Dr. CHENG Hon Kwong Christopher (鄭漢光博士)

BA, Psych.Hons. (UNSW), PhD (HKU)

AFBPS, C.Psychol., Reg.Psychol.

Associate Professor

Contact Information

Office:	Y7507 AC1
Phone:	34428832
Fax:	34420283
Email:	chris.cheng@cityu.edu.hk

Research Interests

health and well-being, posttraumatic growth
psychometrics, psychological testing
self-esteem and self-concept

Professional Expertise
I received my professional training from the School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney (UNSW) in the mid-eighties, and then obtained PhD specializing in adolescent psychology from the University of Hong Kong. I am a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Registered Psychologist of the Hong Kong Psychological Society, and have gained full membership of the Australian Psychological Society (Division of Indpendently Practising Psychologists). Being a specialist in psychological testing and psychometrics, I apply my academic interests to assessment and evaluation of health and well-being, self-esteem, cognitive functioning, antisocial and prosocial behaviours.

Teaching
I have served as the chair for the B.Soc.Sc.(Psychology) program for a decade. My current teaching focuses on statistical analysis and psychological assessments. Besides classroom teaching I am actively engaged in PhD/MPhil education both as supervisor and examiner. As one of the founding members of the SS Psychology Laboratories, I also serve as the director of the Psychometrics Lab.

Research
I have received a number of highly competitive research grants and government commissioned grants, including General Research Fund (GRF), Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF), CERG, etc. Recently I have been granted by the Medical & Health Research Fund (HMRF) to research the psychometric properties of the Chinese Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (CPTGI).

Professional Practice and Knowledge Transfer
I have developed the Chinese Adolescent Self-Esteem Scales (CASES) which has been adopted to measure the self-concept of Hong Kong students in the first Assessment Program for Affective and Social Outcomes (APASO), Education Bureau HKSAR Government. I've served as the associate editor of International Journal of Science in Society, Editorial Board member of the International Journal of Criminology and Sociology, and Adjunct Researcher for the Institute of Crime Prevention and Control of the School of Law at the Nanjing University. Besides academia, I am pleased to have the opportunities to serve various NGOs and public institutions, such as school manager, Hong Kong Psychological Society, Hong Kong Kun Sun Association (香港更生會), Centre for Restoration of Human Relationships (復和綜合服務中心).

Research Grant

Youth Problems and Youth Services in Macau SAR: A Blueprint for the New Millenium, the Third Study, Social Work Bureau, Macau SAR Government, Jun 2018 - Now, LO, T. Wing (PI).
Examining the psychometric properties of the Chinese Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (CPTGI) for patients suffering chronic diseases, Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF), 2014 - 2015, Christopher H K Cheng (PI), Samuel Ho, Tina Rochelle.
Youth Problems & Youth Services in Macau SAR: A Blueprint for the New Millennium – A Follow-up Study, Social Work Bureau commissioned grant, Macau SAR Government, Jul 2012 - Jun 2014, T.Wing Lo (PI), Elaine Au, Christopher Cheng.
Negative wording in self-reporting scales: Is it artefact or control of response set?, College Research Grant, City University of Hong Kong, Jun 2012 - Aug 2013, Christopher H K Cheng (PI), Julian Lai.
A Study on the Long-term Effects of a Restorative Whole-school Approach to Reducing Bullying in Schools, General Research Fund (GRF), 2009 - 2013, Dennis S.W. Wong (PI), Christopher H K CHENG, Raymond M.H. Ngan, Stephen Ma, Jessica Li.
The whole-school approach in tackling school bullying in primary schools, Quality Education Fund (QEF), Aug 2004 - Jul 2006, Dennis Wong (PI), Christopher H K Cheng, K.Ma.
The whole-school approach in tackling school bullying in large-size Chinese schools: Its development and effectiveness, General Research Fund (GRF), 2004 - 2006, Dennis S.W. Wong, S. W. (PI), Christopher H K CHENG, Raymond M.H. Ngan, Stephen Ma.
Validating and Establishing Norms of the Chinese Adolescent Self-Esteem Scales for Hong Kong, Small Scale Research Grant, City University of Hong Kong, May 2003 - Jan 2005, Christopher H K Cheng (PI).
Developing an interactive learning kit for research design and data analysis in psychology, Quality Enhancement Fund, City University of Hong Kong, Jul 2001 - Dec 2002, Christopher H K Cheng (PI), & J Pow.
The Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Youth Smoking in Hong Kong, Committee on Youth Smoking Prevention, Hong Kong SAR Government, 2001 - 2002, T. W. Lo (PI), C. Cheng (Co-I), D. Wong (Co-I), S. Leung (Co-I).
Youth Problems & Youth Services in Macau SAR: A Blueprint for the New Millennium, Social Work Bureau, Macau SAR Government, 2001 - 2003, T. W. Lo (PI), E. Au (Co-I), C. Cheng (Co-I), D. Wong (Co-I) .
Hong Kong children and adolescents’ attitudes toward academic brilliance, Direct Allocation Grant, City University of Hong Kong, Jul 2000 - Dec 2002, E. Rudowicz (PI) & Christopher H.K. Cheng.
Effects of Retrospective Perception of Parental Behaviour on Global Self-Esteem, Small Scale Research Grant, City University of Hong Kong, 1993 - 1995, Christopher H K Cheng (PI), N. Hamid .
Mental Health of the Chinese in Hong Kong, Strategic Research Grant, City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, Sep 1990 - Mar 1993, Herbert K.T. Chiu (PI) & Christopher H.K. Cheng.

Publication Show All Publications Show Prominent Publications

Journal

Chen, Lucia. L. , Cheng, Christopher. H K. & Gong, Tao. (2020). Inspecting vulnerability to depression from social media affect. Fontiers in Psychiatry. 11. 1 - 11. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00054
Lo, T. Wing. , Tse, John. W. L. & Cheng, Christopher. H. K. (2019). The association between substance abuse and sexual misconduct among Macau youths. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 16(9). doi:10.3390/ijerph16091643
Cheng, Christopher. H K. & Lau, C Y. (2018). Do social networking sites behaviour and self-esteem predict young people's delinquent behaviour in their actual lives?. Sociology and Criminology. 6. 177 doi:10.4172/2375-4435.1000177
Lo, T. Wing. & Cheng, Christopher. H K. (2018). Predicting Effects of the Self and Contextual Factors on Violence: A Comparison between School Students and Youth Offenders in Macau. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 15(2). 258 doi:10.3390/ijerph15020258
Cheng, Christopher. H K. , Ho, S. M Y. & Rochelle, T. L. (2018). Psychometric properties of the Chinese Post-traumatic Growth Inventory in patients with chronic diseases. Hong Kong Medical Journal. 24(4). 16 - 19.
Cheng, C. H K. & Lai, B. K Y. (2018). The effects of perfectionism and negative repetitive thoughts on school burnout among Hong Kong college students. International Journal of Education and Psychological Research. 7(3). 42 - 51.
Cheng, C. H K. (2017). Effects of ability grouping and self-perceived performance on secondary school students’ self-concept: An investigation of the big-fish-little-pond theory in Hong Kong. International Journal of Education and Psychological Research. 6(2). 78 - 83.
Cheng, C. H K. , Ho, S. M Y. & Rochelle, T. L. (2017). Examining the psychometric properties of the Chinese Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (CPTGI) for patients suffering from chronic diseases. Journal of Health Psychology. 22. 874 - 885. doi:10.1177/1359105315617330
Leung, K H. & Cheng, C. H K. (2016). Psychometric properties of a Chinese version of 12-item Teacher's Sense of Efficacy Scale for Hong Kong in-service teachers. International Journal of Education and Psychological Research. 5(2). 112 - 119.
Cheng, P. F. & Cheng, C. H K. (2015). Effects of moral self, self-esteem and parental bonding on delinquency among young people in Hong Kong. International Journal of Criminology and Sociology. 4. 119 - 127. doi:10.6000/1929-4409.2015.04.12
Wong, S.W. , Chan, H.C.O. & Cheng, C. H.K. (Jan 2014). Cyberbullying perpetration and victimization among adolescents. Children and Youth Services Review. 36. 133 - 140. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.11.006
Cheng, C. H K. (2014). How far does “frame of reference” matter to academic self-concept in a bilingual learning setting?. The International Journal of Learner Diversity and Identities. 20(1). 19 - 29.
Cheng, C. H. K. (2014). The predictive effects of self-esteem, moral self, and moral reasoning on delinquent behaviors of Hong Kong young people. International Journal of Criminology and Sociology. 3. 133 - 145. doi:10.6000/1929-4409.2014.03.12
Cheng, C. H.K. , Kwok, S.I. & Lo, T.W. (2013). Risk factors and the mediating effects of triad societies on deviant behaviors of young people. Issues on Juvenile Crime and Delinquency. 187. 22 - 31.
Li, J. , Lo, T.W. & Cheng, C. H.K. (2012). Measuring the subjective perceptions of risks and rewards of Chinese juvenile thieves. Psychology, Crime and Law. 18(8). 689 - 701.
Lo, T.W. , Cheng, C. H.K. , Wong, S.W. , Rochelle, T. L. & Kwok, S.I. (2012). Self-esteem, self-efficacy and deviant behaviour of young people in Hong Kong. Advances in Applied Sociology. 1(1). 48 - 55.
Wong, D. S.W. , Cheng, C. H.K. , Ngan, R. M.H. & Ma, S. K. (2011). Program effectiveness of a restorative whole-school approach for tackling school bullying in Hong Kong. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology. 55(6). 846 - 860.
Wong, D. S.W. , Cheng, C. H.K. , Leung, S.O. & Ma, S. K. (2010). Cognitive development of adolescents in Macau: Implications to minimum age of criminal responsibility. Journal of Youth Research. 159. 24 - 32.
Wong, D.S.W. , Cheng, C.H.K. & Ma, S.K. (2010). Program Effectiveness of Whole-school Approach for Tackling Bullying in Hong Kong Primary Schools. Educational Research Journal. 25 (1). 103 - 124.
Ng, T.K. & Cheng, C. H.K. (2010). The effects of intimacy, passion, and commitment on satisfaction in romantic relationships among Hong Kong Chinese people. Journal of Psychology in Chinese Societies. 11(2). 31 - 54.
Cheng, C. H.K. , Lo, T.W. & Wong, D. S.W. (2004). Deviant behaviour of adolescents and their psychological correlates in terms of the self and social influence. Journal of Youth Studies. 7(2). 169 - 183.
Watkins, D. , Cheng, C. H.K. , Mpofu, E. , Oluwu, S. , Singh-Sengupta, S. & Regmi, M. (2003). Gender differences in self-construals: How generalizable are western findings?. Journal of Social Psychology,. 143(4). 501 - 519. doi:10.1080/00224540309598459
Cheng, C. H. K. & Smith, I. (2002). Measuring the self-concepts of Australian students in the Asian Pacific context. Self-concept Research: Driving International Research Agenda. Refereed Papers 6. 1 - 5.
Cheng, C. H.K. & Watkins, D. (2000). Age and gender invariance of self-concept factor structure: An investigation of a newly developed Chinese self-concept instrument. International Journal of Psychology. 35(5). 186 - 193. doi:10.1080/00207590050171120
Wong, D. S.W. & Cheng, C. H.K. (2000). Religious bonds, values and minor delinquency among young people in Hong Kong. Journal of Youth Studies. 3(2). 142 - 151.
Watkins, D. , Adair, J. , Regmi, M. , Cheng, C. H.K. , Fleming, J. , Gerong, A. , Ismail, M. , McInerney, D. , Lefner, K. , Regmi, M. , Singh-Sengupta, S. , Watson, S. , Wondimu, H. & Yu, J. (1998). Cultural dimensions, gender, and the nature of self-concept: A fourteen-country study. International Journal of Psychology. 33(1). 17 - 31. doi:10.1080/002075998400583
Watkins, D. , Akande, A. , Cheng, C. H.K. & Regmi, M. (1996). Culture and gender differences in the self-esteem of college students: A four-country comparison. Social Behavior and Personality. 24(4). 321 - 328. doi:10.2224/sbp.1996.24.4.321
Hamid, P. N. & Cheng, C. H.K. (1995). Self-esteem, and self-concept clarity in Chinese students. Social Behavior and Personality. 23(3). 273 - 284. doi:10.2224/sbp.1995.23.3.273
Watkins, D. & Cheng, C. H.K. (1995). The revised Causal Dimension Scale: A confirmatory factor analysis with Hong Kong students. British Journal of Educational Psychology. 65. 249 - 252.
Cheng, C. H.K. & Wong, S. W. (1993). A systematic analysis of contemporary youth values in Hong Kong. Qing Nian Tan Suo. 47. 44 - 48.

Conference Paper

Cheng, Christopher. H K. (Jul 2015). Assessing Post-traumatic Growth of Hong Kong Chinese Patients with Chronic Illnesses. The 13th European Conference on Psychological Assessment. Zurich. Switzerland: University of Zurich.
Cheng, C. H. K. (Aug 2013). Assessing the Chinese Response Styles in Social Context. Eighth International Conference for Chinese Psychologists. Beijing. China: Beijing Normal University.
Cheng, C. H. K. (Aug 2013). The Self Construal and Social Desirability Response Bias: A Study of Two Cities. Eighth International Conference for Chinese Psychologists. Beijing. China: Beijing Normal University.
Cheng, C. H. K. (Aug 2012). How far does “frame of reference” matter to academic self-concept and academic achievement in a bilingual educational setting?. The Nineteenth International Conference on Learning. London. Institute of Education, University of London.
Cheng, C. H. K. (Jul 2010). Testing the equivalence of self-concept configuration between Hong Kong and Singaporean Chinese. The Seventh Conference of the International Testing Commission. Hong Kong. International Test Commission, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Cheng, C.H.K. (Jun 2008). Assessing the self-esteem of Hong Kong Chinese young people: An emic-etic approach. Paper presented in the Sixth Chinese Psychologist Conference. Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Cheng, C.H.K. (Dec 2007). An investigation of the effects of family conflicts and parental behaviour on child's well-being. Tenth Anniversary Conference of the Macau Juvenile Delinquency Research Society. (pp. 201 - 206). Macau: The Macau Juvenile Delinquency Research Society.
Cheng, C.H.K. (Jul 2007). Does your style matter, or your behaviour? An investigation of parents' characteristics on children's self-worthiness and mental health. Paper presented in the Centre for Intergenerational Practice Annual Conference. UK: University of Manchester.
Cheng, C. H. K. (Jul 2005). Assessing the measurement reliability and validity of the Chinese Adolescent Self-Esteem Scales (CASES). Fifth International Conference for Chinese Psychologists. Suchow. China: .
Cheng, C. H. K. (Aug 1998). The Equivalence of the Factor Structure of Self-Concept for Age and Gender: An Investigation of Hong Kong Adolescents. Fourteenth International Congress of the International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology. Bellingham. Washington, US: International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP).
Cheng, C. H. K. (Jan 1992). Towards a culturally relevant model of self-concept for the Hong Kong Chinese. Fourth Asian Regional Conference of the International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology. Kathmandu. Napal: International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP).

Book

Lo, T. W., , Cheng, C. H. K., & Au, E. S. C. (2014). Youth problems and youth service blueprint in Macau: A follow-up Study. Macau: Macau SAR Government. 978-99937-52-71-4.
Wong, D. S.W. , Cheng, C. H. K. & Leung, S.O. (2008). Research on development of moral reasoning among young people in Macau (total 91 pp). Macau: Department of Justice, Macau SAR Government.
Wong S W, , Ngan R M H, , Cheng C H K, & Ma K(2007). The Effectiveness of Restorative Whole-School Approach in Tackling Bullying in Secondary Schools. Hong Kong: Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong.
Wong, D. S.W. , Cheng, C. H. K. & Ma, K. (2006). The "Whole-school Approach" in tackling school bullying in primary schools: Its development and effectiveness (total 167 pp). Hong Kong: Youth Studies Net, City University of Hong Kong.
Cheng, C.H.K. (2005). The Chinese Adolescent Self-Esteem Scales: A User Manual. Hong Kong: City University of Hong Kong. ISBN 962-442-267-2.
Lo, T.W. , Au, E. , Wong, D. S.W. & Cheng, C. H. K. (2005). Youth Problems and Youth Services in Macau SAR: A Blueprint for the New Millennium (total 152 pp). Macau: Macau SAR Government. 99937-52-20-7.
Cheng, C. (Ed.). (Jun 2004). Promoting Psychological Well-Being: Proceedings of the Hong Kong Psychological Society Annual Conference 2004. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Psychological Society. 962-442-252-4.
Wong, S. W. , Ho, B. , Cheng, C. H K. & Lee, W. (2004). A Review of Program Evaluation Practices in the Field of HIV/AIDS: A casebook submitted to the AIDS Trust Fund. Hong Kong: Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong.
Wong, S. W. & Cheng, C. H K. (2000). Values, Behaviour, and Religiosity of Young Christians in Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Christian Council.
Chiu, K. T. , Cheng, C. H K. & Butt, T. L. (1994). The Mental Health of Hong Kong Chinese: A Locally-Based Study. Hong Kong: City Polytechnic of Hong Kong. 962-442-042-2.
Wong, S. W. & Cheng, C. H K. (1992). Value System of Youth: An exploratory study of configuration and structure. Hong Kong: City Polytechnic of Hong Kong. 962-442-021-0.

Book Chapter

Cheng, C. H. K. (2013). What affectionate expressions are essential for romantic relationship in dating couples?. Sex and the Underage: A Collection of Essays. (pp. 185 - 194). Macau. Macau Juvenile Delinquency Research Society. 978-99937-885-5-3.
馬勤, , 鄭漢光, & 黃成榮(2011). 澳門青少年的社會意識與反社會行為初探/成長危機. 澳門人文社會科學研究文選 (2008-2011). (pp. 725 - 733). 北京. 社會科學文献出版社. 978-99937-1-112-4.
Watkins, D. & Cheng, C. (2010). Enhancing student self-esteem. L.F. Zhang, J. Biggs, & D. Watkins (Eds.) Learning and Development of Asian Students: What the 21st Century Teacher Needs to Think About. (pp. 61 - 78). Pearson. 981-06-8284-0.
盧鐵榮, & 鄭漢光(2009). 澳門青少年偏差及違法行為現況分析. 程惕洁(主編)《澳門人文社會科學研究文選》. (pp. 357 - 373). 北京. 社會科學文献出版社. 978-7-5097-1130-9.
Cheng, C. H. K. (2006). Effects of self-concept, parents, and peers on deviant behaviour among Hong Kong adolescents. Selected Papers of the Symposium on Phenomenon and Theories of Juvenile Delinquency. (pp. 291 - 298). Macau.
Cheng, C. H. K. (2003). The pattern of delinquent behaviour and their psychological determinants of Hong Kong adolescents. Walking Together through the Days Behind Bars. (pp. 124 - 130). Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Kun Sun Association. 962-85157-2-1.
Cheng, C. H. K. (1996). Towards a culturally relevant model of self-concept for the Hong Kong Chinese. Asian Contributions to Cross-Culturally Psychology. (pp. 235 - 254). London. Sage. 0-8039-9244-0.
Wong, S.W. & Cheng, C. H.K. (1994). Value system of the new generation in Hong Kong: An example of coexistence of materialistic and spiritual cultures. Dongfang Lunli Daode Yu Qingshaonian Jiaoyu. (pp. 453 - 468). Shanghai. Shanghai Education Press. 7-5320-3657-X.

External Services

Professional Activity

2019 - Now, Program Review Panel, B.A.(Honours)(Social Sciences), School of Professional and Continuing Education, The University of Hong Kong.Hong Kong.
2017 - Now, External Specialist , Program Review Panel, Adv.Dip. in Psychology, HKU SPACE.Hong Kong.
2016 - Now, External Examiner, PhD program, Dept of Psychology, Chinese University of Hong Kong.Hong Kong.

Last update date : 16 Sep 2019