HOPE AND LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN HONG KONG: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Poverty is a long-standing problem in developing and developed countries alike. It not only affects people's health and well-being but may also create the social burden if not addressed appropriately. The present study of 150 children (aged 7-12 years) examines how the disadvantaged children's personal attribute interacts with the environment in developing their well-being. Structural equation modeling provides evidence to our understanding of children who grow up in poverty. Not only are both hopeful thinking and perceived community support predictive of the children's satisfaction with life, but the perceived community support also plays a critical mediating role in the influence of hope on life satisfaction. This finding matches resilience literature, that to overcome great odds and to achieve well-being, factors both within the individual and external sources of support, are also important in interactional ways. It also highlights the critical role of availability of community resources and support.