Options
Perception and decision factors of going facebook official among emerging adults in Hong Kong
Author(s)
Date Issued
2015
Publisher
Hong Kong: Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Description
Hong Kong Shue Yan University. Dept. of Counselling and Psychology.
Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.) -- Hong Kong Shue Yan University, 2015.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-104).
xi, 119 p.
Type
Thesis
Programme
Master of Social Sciences in Counselling Psychology
Abstract
Facebook has become a necessity and integrated part of living especially among young adults. One of the developmental tasks for this age is to develop intimacy. Going Facebook official (FBO) is one of the most related features for romantic relationship manifestation and development in Facebook. The current study aimed to investigate the FBO phenomenon and the associated concerns for the decision among
young Hong Kong adults. A sequential mixed method design was employed. Three focus groups representing various relationship stages were conducted. Multiple culturally specific decision factors on going FBO were found by grounded theory, including Couple Relationship, Interpersonal Characters, Perceived FBO Meaning, and Societal Concerns, and were used to develop a FBO decision factor model.
Pragmatic care and humility were found to be highly valued in Chinese cultures while peers norm, family’s view and face, were fundamental social factors to be considered for going FBO. No differences were found among gender or stage of relationship. In the second phase of the study, 289 participants filled out questionnaires. Results found that most people did not choose to go FBO and that there were no differences in relationship satisfaction by comparing the FBO group and the non-FBO group. Females reported higher agreement on perceiving FBO as a social response as well as concern about family and face for the decision of FBO. Triangulation of the results from both phases provided credibility for the findings. The current findings provide culturally specific counseling suggestions to couple therapy for young Hong Kong Chinese.
Availability at HKSYU Library

