'We Are Not Sad At All’ : Adolescents Talk About Their ‘City of Sadness’ Through Photovoice

In neighborhood-effects research, the voices of young residents are seldom heard. The present study examines how an adolescent sample living in a high-poverty area of Hong Kong is affected by its neighborhood and wider community contexts. Using the method of photovoice, the adolescents expressed their perceptions of the salient characteristics of their neighborhood/community. The geographical milieu where the respondents are situated is a remote district commonly known as the "City of Sadness." Fifty-four adolescents (aged 12 to 17) were recruited to photograph neighborhood and community conditions and discuss their perceptions of them. Content analysis of the narratives solicited from eight photovoice sessions identified the complex feelings of satisfaction, dissatisfaction, and fear participants felt about their neighborhood. In addition, a survey of a random sample of 22 parents was also undertaken to understand the uniqueness of the adolescents' opinions. Implications on how the neighborhood contexts impact adolescents' perceptions and development are discussed. © The Author(s) 2011.