School-based prevention for adolescent Internet addiction: prevention is the key. A systematic literature review

Adolescents’ media use represents a normative need for information, communication, recreation and functionality, yet problematic Internet use has increased. Given the arguably alarming prevalence rates worldwide and the increasingly problematic use of gaming and social media, the need for an integration of prevention efforts appears to be timely. The aim of this systematic literature review is (i) to identify school-based prevention programmes or protocols for Internet Addiction targeting adolescents within the school context and to examine the programmes’ effectiveness, and (ii) to highlight strengths, limitations, and best practices to inform the design of new initiatives, by capitalizing on these studies’ recommendations. The findings of the reviewed studies to date presented mixed outcomes and are in need of further empirical evidence. The current review identified the following needs to be addressed in future designs to: (i) define the clinical status of Internet Addiction more precisely, (ii) use more current psychometrically robust assessment tools for the measurement of effectiveness (based on the most recent empirical developments), (iii) reconsider the main outcome of Internet time reduction as it appears to be problematic, (iv) build methodologically sound evidence-based prevention programmes, (v) focus on skill enhancement and the use of protective and harm-reducing factors, and (vi) include IA as one of the risk behaviours in multi-risk behaviour interventions. These appear to be crucial factors in addressing future research designs and the formulation of new prevention initiatives. Validated findings could then inform promising strategies for IA and gaming prevention in public policy and education

Compensated Dating in Hong Kong: Prevalence, Psychosocial Correlates, and Relationships with Other Risky Behaviors

Study Objective: We sought to study the prevalence of the compensated dating (CD) phenomenon among early adolescents in Hong Kong and to identify psychosocial correlates of CD, particularly basic demographic factors, positive youth development (PYD) qualities, and perceived family functioning. Design and Participants: In 2010, during the Wave 2 data collection of a 6-year longitudinal study on PYD in Hong Kong, 3,638 Grade 8 students were surveyed. Results: (a) For prevalence rate of CD, less than 3% of the respondents had ever engaged in CD; (b) Males reported a higher percentage of CD than females did; (c) Different measures of PYD and perceived family functioning were negatively related to adolescents' CD behavior; (d) Higher levels of PYD and better mutual support, love, and concern among family members were related to a lower level of CD; and (e) A mild relationship was found between CD and substance abuse. Conclusions: Although the prevalence rate of CD was not high, it was alarming. CD was related to other forms of risky behavior. Higher levels of PYD and better family functioning were negatively related to CD.Department of Applied Social Science

A Longitudinal Study of Compensated Dating and Juvenile Prostitution Behaviors Among Adolescents in Hong Kong

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine longitudinal changes in compensated dating (CD) and juvenile prostitution (JP) behaviors and related psychosocial correlates among Hong Kong adolescents.DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this study, adolescent CD and JP behaviors were examined in 3 waves (namely wave 2, 3, and 4) of a longitudinal study. At wave 2 (2010-2011), 3638 secondary 2 students (grade 8) from 28 schools participated in the study (mean age, 13.60 years; SD = 0.72). In the following 2 academic years (2011-2012 and 2012-2013), they were invited to respond to the same questionnaire. A total of 2921 students completed the questionnaire in 3 waves and their results were analyzed.RESULTS: The number of CD cases was higher than JP cases. Although there was a decline in CD cases at wave 4, the number of JP cases increased at wave 4. Although there was some support for the influence of family intactness and positive youth development on CD and JP, the evidence was not strong. The effects of gender, economic disadvantage, and family functioning on CD and JP were not significant.CONCLUSION: There was a decrease in CD but an increase in JP in the 3 waves of data. However, there was a fluctuation of CD over the years which made it difficult to identify a stable pattern. Some possible explanations for such a fluctuation and the related nonsignificant findings are proposed.Department of Applied Social Science