Lo, Man-Chung, SoniaMan-Chung, SoniaLo2012-10-112012-10-112012http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11861/847Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.) -- Hong Kong Shue Yan University, 2012.Includes bibliographical references (p. 55-64).vii, 75 p.The purpose of this study was to examine the effects on parenting styles and play beliefs on parental preferences for play activities in Hong Kong. A total of 101 participants were included in this study. In attempt to test the proposed hypothesis, a questionnaire survey approach was adopted for the present study, Parenting Style Questionnaire (Robinson, Mandleco, Olsen & Hart, 1995) and Parent Play Beliefs Scale (Fogle & Mendez, 2006) were used to measure the parenting scale and their beliefs in play respectively. A weekly record of children’s play was used to measure the average time which the participants’ children spent in structured, unstructured and non-play activities. Significant correlation coefficients were found between: (1) mothers’ time spent with children and non-play activity time; (2) authoritarian parenting and unstructured play time; and, (3) beliefs in play focus and structured play time. Linear Regression Analysis further confirmed that the authoritarian parenting and belief in academic focus could predict unstructured play time. These findings suggested that the quantity and quality of play were dependent on parents’ beliefs. Parents’ support, respect and promotion of the right to play were paramount to children’s holistic development. Further research should be conducted to investigate the long term effects on children’s development through parent-child relationship and their experiences in play.eng chiParenting.Psychology, Clinical.Thesis