Determinants of Hong Kong Secondary Students’ Senses of Belonging to School, City, Country, and the World

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This proposed study informs policy, procedures and activities/interventions via (a) understanding the status quo senses of belonging of Hong Kong adolescent students, (b) identifying their antecedents, and (c) making recommendations. First, this study will produce knowledge regarding Hong Kong students’ current levels of belonging, their conflicts or compatibilities, and their navigation of multiple identities. Second, we will identify significant antecedents of belonging across levels and their mechanisms. Both of these will inform our recommendations to schools, government agencies, and local community organizations. For example, the study will shed light and provide evidence on the viabilities of the youth innovation and entrepreneurship programs in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (for facilitating national belonging), or the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth (for facilitating city belonging). Resolving identity struggles and strengthening sense of belonging across levels will support youths’ positive emotions, sense of security, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and physiological well-being.