Paul S.N. Lee

Multiple determinants of life quality: the roles of internet activities, use of new media, social support, and leisure activities

The quest for quality of life (QoL) is a growing concern for individuals and communities seeking to find sustainable life satisfaction in a technologically changing world. Industry, consumer groups, academics, and policy makers have sought to better understand how the Internet contributes to or detracts from society. This study examined the effects of Internet activities, new media use, social support, and leisure activities on perceived quality of life. Correlational results showed that Internet activities, such as using the Internet for sociability, fun seeking and information seeking, and new media use, correlate positively with various dimensions of social support. However, use of the Internet, especially for sociability, and computer use were inversely linked to QoL. Furthermore, hierarchical regression analysis revealed that affectionate, positive social interaction, and emotional and informational social support, received from either online or offline sources, are the strongest determinants of quality of life. More important, QoL can also be enhanced if suitable amounts of time are spent on media-related activities, namely, less time on using the Internet for intimate self-disclosure and in playing computer games, and more time on listening to music on CD/MD/ MP3. Finally, participating in community or religious activities for leisure was also a significant predictor of QoL. Implications regarding policy formulation to improve life quality are discussed.

The influences of information literacy, internet addiction and parenting styles on internet risks

The purpose of this study is to examine how demographics, addiction symptoms, information literacy, parenting styles and internet activities can predict ‘internet risks’. Data were gathered from a probability sample of 718 adolescents and teenagers, aged 9–19 in Hong Kong, using face-to-face interviews. Results show that adolescents who are often targets of harassment tend to be older boys with a high family income. They are targets probably because they spend a lot of time on social networking sites (SNSs) and prefer the online setting. Adolescents who encounter a lot of unwelcome solicitation of personal or private information online tend to be older girls. In information literacy, they are generally very competent with publishing tools but are not structurally literate, especially in understanding how information is socially situated and produced. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Impact of Internet Literacy, Internet Addiction Symptoms, and Internet Activities on Academic Performance

This study examines the interrelationships among Internet literacy, Internet addiction symptoms, Internet activities, and academic performance. Data were gathered from a probability sample of 718 children and adolescents, aged 9–19, in Hong Kong, using face-to-face interviews. Regression results show that adolescent Internet addicts tended to be male, in low-income families, and not confident in locating, browsing, and accessing information from multiple resources, but that they were technologically savvy and frequent users of social networking sites (SNS) and online games for leisure. Contrary to what was hypothesized, Internet literacy, especially in publishing and technology, increases—not decreases—the likelihood of someone getting addicted to the Internet. As expected, Internet activities, especially SNS and online games, were significantly and positively linked to Internet addiction as well as to all Internet addiction symptoms. This finding suggests that leisure-oriented Internet activities can be much more addictive than other applications such as communicating by e-mail or browsing webpages. Furthermore, the higher subjects scored on tool and social-structural literacy, the better their academic performance would be; however, technical literacy skills, such as publishing and technology literacy, were not significant predictors for academic performance. This indicates that adolescents who can locate, browse, and access different information resources and who are knowledgable about the context under which the information was created performed better both in overall grades and in academic competence.

Social media and Umbrella Movement: insurgent public sphere in formation

The study examines the role of social media during the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong that lasted from September to December 2014. By interviewing a random sample of 1011 respondents over the telephone before the end of the Umbrella Movement, it was found that social media had become an insurgent public sphere (IPS) in the protest movement. Data showed that acquisition of political news through social media was related positively to support for the Umbrella Movement and adversely with satisfaction and trust of established political authorities, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, the Hong Kong police, and the Chinese central government. The insurgent public sphere role of social media, its implications, and likely development vis-à-vis the state and the market are discussed.

The efficacy, safety and durability of selective renal arterial embolization in treating symptomatic and asymptomatic renal angiomyolipoma.

OBJECTIVE To review the long-term outcome of selective renal arterial embolization (SAE) in treating renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) in both elective and emergency settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between October 1988 and September 2008, 27 patients (28 renal units) were treated with SAE, either on an emergency basis for 15 (53.6%) bleeding AMLs or prophylactically for 13 (46.4%) asymptomatic high-risk (size >4.1 cm) AMLs. Six males and 21 females with a mean age of 46.3 years (range, 26-68) were followed for a mean period of 7.1 years (range, 1.3-20.2) for recurrence of symptoms, need for re-embolization, or need for renal surgery. SAE outcome was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Predictor(s) of outcome were identified with univariate analysis by log-rank test. RESULTS Mean size of AMLs was 10.9 cm (range, 4-30). Eight (29.6%) patients had bilateral and 19 (70.4%) had unilateral AMLs. Seventeen (60.7%) kidneys had solitary AMLs; 11 (39.2%) kidneys had multicentric AMLs. Of the 15 bleeding AMLs, 12 (80%) patients required a blood transfusion. Twenty-six (93%) AMLs were successfully embolized in the first SAE. During follow-up, four (14.8%) patients required re-embolization. Renal surgery was required in four (14.8%) patients. From the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the overall renal surgery sparing rate at 5 years was 85% (95% CI: 71-99%), whereas the single session SAE success rate at 5 years was 63% (95% CI: 42-84%). Of all the variables, only AML >10 cm was significantly associated with the subsequent need for renal surgery (P = .03). No renal malignancy was noted at final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS SAE is effective and durable in preventing large AMLs from bleeding, treating AMLs presenting with bleeding, and sparing the need for renal surgery.

Quality-of-life research in Chinese, Western and global contexts

Quality of Life in the Global Context: A Chinese Response.- Arts and the Quality of Life: An Exploratory Study.- Apparent Quality-of-Life in Nations: How Long and Happy People Live.- Global Quality of Life (QOL), Health and Ability Are Primarily Determined by Our Consciousness. Research Findings from Denmark 1991-2004.- Participatory Partnerships: Engaging and Empowering to Enhance Environmental Management and Quality of Life?.- Marketing and Quality of Life: A Model for Improving Perinatal Health Status.- Quality of Life in Hong Kong: Past Accomplishments and Future Prospects.- The Pre- and Post-1997 Well-Being of Hong Kong Residents.- Quality of Life in Hong Kong: The CUHK Hong Kong Quality of Life Index.- Quality of Life in Older Adults: Benefits from Caring Services in Hong Kong.- An Exploratory Study on the Quality of Life of Older Chinese People Living Alone in Hong Kong.- Economic Stress, Emotional Quality of Life, and Problem Behavior in Chinese Adolescents with and without Economic Disadvantage.- A Longitudinal Study of Chinese Cultural Beliefs about Adversity, Psychological Well-Being, Delinquency and Substance Abuse in Chinese Adolescents with Economic Disadvantage.- The Quality of Life of Hong Kongs Poor Households in the 1990s: Levels of Expenditure, Income Security and Poverty.- Quality of Life Perceptions and Directions for Urban Regeneration in Hong Kong.- Subjective Residential Environment and Its Implications for Quality of Life Among University Students in Hong Kong.- Do Demographic Characteristics Make a Difference to Burnout Among Hong Kong Secondary School Teachers?.- Relations between Social Problem Solving and Indicators of Interpersonal and Family Well-Being Among Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong.

The absorption and indigenization of foreign media cultures a study on a cultural meeting point of the east and west: Hong Kong 1

Through an investigation of three forms of popular culture in Hong Kong, the study identifies four patterns of absorption and indigenization of foreign cultures. They are respectively named ‘Parrot’, ‘Amoeba’, ‘Coral’ and ‘Butterfly’. These patterns vary in the extent to which they absorb the form and content of foreign cultures. The author analyses how these patterns are shaped by the interplay among the consuming power of the local audience, the relative strengths and weaknesses of local and foreign productions, the competition and stimulation from other forms of culture, demographic changes and government policies. Four postulates on the relationship between these factors and the various patterns of absorption and indigenization of foreign cultures are advanced.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation versus surgical radiofrequency ablation for malignant liver tumours: the long-term results

BACKGROUND Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastases for more than 10 years with promising early outcomes. Preliminary results comparing percutaneous and surgical approaches have shown no difference in short-term outcomes. In this study, the longer-term outcomes were presented. METHODS Patients with liver malignancies treated by RFA were prospectively studied from 2003 to 2011. Post-ablation assessment by computed tomography (CT) scan and serum biochemistry was performed at regular intervals. Recurrence rates and long-term survival were analysed. RESULTS A total of 233 patients with liver malignancies (75.5% HCC and 24.5% liver metastases) were analysed. Three RFA approaches were used (percutaneous 58.4%, laparoscopic 9.4% and open 32.2%). The median follow-up time was 29 months. Complete ablation was achieved in 83.7%, with no difference between the two approaches. More wound and chest complications were observed in the surgical group. Intra-hepatic recurrences were observed in 69.5%; extra-hepatic recurrences were detected in 22.3%, with no difference between the two groups. There was no statistical difference between the two approaches in overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival. CONCLUSION An extended period of follow-up in patients with liver malignancies showed that RFA is an effective treatment. No difference was demonstrated between the percutaneous and surgical approach, in terms of recurrence and survival.

Inherent dependence on power: the Hong Kong press in political transition

This article examines the changes in the press in Hong Kong during its political transition. The practical consequences of ideological differences between China and Hong Kong for the press might be limited to only three taboos — no advocacy of Hong Kong, Taiwanese or Tibetan independence; no subversion of central government; and no personal attacks on Chinese leaders. The ownership structure of the press is still diverse. In actual operation, however, the Chinese authorities have already exerted their pressure through punishment, rewards and public relations. Covert and overt self-censorship are increasing. In the selection of the Chief Executive of the post-1997 government, the press showed a dramatic turn towards legitimating the Chinese authorities and appears to be inherently power dependent. After 1997, it is suggested that the press will take up a public relations role, serving mainly as a conveyor of positive messages for government.

The reception of global TV in Asia: An assessment of its impact on local cultures

This study examines the impact of global television on local cultures by comparing TV content and audience responses from India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Japan. It examines what negative values are portrayed and what local audiences perceive as the impact on their societies. Many of the negative values of global TV identified by these audiences could also be found in local programming. Indeed the display of different values could arguably depend more on a broadcasters programming strategy than a specific programmes country of origin. In general the respondents did not believe that the negative values identified had any significant effect on local cultures or their own way of life. On the contrary, they perceived many benefits in the exchange of knowledge and culture. The findings indicate that the fear of cultural invasion from global television may not be warranted.