Browsing by Theses - Programme "Master of Social Sciences in Psychology"

Studies revealed big gap between high percentage of undergraduates with reported mental health difficulties (i.e. more than 20%; Wong, Cheung, Chan, Ma, & Wa Tang, 2006) and low utilization of free university counselling service (UCS) (i.e. 3.1%; Hong Kong Government, 2016). The present study measured the general mental health condition of full-time university students, their coping style, relevant stigma and help-seeking pattern within the conceptual framework of help-seeking proposed by Rickwood and Thomas (2012) and using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB; Ajzen, 1985). 110 full-time university students from 9 universities completed questionnaire during final examination period. The sample had mild depression and moderate anxiety as measured using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale; preferred selfcoping style like acceptance, planning, active coping, positive reframing, self-blame and self-distraction. Despite low stigma towards mental illness and towards seeking psychological help, the intention to seek help from UCS was still significantly lower than that from friends and other informal sources. Result from multiple linear regression revealed that attitude and subjective norm towards help-seeking as well as the stress severity significantly predicted intention to seek help from university counselling services. Promotion of mental health first-aid in campus is needed so peers know what to do and make proper referral to UCS when necessary. Future direction of research could be on the possibility to utilize peer supporters or mentors in the university’s counselling system.

59 pages

This study examined how Dark Triad traits (i.e., narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy,) associated with relationship satisfaction, and the mediating effects of as well as the interplay among relationship length, positive factors (i.e., responsiveness to other’s needs, inclusion of the other, relationship growth mindset, sexual growth mindset, and sexual satisfaction), and negative factors (i.e., relationship destiny mindset, and sexual destiny mindset). Self-report data were gathered in an online survey by employing standard questionnaires from participants (N = 203) consisted of straight (n = 121) and LGBT (n = 82). Unexpectedly, results showed no correlations between Dark Triad traits and relationship satisfaction, but relationship length appeared to be associated with Dark Triad traits, as well as some positive and negative factors. This revealed the potential to further investigate in the future on the possibilities which relationship length might bring. This study also looked into the differences of gender and sexual orientation on all major variables, which showed some significant results but required further studies to prove them conclusive mainly due to the imbalance ratio of male and female in LGBT and straights in the sample.

81 pages

47 pages

Exercise has been found to be important to health (Galán, Meseguer, Herruzo, & Rodríguez-Artalejo, 2010; Piko & Keresztes, 2006; Tessier et al., 20). However, fatigue is one of the main reason undermining the quality of exercise performance (van, d. W., Prins, Vercoulen, van, d. M., & Bleijenberg, 2000; Vercoulen et al., 1997). On the other hand, recent studies about self control have reached their interest to exercise. It has been tested that the failure of self-control, also known as ego-depletion, would predict worse exercise performance (Dorris et al., 2012; MacMahon, Schücker, Hagemann, & Strauss, 2014). Nonetheless, latest studies of the implicit theory about willpower was found to be determinant on the ability of self-control, which suggested that people endorsing a non-limited resource theory are less likely suffer from ego-depletion and their abilities of self-control remain intact (Job, Dweck, & Walton, 2010). The present study aims at exploring the effect of implicit theory on exercise. A correlational design was employed. Participants (N = 123) filled in questionnaires which assess their belief in willpower, exercise frequency and intensity, and chronic fatigue. Two hypotheses were tested for this purpose. First, the correlation between implicit theory and fatigue was found to be significant. This implies the more belief in limited theory is correlated with a higher level of fatigue. Second, the moderation effect of implicit theory onto the relationship between fatigue and vigorous activity frequency was found to be significant. This implies a limited theorist would conduct vigorous activity less frequently under a high level of fatigue, but a non-limited theorist would conduct vigorous activity more frequently under a high level of fatigue. The results suggest that non-limited theorists possess two advantages of exercise. They experience lower level of fatigue and tend to exercise more even under a higher level of fatigue. These findings allow us to know more about implicit theory of willpower and how it is related to exercise.

50 pages

46 pages

The aim of the study was to investigate the mediation effect of mindful parenting on the relationship of parental self-efficacy and parent-child attachment of Hong Kong Chinese parents of young children who are in the range of two to six years old. 191 parents participated in the study and results supported the significance in the correlations among all variables as well as the mediator effect of mindful parenting on the relationship between parental self-efficacy and parent-child attachment. The implications of the mediating effect further shed the light on how mindful parent should move on, together with the program incorporating with parent self-efficacy in yield the best outcome in the parent-child relationship. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.

viii, 45 pages

Being a workaholic is detrimental by previous research. By using job-demand resources model, this research aims to investigate how three aspects of job demand (work overload, role ambiguity and role conflict) and perfectionism are inter-related to workaholism in Hong Kong context by using a questionnaire survey to 120 employees. Correlation and regression had been used to analysis the relationship between the factors. The result showed that job demand (work overload, role ambiguity and role conflict) are positively correlated with workaholism and perfectionism is also positively correlated with workaholism for Hong Kong employees.

59 pages