Survey: Nearly 70% of HK Secondary Students Show High Perfectionism; 31% Fear of Failure
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A survey conducted by the UNICEF Youth Advocate Research Team has uncovered worrying trends regarding perfectionism among Hong Kong's youth. The study, which interviewed 378 secondary school students aged 12 to 17, found that 67% consider themselves to have high perfectionism tendencies . Health experts are calling for greater support mechanisms as the pressure to succeed takes a significant toll on young people's wellbeing.
Key Points
- Survey of 378 Hong Kong secondary students aged 12-17 conducted by UNICEF Youth Advocate Research Team found 67% identify as highly perfectionist, with 70% observing similar traits among peers
- Only 24% view perfectionism positively as a driving force for self-improvement, while 49% associate it with setting unrealistically high standards that lead to disappointment
- Among respondents, 31% attribute their perfectionism to fear of failure, followed by peer pressure at 21% and family expectations at 19%
- Over 83% reported experiencing academic burnout or persistent stress, 60% displayed depression or severe procrastination, and 58% said relationships were affected
- 37% experienced weekly stress-related symptoms including fatigue, sleep disorders, and gastrointestinal problems
- Chan Chi-ching, representing the UNICEF research team, noted that excessive concern about others' views creates mental pressure and damages friendships
- Lingnan University psychology scholar Law On-ting identified conditional parental love and social media as key contributors to unhealthy perfectionism
Why It Matters
The findings highlight a critical mental health crisis brewing in Hong Kong's younger generation, where academic pressure and social comparison are taking a measurable physical and psychological toll . With the Education Bureau being urged to review school counselor allocations and implement peer support programs, the survey could trigger systemic changes in how the city addresses student mental wellbeing.
The findings highlight a critical mental health crisis brewing in Hong Kong's younger generation, where academic pressure and social comparison are taking a measurable physical and psychological toll . With the Education Bureau being urged to review school counselor allocations and implement peer support programs, the survey could trigger systemic changes in how the city addresses student mental wellbeing.