Citation

Mak MHJ. Illn. Crises Loss 2011; 19(4): 309-327.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.2190/IL.19.4.b

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Open and public discussion of death remains one of the greatest social taboos in Chinese communities. Little is known about adolescents' perceptions of death and dying. However, suicide has been the leading cause of death among young people since 1999 in Hong Kong. There is a need to understand the needs and concerns of these young people. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the adolescents' knowledge and attitudes on death and related issues. The sample included 30 Chinese secondary students. The results revealed that these adolescents seldom talked and learned about death and related issues at home or in school. As they conceptualized their views on death and dying, they identified three significant factors: their experiences with death, the mass media, and religious beliefs. Most participants did not know much about death and dying and their emotions toward death varied. Noticeably, 20% of them expressed suicide ideation at some stages of their lives when they were not able to cope with life difficulties. Accordingly, most participants supported the inclusion of the study of death and dying and the value of life in school curricula. Some implications for future education, education policy, and research are suggested. © 2011, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

Chinese secondary students; death and dying; death education; life education