A study of factors affecting social interactions between young people in youth hostels

Abstract

Nowadays, it is getting more difficult for young people in Hong Kong to detach from their family homes and get hold of a place of their own owing to the high housing price and monthly rent, as well as the inadequate supply of affordable housing. The current study sought to supplement the limited literature on the usefulness of youth hostels (a relatively new initiative of the government) in relieving the housing needs of this group of young people who have just gone through the transition from youth to adulthood and further explore on the factors that may affect social interactions between young people in youth hostels. Data were drawn from 108 questionnaires and 3 interviews with young working people aged 18-30 under different living arrangements with the aim to find out the possible reasons that would encourage them to live in youth hostels and understand their views on socializing especially in the youth hostel environment. Results revealed that young people may leave their family homes to live in youth hostels in order to have an independent lifestyle, seek convenience commuting to work, enrich life experiences and extend their social networks. The setting of the communal space (spaciousness, accessibility and practicability of utilities), attachment to the youth hostel community and management of the communal space were found to be the most important factors that may affect social interactions between young people in youth hostels. In view of the findings obtained, several suggestions for youth hostels under planning are proposed at the end of the current study.