Are There Any Gender Differences in the Perception of University Support During the Transition Period to Higher Education?

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine if there are gender differences in the perception of university support. The study is based on a survey of 368 students in a Hong Kong university. The findings of the study are threefold. First, female students perceive the university as being more supportive in their academic adjustment than do male students (t = −4.256, p < 0.001). Second, male students perceive the university as being more supportive in their social adjustment than do female students (t = 2.156, p < 0.05). Last, male students perceive the university as being more supportive in their psychological adjustment than do female students (t = 2.401, p < 0.05).

Keywords:

• gender differences
• transition period
• Hong Kong