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According to Eccles et al.’s (1983) Expectancy Value Model, the two major constructs that influence young people’s activity choice are subjective task value and expectancy beliefs (Eccles et al., 1983). Eccles et al. (1983) conceptually distinguished four dimensions of subjective task value: attainment value, intrinsic value, utility value and cost, and two dimensions of expectancy beliefs: expectancies for success and competence beliefs. Previous studies have been conducted with Western populations, but little is known about how the subjective task value and expectancy beliefs act in relation to physical activity for Chinese populations. This study sought to examine the factors that contribute to Hong Kong Chinese young people’s values and expectancy beliefs in physical activity. The participants were selected purposefully for this qualitative interview study from a larger mixed method study (Pang and Ha, 2010). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 Hong Kong Chinese young people (six boys and six girls, aged 10–12) in three government-funded schools. Results invite us to take into account the two contrasting values of collectivism and individualism, the deeply rooted capitalistic economy and the philosophy of Confucianism that act hand in hand in shaping the physical activity values and expectancy beliefs of contemporary Hong Kong Chinese young people. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Subjective Task Value (STV) is a multidimensional construct of values predominantly used to examine western culture (Eccles et al., 1983); it is influential in motivating individuals to make choices and display long-lasting behaviours. While existing studies were conducted with western populations, the manifestation of value has yet to be investigated from the viewpoint of the Chinese culture. This study sought, first, to test the validity of the construct with schoolchildren in the Hong Kong cultural context; second, to investigate gender differences in children’s STV and physical activity participation, and last, to examine relationships between the STV components and physical activity participation. Questionnaires were completed by 172 boys and 163 girls (mean age = 10.71) in assessing their STV in physical activity, and participation in physical activity. Significant findings were as follows. (1) Confirmatory factor analysis provided initial support to the multidimensional construct of STV (intrinsic, attainment and utility value) as construed by Eccles et al. (1983). (2) The three value constructs significantly correlated with the children’s physical activity participation. (3) Boys and girls differed in their intrinsic value and utility value but not attainment value. (4) Utility value had the greatest effect in predicting boys’ and girls’ physical activity participation. These results supported the validity of the STV model with Hong Kong Chinese schoolchildren and provided empirical evidence that there is a need to embed cultural and gender strategies in order to further promote Hong Kong children’s participation in physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study compared the self-reported physical activity, perceived social support for, and perceived barriers to, physical activity of primary and secondary school children from Hong Kong and Australia. Hong Kong boys and girls reported spending significantly less time, outside of school hours, on physical activity than their Australian contemporaries (p < .05). There was significantly higher perceived support for activity from Australian parents (p < .001), teachers (p < .001) and peers (p < .001) compared to their Hong Kong counterparts. Parental support significantly correlated with self-reported activity in Australia, but not in Hong Kong. These data add support to the notion that strategies to increase physical activity need to embed family and school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]