Pediatrics Commons^™

Internet Addiction Phenomenon In Early Adolescents In Hong Kong, Daniel T. L. Shek, Lu Yu

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The present study investigated the prevalence and demographic correlates of Internet addiction in Hong Kong adolescents as well as the change in related behavior at two time points over a one-year interval. Two waves of data were collected from a large sample of students (Wave 1: 3,328 students, age = 12.59 ± 0.74 years; Wave 2: 3,580 students, age = 13.50 ± 0.75 years) at 28 secondary schools in Hong Kong. Comparable to findings at Wave 1 (26.4%), 26.7% of the participants met the criterion of Internet addiction at Wave 2 as measured by Young's 10-item Internet Addiction Test. The …

Effectiveness Of The Project P.A.T.H.S. In Hong Kong: Evaluation Based On Different Strategies And Different Studies Over Time, Daniel T. L. Shek, Hing Keung Ma, Joav Merrick

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

No abstract.

Participants' Evaluation Of The Project P.A.T.H.S.: Are Findings Based On Different Datasets Consistent?, Daniel T. L. Shek, Rachel C. F. Sun

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Subjective outcome evaluation findings based on the perspective of the participants of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) in nine datasets collected from 2005 to 2009 (n = 206, 313 program participants) were examined in this paper. Based on the consolidated data with schools as units, results showed that the participants generally had positive perceptions of the program, implementers, and benefits of the program. More than four-fifths of the participants regarded the program as beneficial to their holistic development. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the perceived qualities of the program and the program implementers predicted perceived …

Does Initial Shunt Type For The Norwood Procedure Affect Echocardiographic Measures Of Cardiac Size And Function During Infancy?: The Single Vventricle Reconstruction Trial., Peter C. Frommelt, Lin T. Guey, L Luann Minich, Majeed Bhat, Tim J. Bradley, Steve D. Colan, Greg Ensing, Jessica Gorentz, Haleh Heydarian, J Blaine John, Wyman W. Lai, Jami C. Levine, William T. Mahle, Stephen G. Miller, Richard G. Ohye, Gail D. Pearson, Girish S. Shirali, Pierre C. Wong, Meryl S. Cohen, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: The Pediatric Heart Network trial comparing outcomes in 549 infants with single right ventricle undergoing a Norwood procedure randomized to modified Blalock-Taussig shunt or right ventricle-pulmonary artery shunt (RVPAS) found better 1-year transplant-free survival in those who received RVPAS. We sought to compare the impact of shunt type on echocardiographic indices of cardiac size and function up to 14 months of age.

METHODS AND RESULTS: A core laboratory measured indices of cardiac size and function from protocol exams: early after Norwood procedure (age 22.5 ± 13.4 days), before stage II procedure (age 4.8 ± 1.8 months), and at 14 …

Process Evaluation Of A Positive Youth Development Program In Hong Kong Based On Different Cohorts, Ben M. F. Law, Daniel T. L. Shek

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

There are only a few process evaluation studies on positive youth development programs, particularly in the Chinese context. This study aims to examine the quality of implementation of a positive youth development program (the Project P.A.T.H.S.: Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) and investigate the relationships among program adherence, process factors, implementation quality, and perceived program success. Process evaluation of 97 classroom-based teaching units was conducted in 62 schools from 2005 to 2009. Findings based on different cohorts generally showed that there were high overall program adherence and implementation quality. Program adherence and implementation process were highly correlated with …

Interim Evaluation Of The Project P.A.T.H.S.: Findings Based On Different Datasets, Daniel T. L. Shek, Lu Yu

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Interim evaluation studies were carried out in order to examine the implementation details of the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) in Hong Kong. Quantitative results of the interim evaluation findings based on eight datasets collected from 2006 to 2009 are reported in this paper. Three hundred and seventy-eight schools were randomly selected to provide information on the implementation details of the program via face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, and self-completed questionnaires. Results showed that a majority of the workers perceived that the students had positive responses to the program and the program …

Qualitative Evaluation Of Project P.A.T.H.S.: An Integration Of Findings Based On Program Participants, Daniel T. L. Shek, Rachel C. F. Sun

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

An integration of the qualitative evaluation findings collected in different cohorts of students who participated in Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) (n = 252 students in 29 focus groups) was carried out. With specific focus on how the informants described the program, results showed that the descriptions were mainly positive in nature, suggesting that the program was well received by the program participants. When the informants were invited to name three metaphors that could stand for the program, positive metaphors were commonly used. Beneficial effects of the program in different psychosocial domains were also voiced by …

Factor Structure Of A Multidimensional Gender Identity Scale In A Sample Of Chinese Elementary School Children, Lu Yu, Dong Xie, Daniel T. L. Shek

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

This study examined the factor structure of a scale based on the four-dimensional gender identity model (Egan and Perry, 2001) in 726 Chinese elementary school students. Exploratory factor analyses suggested a three-factor model, two of which corresponded to "Felt Pressure" and "Intergroup Bias" in the original model. The third factor "Gender Compatibility" appeared to be a combination of "Gender Typicality" and "Gender Contentment" in the original model. Follow-up confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated that, relative to the initial four-factor structure, the three-factor model fits the current Chinese sample better. These results are discussed in light of cross-cultural similarities and differences …

Program Implementers' Evaluation Of The Project P.A.T.H.S.: Findings Based On Different Datasets Over Time, Daniel T. L. Shek, Cecilia M. S. Ma

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

This paper integrates the evaluation findings based on program implementers in nine datasets collected from 2005 to 2009 (244 schools and 7,926 implementers). Using consolidated data with schools as the unit of analysis, results showed that program implementers generally had positive perceptions of the program, themselves, and benefits of the program, with more than four-fifths of the implementers regarding the program as beneficial to the program participants. The subjective outcome evaluation instrument was found to be internally consistent. Multiple regression analyses revealed that perceived qualities of the program and program implementers predicted perceived effectiveness of the program. In conjunction with …

Recognition For Positive Behavior As A Critical Youth Development Construct: Conceptual Bases And Implications On Youth Service Development, Ben M. F. Law, Andrew M. H. Siu, Daniel T. L. Shek

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Recognition for positive behavior is an appropriate response of the social environment to elicit desirable external behavior among the youth. Such positive responses, rendered from various social systems, include tangible and intangible reinforcements. The following theories are used to explain the importance of recognizing positive behavior: operational conditioning, observational learning, self-determination, and humanistic perspective. In the current work, culturally and socially desirable behaviors are discussed in detail with reference to Chinese adolescents. Positive behavior recognition is especially important to adolescent development because it promotes identity formation as well as cultivates moral reasoning and social perspective thinking from various social systems. …

Novel Napi-Iic Mutations Causing Hhrh And Idiopathic Hypercalciuria In Several Unrelated Families: Long-Term Follow-Up In One Kindred., Y Yu, S R. Sanderson, M Reyes, A Sharma, N Dunbar, Tarak Srivastava, H Jüppner, C Bergwitz

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations in SLC34A3, the gene encoding the sodium-dependent co-transporter NaPi-IIc, cause hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria (HHRH), a disorder characterized by renal phosphate-wasting resulting in hypophosphatemia, elevated 1,25(OH)(2) vitamin D levels, hypercalciuria, rickets/osteomalacia, and frequently kidney stones or nephrocalcinosis. Similar albeit less severe biochemical changes are also observed in heterozygous carriers, which are furthermore indistinguishable from those encountered in idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH). We now searched for SLC34A3 mutations (exons and introns) in two previously not reported HHRH kindreds, which resulted in the identification of three novel mutations. The affected members of kindred A were compound heterozygous …

Early Developmental Outcome In Children With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome And Related Anomalies: The Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial., Jane W. Newburger, Lynn A. Sleeper, David C. Bellinger, Caren S. Goldberg, Sarah Tabbutt, Minmin Lu, Kathleen A. Mussatto, Ismee A. Williams, Kathryn E. Gustafson, Seema Mital, Nancy Pike, Erica Sood, William T. Mahle, David S. Cooper, Carolyn Dunbar-Masterson, Catherine Dent Krawczeski, Alan Lewis, Shaji C. Menon, Victoria L. Pemberton, Chitra Ravishankar, Teresa W. Atz, Richard G. Ohye, J William Gaynor, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators, Girish S. Shirali

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Survivors of the Norwood procedure may experience neurodevelopmental impairment. Clinical trials to improve outcomes have focused primarily on methods of vital organ support during cardiopulmonary bypass.

METHODS AND RESULTS: In the Single Ventricle Reconstruction trial of the Norwood procedure with modified Blalock-Taussig shunt versus right-ventricle-to-pulmonary-artery shunt, 14-month neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed by use of the Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) and Mental Development Index (MDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II. We used multivariable regression to identify risk factors for adverse outcome. Among 373 transplant-free survivors, 321 (86%) returned at age 14.3 ± 1.1 (mean ± SD) months. Mean …

Spirituality As A Positive Youth Development Construct: A Conceptual Review, Daniel T. L. Shek

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The concept of spirituality as a positive youth development construct is reviewed in this paper. Both broad and narrow definitions of spirituality are examined and a working definition of spirituality is proposed. Regarding theories of spirituality, different models pertinent to spiritual development and the relationship between spirituality and positive youth development are highlighted. Different ecological factors, particularly family and peer influences, were found to influence spirituality. Research on the influence of spirituality on adolescent developmental outcomes is examined. Finally, ways to promote adolescent spirituality are discussed.

Beliefs In The Future As A Positive Youth Development Construct: A Conceptual Review, Rachel C. F. Sun, Daniel T. L. Shek

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Beliefs in the future are an internalization of hope and optimism about future outcomes. This paper reviews and compares several theories of hope and optimism and highlights the features constituting beliefs in the future. This paper points out that beliefs in the future include a series of goal-directed thoughts and motivation, such as setting up valued and attainable goals, planning pathways, and maintaining self-confidence and mastery, so as to keep adolescents engaged in the pursuit of goals. This kind of personal mastery, together with sociocultural values, family, school, and peers are the antecedents leading to beliefs in the future, which …

Impact Of The Project P.A.T.H.S. In The Junior Secondary School Years: Objective Outcome Evaluation Based On Eight Waves Of Longitudinal Data, Daniel T. L. Shek, Cecilia M. S. Ma

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

To assess the effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S., a randomized group trial with eight waves of data collected was carried out. At the fifth year of data collection, 19 experimental schools (n = 2, 662 students) and 24 control schools (n = 3, 272 students) participated in the study. Analyses based on individual growth curve modeling showed that participants in the experimental schools displayed better positive youth development than did participants in the control schools in terms of different indicators derived from the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale, including moral competence and behavioral competence and …

Personal Construction Of Cough Medicine Among Young Substance Abusers In Hong Kong, Daniel T. L. Shek

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Although cough medicine abuse is a growing problem in many places, there is no study examining the views of young substance abusers toward cough medicine. The objective of this study was to examine personal constructions of cough medicine abusers via the repertory grid tests (N = 11). Several observations are highlighted from the study. First, personal constructions of cough medicine were mixed, including the benefits and harmful effects of its abuse. Second, although the informants perceived cough medicine to be addictive and harmful, they perceived cough medicine to be less addictive and less harmful than did heroin. Third, while the …

Evaluation Of The Project P.A.T.H.S. Based On Students' Weekly Diaries: Findings From Eight Datasets, Daniel T. L. Shek, Rachel C. F. Sun

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (positive adolescent training through holistic social programmes) based on eight datasets collected between 2005 and 2009. A total of 1,138 students who participated in the program were randomly invited (from the whole grade or in some classes) to write a piece of journal in the form of a weekly diary in order to reveal their perceptions and feelings regarding the program and the perceived benefits of the program. Based on an integration of findings from different databases, results showed that the respondents generally (1) …

Evaluation Of A Positive Youth Development Program Based On The Repertory Grid Test, Daniel T. L. Shek

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The repertory grid test, based on personal construct psychology, was used to evaluate the effectiveness of Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) in Hong Kong. One hundred and four program participants (n = 104) were randomly invited to complete a repertory grid based on personal construct theory in order to provide both quantitative and qualitative data for measuring self-identity changes after joining the program. Findings generally showed that the participants perceived that they understood themselves better and had stronger resilience after joining the program. Participants also saw themselves as closer to their ideal selves and other positive …

Qualitative Evaluation Of The Project P.A.T.H.S.: An Integration Of Findings Based On Program Implementers, Daniel T. L. Shek

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

An integration of the qualitative evaluation findings collected from program implementers conducting the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) in different years (n = 177 participants in 36 focus groups) was carried out. General qualitative data analyses utilizing intra and interrater reliability techniques were performed. Results showed that the descriptors used to describe the program and the metaphors named by the informants that could stand for the program were generally positive in nature. Program participants also perceived the program to be beneficial to the development of the students in different psychosocial domains. The present study further supports …

Positive Youth Development Constructs: Conceptual Review And Application, Daniel T. L. Shek, Rachel C. F. Sun, Joav Merrick

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Self-Harm And Suicidal Behaviors In Hong Kong Adolescents: Prevalence And Psychosocial Correlates, Daniel T. L. Shek, Lu Yu

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The present paper examined the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of adolescent deliberate self-harm (DSH) and suicidal behavior in a representative sample of 3,328 secondary school students in Hong Kong. With reference to the previous year, 32.7% of the students reported at least one form of DSH, 13.7% of the respondents had suicide thoughts, 4.9% devised specific suicidal plans, and 4.7% had actually attempted suicide. Adolescent girls had significantly higher rates of DSH and suicidal behavior than did adolescent boys. Having remarried parents was related to an increased likelihood of DSH and suicide. While high levels of family functioning, overall positive …

Evaluation Of The Training Program Of The Project P.A.T.H.S.: Findings Based On The Perspective Of The Participants From Different Cohorts, Daniel T. L. Shek, Yammy L. Y. Chak

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Subjective outcome evaluation findings based on the perspective of the participants participating in a 3-day training program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. are reported in this paper. The findings were based on the data collected from the training workshops conducted between 2005 and 2009 (N = 4.167). Results showed that the respondents had good and positive perceptions of the training program and found it very valuable, particularly with respect to training instructors and familiarization with the project. Besides, the training participants were able to acquire attitude, knowledge and skills that are conducive to the successful implementation of the program. Based on …

Subjective Outcome Evaluation And Factors Related To Perceived Effectiveness Of The Project P.A.T.H.S. In Hong Kong, Daniel T. L. Shek, Lu Yu, Vicky Y. T. Ho

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Based on a sample of 24,457 participated students, the present study investigated participants' subjective evaluation of the Tier 2 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in the 2009/2010 academic year. Participants generally held positive views toward the Tier 2 Program and program instructor and perceived the program to be beneficial to their development. Programs involving adolescents alone were evaluated more positively than programs involving parents and/or teachers. Students' grade and program type did not show significant impact on participants' subjective evaluation of the project. Consistent with previous reports, perceived effectiveness of the program was significantly predicted by students' perceptions about the …

The Project P.A.T.H.S. In Hong Kong--Lessons Learned And Implications For Positive Youth Development Programs, Daniel T. L. Shek, Rachel C. F. Sun

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The Project P.A.T.H.S. is a positive youth development program which attempts to promote holistic development of junior secondary schools in Hong Kong. It is ground breaking in terms of the number of schools participating in the project and financial resources injected into the project. Based on the experiences gained from the implementation of the project and evaluation data collected from 2005 to 2011, several issues pertinent to the development of positive youth development programs in the Chinese culture are discussed. These issues include complexity of program development, importance of training, identification of factors governing program implementation, need for evaluation, and …

Helping Adolescents With Greater Psychosocial Needs: Subjective Outcome Evaluation Based On Different Cohorts, Daniel T. L. Shek, Tak Yan Lee

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The Tier 2 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) is designed to help students with greater psychosocial needs. This paper examines nine sets of subjective outcome evaluation data collected from 2005 to 2009 (n = 60, 241 participants). Based on the consolidated data with schools as units, results showed that participants generally had positive perceptions of the program, implementers, and benefits of the program. The subjective outcome evaluation instrument was found to be internally consistent. Multiple regression analysis revealed that perceived qualities of the program and the program implementers predicted perceived effectiveness of the …

Longitudinal Impact Of The Project Paths On Adolescent Risk Behavior: What Happened After Five Years?, Daniel T. L. Shek, Lu Yu

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The present study investigated the longitudinal impact of the Project PATHS, a large-scale curriculum-based positive youth development program in Hong Kong, on the development of adolescents' risk behavior over a period of five years. Using a longitudinal randomized controlled design, eight waves of data were collected from 19 experimental schools in which students participated in the Project PATHS (N = 2,850 at Wave 8) and 24 control schools without joining the Project PATHS (N = 3,640 at Wave 8). At each wave, students responded to measures assessing their current risk behaviors, including delinquency, use of different types of drug, and …

The Long And Short Of It: The Role Of Telomeres In Fetal Origins Of Adult Disease., Stephanie E Hallows, Timothy Regnault, Dean H Betts

Paediatrics Publications

Placental insufficiency, maternal malnutrition, and other causes of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can significantly affect short-term growth and long-term health. Following IUGR, there is an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes. The etiology of these diseases is beginning to be elucidated, and premature aging or cellular senescence through increased oxidative stress and DNA damage to telomeric ends may be initiators of these disease processes. This paper will explore the areas where telomere and telomerase biology can have significant effects on various tissues in the body in IUGR outcomes.

Project P.A.T.H.S. In Hong Kong: New Curriculum In Response To Adolescent Developmental Issues, Hing Keung Ma, Daniel T. L. Shek, Joav Merrick

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

No abstract.

A Brief Overview Of Adolescent Developmental Problems In Hong Kong, Daniel T. L. Shek, Hing Keung Ma, Rachel C. F. Sun

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Several adolescent developmental problems in Hong Kong are briefly reviewed in this paper. First, rising adolescent substance abuse trends are described. Second, Internet use problems and Internet addiction among young people are examined. Third, worrying trends in adolescent sexuality are identified. Fourth, phenomena on bullying among young people are reviewed. Finally, phenomena related to adolescent materialistic orientation are focused upon. With reference to these adolescent developmental problems, possible solutions are briefly discussed particularly with reference to the ecological perspective. It is argued that the related scientific literature provides useful pointers for designing the curriculum in the extension phase of the …

Development Of A New Curriculum In A Positive Youth Development Program: The Project P.A.T.H.S. In Hong Kong, Daniel T. L. Shek, Hing Keung Ma, Rachel C. F. Sun

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The design of a new curriculum in a positive youth development program (Project P.A.T.H.S.) in Hong Kong is outlined. The Tier 1 Program of the original phase of the Project P.A.T.H.S. is a universal positive youth development program for students in Secondary 1 to Secondary 3 with the curricula developed by a research team comprising scholars in different disciplines (e.g., social work, psychology, and education). The 120 teaching units are designed with reference to 15 positive youth development constructs identified in the successful positive youth development programs. In the extension phase of the project, a new curriculum with 60 teaching …