EYEROLLS TO HIGH-FIVES: HOW FAMILY QUALITY TIME MATTERS TO ADOLESCENTS’ RESILIENCE AND WELL-BEING IN MACAO

In my journey of personal growth, I often find myself reflecting on the differences in how my friends and I perceive family, life, and ourselves. This contemplation became particularly pressing in light of the rising suicide rates in Macao, prompting me to investigate the role of family interactions in adolescents' lives. While much existing literature primarily emphasizes the quantity of family time, my research shifts focus to the quality of these interactions, aiming to uncover how adolescents' perceptions of family quality time relate to their resilience and well-being.

This quantitative study involved multiple schools and included distributing questionnaires to students who chose to participate. The findings indicated a moderate perception of family quality time and resilience, along with a moderate to high level of well-being among adolescents. There is a positive correlation between adolescents' perceptions of family quality time and their levels of resilience and well-being. Interestingly, the findings indicated that when both parents work full-time, adolescents tend to perceive their family quality time more positively. In contrast, when only the mother is engaged in shift work, the perception of the frequency of family quality time significantly diminishes. Moreover, the research highlighted that adolescents particularly value leisure activities and mealtimes shared with their families, emphasizing the importance of connection and enjoyment in these moments.
These findings hold significant implications for educators, parents, and counsellors, underscoring that both the quantity and quality of family interactions are crucial for adolescents' development. By illuminating the importance of meaningful family time, this study provides valuable insights for future strategies and interventions aimed at enhancing family dynamics and fostering deeper connections between parents and children.