Page 9 - R&KT Flipping Book - Issue 5, Dec 2016

highlights
Research Reveals that Spiritual Health Issue FIve

is Key to Promoting School Engagement

Dr Yuen suggests that spiritual health promotes positive
In a study recently conducted by The Education attitudes towards life and releases students’ potential to face
University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), local Chinese life challenges, thus having a direct and significant impact on
students scored below average in spiritual health. school engagement. Faced by unprecedented challenges in a
Moreover, Hong Kong mainstream Chinese rapidly changing society with pluralistic social values, political
students (HKMCS) reported lower levels of school differences and diverse family backgrounds, Hong Kong youth
engagement than Chinese immigrant students have a strong sense of helplessness. Dr Yuen says that spiritual
(CIS) and cross-boundary students (CBS). development is an effective safety net by facilitating students’
positive thinking and inspiring them towards their full potential
in learning. The research team thus recommends that spiritual
health be incorporated into the core curriculum to enhance the
Led by Dr Celeste Yuen Yuet-mui, Associate Professor and
development of positive values among students.
Associate Head of Department of Education Policy and Leadership
(EPL), the study involved conducting a questionnaire survey of
over 14,000 students at 30 local secondary schools between April
2015 and March 2016.
HKMCS only scored 2.28 on a 6-point Likert scale in terms of
spirituality. Both CIS and CBS reported even lower levels. This
suggests that all three groups are not accustomed to finding relief
from “the Divine” when they have problems in life. HKMCS scored
lower in the physical and psychological aspects than CIS and CBS
did.
In terms of school engagement, HKMCS scored significantly lower
than CBS and CIS (except parental care) across parental care, peer
support, teachers’ care and support, and self-efficacy.
Additionally, both CBS and CIS had higher aspirations for pursuing
university education than HKMCS. These findings highlight the
fact that HKMCS are not as positive and ambitious as CBS and CIS
in relation to their future education and career advancement.

Dr Celeste Yuen Yuet-mui, Associate Professor of Department
of Education Policy and Leadership at EdUHK

Dr Yuen answers questions raised by reporters in the press release.

R & KT News 9