Chan, C.K., Chan, K.M., Chan, W.L., Chui, H.L., Fong, C.W., Fung, H., Hung, H.K., & Tong, K.W. (Eds.)(2014). Communication and Education: New Media, Knowledge Practices, and Multiliteracies. Hong Kong: HKAECT.

HKAECT 2014 International Conference

Online Knowledge Sharing and Psychological Well-Being among Chinese College Students

[Full-text PDF]

Will W. K. Ma
Online Communication Research Centre, Department of Journalism and Communication,
Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong, China
wkma@hksyu.edu

Chi Keung Chan
Department of Counselling and Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong, China
alexchan@hksyu.edu

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Abstract
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This survey study examines the relationship of online knowledge sharing and psychological well-being among undergraduate students in Hong Kong. A paper questionnaire was administered to a sample of 489 undergraduate students aged 17-25 from a local university. Online Knowledge Sharing Behavior (OKSB; Ma & Yuen, 2011) was adopted to measure the online communication of knowledge. There were two measures for psychological well-being – Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS; Diener et al., 1985) and Flourishing Scale (FS; Diener et al., 2010). Although the structural equation modeling (SEM) results showed online knowledge sharing significantly predicted life satisfaction and flourishing, it only accounted for very little variation in life satisfaction (1.3%) and flourishing (3.1%). The findings suggested that the positive effect of online knowledge sharing on psychological well-being has to be further investigated.

Keywords: Online knowledge sharing, Well-being, Life satisfaction, Flourishing

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Bio
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MA, Will W.K.

Dr. Ma is Assistant Professor of the Department of Journalism and Communication at the Hong Kong Shue Yan University. He is also the CEO of Online Communication Research Centre of the Department. He got a MSc and a MPhil at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He received his PhD at the University of Hong Kong. His research focuses on the use of information systems for communication, teaching and learning, online knowledge sharing and interpersonal relationship.

CHAN, Chi Keung

Dr. Chan is Assistant Professor in the Department of Counselling and Psychology at the Hong Kong Shue Yan University. He earned his master and doctoral degrees in Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. He was a Senior Evaluation, Assessment, and Accountability Specialist at the Minneapolis Public Schools for almost a decade. His research interests include positive internet use, cyber risky behaviors, as well as online knowledge sharing and well-being.
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