The Hong Kong Christian Service asked 597 people aged 12 to 24 about their experiences with failure. Photo: Sam TsangNearly half of youth surveyed by the Hong Kong Christian Service in a new study considered themselves “failures”, primarily due to academic performance. The group behind the poll released the findings on Saturday and said the high ratings on the “failure index” showed a clear need for strong mental health support networks.
Apple Ngo Hoi-ling, a service supervisor at a club run by the organisation in Sham Shui Po, said the findings showed the critical need for a “shift in society’s attitudes towards failure”. Young people facing challenges need support networks – family, schools and peers – to improve their mental health and gain motivation to achieve, he said.
The Christian Service surveyed between June and September, interviewing 597 people aged 12 to 24 to look into their experiences with failure and how it has affected them.
The findings showed that 48.3 per cent of respondents rated their “failure index” at 6 or above out of 10, indicating a tendency to view themselves as failures. A higher score indicated greater feelings of failure.
More than three-quarters of respondents said their most serious failures were related to academic achievement. Others said their failures were tied to personal development and interpersonal relationships.
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The average score stood at 5.6, with most people defining failure as not achieving personal goals, being unable to demonstrate their strengths and abilities, and falling short of meeting others’ expectations.
According to the findings, those who gave a score of 6 to 10 tended to view failure more negatively, with the report citing statements such as “others always emphasise the results of failure while dismissing the efforts made during the process” and “failure diminishes my value”.
The results also showed that 55 per cent of those surveyed faced blame after experiencing failure, mostly from family members, which further harmed their mental health.
The survey also employed a questionnaire to measure mental health and found that 3.4 per cent of respondents experienced significant psychological distress.
The organisation called for more support for young people to improve their mental health and motivation.
It suggested group interventions to guide young people to review their experiences with failure and establish personal values.
The organisation said platforms must be provided to help young people participate in society and express their opinions. More support networks for young people and services for parents were also required.
It said public education should be improved to reduce prejudice, and society must promote a culture of mutual acceptance and understanding.