279 secondary school students in Hong Kong responded to the Chinese version of the Reasons for Living Inventory. The importance of these reasons could be grouped into 5 categories: positive values/self-efficacy, optimism, family concerns, concerns about social disapproval, & suicidal fears. These categories correspond closely to the original subscales of the inventory. Implications of gender & age group differences in endorsing coping beliefs, rather than fears, in times of crisis are discussed.