Social Work - Research Publications
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ItemNo Preview AvailableExtroversion Fosters Career Competence among Adolescents in Hong Kong(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2022-06)Adolescents often feel helpless about planning their career in highly competitive societies such as Hong Kong. Relatively limited research has been conducted to examine whether being extrovert can influence adolescents’ career-related knowledge and career decision self-efficacy (CDSE). Methods: This cross-sectional study explored the relationship between extroversion, career knowledge and CDSE among 535 Hong Kong high school students based on Social Cognitive Career Theory and Trait and Factor Theory. Descriptive data analysis, correlation tests and structural equation modelling were used. Results: Study respondents displayed a low level of career knowledge and CDSE. Extroversion had a directly positive effect on CDSE (β = 0.219, p < 0.001), while career knowledge significantly mediated the relationship between extroversion and CDSE (β = 0.185, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study provided a model to understand high school adolescents’ career decision self-efficacy, and empirically supported career training interventions to enhance adolescents’ self-efficacy and confidence in being more outgoing.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableObjectification and ambiguity of body image in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A mixed-method study.(Elsevier BV, 2022-08-01)BACKGROUND: The manifestations of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), including acne, hirsutism, obesity, uncertain fertility, etc., can make women anxious, worried, or even depressed with their appearance and body. However, little relevant research has been conducted in the Chinese context. This mixed-method study aimed to understand how women with PCOS in China perceive their bodies and to examine the association between body image and depression. METHODS: First, 101 PCOS patients participated in a survey using the Body Surveillance subscale of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale, the Short-form Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, the Appearance Anxiety Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II, which measured participants' self-objectification, illness ambiguity, appearance anxiety, and depression, respectively. Second, fifteen women joined face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews, investigating their illness ambiguity, objectified experience, and behaviors to pursue beauty. RESULTS: Results indicated a high level of self-objectification, illness ambiguity, appearance anxiety, and depression among women with PCOS in China and supported the significant associations among the outcomes. Qualitative findings presented a body image of the precarious body, indiscernible identity, and distraught mind. LIMITATIONS: A convenient sampling method was used. The generalization of the study results needs further validation. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to clarify the causal relationships among outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This study presented women's body image with PCOS and found the negative impact of body image on their depression levels. This study was of both theoretical and practical significance. Appropriate mind-body therapies were suggested for them.
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ItemManaging stress and anxiety through qigong exercise in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials(BMC, 2014-01-10)BACKGROUND: An increasing number of studies have documented the effectiveness of qigong exercise in helping people reduce psychological stress and anxiety, but there is a scarcity of systematic reviews evaluating evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted among healthy subjects. METHODS: Thirteen databases were searched for RCTs from their inception through June 2013. Effects of qigong exercise were pooled across trials. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated for the pooled effects. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane criteria. RESULTS: Seven RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Two RCTs suggested that qigong exercise immediately relieved anxiety among healthy adults, compared to lecture attendance and structured movements only. Four RCTs suggested qigong exercise relieved anxiety (pooled SMD = -0.75; 95% CI, -1.11 to -0.40), and three RCTs suggested that qigong exercise reduced stress (pooled SMD = -0.88; 95% CI, -1.22 to -0.55) among healthy subjects following one to three months of qigong practice, compared to wait-list controls. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence suggests that qigong exercise reduces stress and anxiety in healthy adults. However, given the limited number of RCTs and their methodological flaws, further rigorously designed RCTs are needed.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableEfficacy of Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit Group Intervention for Parents of Children With Eczema: A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Clinical Trial(SAGE Publications, 2020-09)Objectives: This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a psychosocial intervention developed based on the Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit (IBMS) model that aimed to enhance the well-being of parents of children with eczema. Methods: Ninety-one families were randomly allocated to either the six-session intervention group (n = 48) or the wait-list control group (n = 43) and completed the randomized trial. For both groups, a range of psychosocial outcome measures were taken before the intervention (T0), postintervention (T1), and 6 weeks after the intervention (T2). Results: Relative to the control group, the intervention group was significantly improved over time in their levels of perceived stress, depression, and a number of holistic well-being measures, including nonattachment, afflictive ideation, and general vitality. Discussion: The results provided empirical support for an IBMS-informed psychosocial intervention in reducing stress and depression and enhancing well-being among parents of children with eczema.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableDaytime Function in Mind-Body Treatment of Cocurrent Sleep and Mood Disturbances(Oxford University Press (OUP), 2017-04-28)Introduction: Both sleep disturbances and depressive mood are closely associated with wide-range daytime dysfunctions. Yet limited study closely investigates daytime functioning variables after treatments for sleep disturbances either coexisting with or without depressive mood. Methods: Participants Participants were 185 individual with co-existing sleep and mood disturbances (92 in I-BMS; 93 in WLC). Daytime functioning variables were measured by items from Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-day) indicating daytime dysfunctions, Somatic subscale from Somatic Symptom Inventory (SSI), Anxiety subscale from Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) represented by Mental and Physical Component scores (MCS and PCS). Data were collected at baseline, post-treatment (8 weeks) and three-month follow-up. Multiple imputations were firstly conducted to evaluate effect size of each daytime variables after treatments. Then, regression analyses were used to reveal associations between daytime variables at follow-up and previous changes in nighttime sleep qualities (PSQI-Night) and mood (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression after minus sleep item- CESD-M) at post-treatment respectively. At last, path analyses were used to understand interplays among daytime functioning, sleep and mood. Results: We found that there was a small to large between-group effect size (0.20–0.70) on daytime functioning and a medium to large within-group effect size (0.53–0.89) in the I-BMS group. After adjusting for group and baseline scores, CESD-M was the most important predictor of daytime functioning. PSQI-day was associated with both PSQI-nightand CESD-M. Path analyses indicated that PSQI-day bridged PSQI-night and CESD-M in a 2-way direction (Χ2=12.36, p=0.34, df=11, Χ2/df=1.1; RMSEA=0.026; CFI=0.989; TLI=0.980; Χ2=12.10, p=0.36, df=11, Χ2/df=1.1; RMSEA=0.023; CFI=0.991; TLI=0.983). Conclusion: Among subjects with co-existing sleep and depressive symptoms, improvement in daytime functioning was predominantly related to improvement in depressive symptoms. Nighttime sleep only related to daytime dysfunction that was specific to sleep disturbances. The phenomenon could be regarded as a primary link. More works are required to understand “sleep-specific” daytime impairments and their roles in the course of concurrent sleep and mood disturbances.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableBeyond Professional Competence: Effect of Equanimity on the Professional Quality of Life Among Health-Care Professionals Working in Perinatal Bereavement Support(SAGE Publications, 2016-04)Health-care professionals who offer perinatal bereavement support often encountered numerous stressful events in daily practices. Secondary trauma and burnout related to psychological distress are not uncommon. Literatures suggested that further skill training enhances perceived self-competence thus lowering such traumatic impact. Nevertheless, equanimity, an emerging concept in professional development, which is characterized by a sense of unflappability and resilience in face of challenges, is an indispensable element in protecting the well-being of health-care professionals. The current study aimed to examine the role of equanimity and perceived self-competence on professional quality of life among health-care professionals. A city-wide survey study was conducted among 101 individuals who offered perinatal bereavement support at tertiary care institutions in Hong Kong. Perceived self-competence was positively associated with compassion satisfaction (β = .380, p < .001, CI = 0. 038, 0.131) and negatively correlated to burnout (β = −.439, p < .001, CI = −0.148, −0.055), in which both relationships were moderated by the level of equanimity, that is, the impact of perceived self-competence on professional quality of life was only significant among individuals with higher level of equanimity. It implied that perinatal bereavement training should integrate not only knowledge and skills but also component of equanimity training to facilitate the capacity building among frontline health-care professionals.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableLongitudinal study on sexual function and quality of life in infertile couples undergoing intrauterine insemination(OXFORD UNIV PRESS, 2023-01-14)BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional studies have shown that sexual dysfunction and poor quality of life were prevalent among couples undergoing assisted reproduction at specific time points, but nothing is known about how these outcomes change over the course of their intrauterine insemination (IUI) journey. AIM: We investigated the longitudinal changes in sexual function and quality of life of infertile couples undergoing IUI. METHODS: Sixty-six infertile couples completed an anonymous questionnaire at 3 time points: after IUI counseling (T1), 1 day before IUI (T2), and 2 weeks after IUI (T3). The questionnaire consisted of demographic data, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) or International Index of Erectile Function-5, and Fertility Quality of Life (FertiQoL). OUTCOMES: Descriptive statistics, significance testing with the Friedman test, and post hoc analysis with the Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to compare changes in sexual function and quality of life at different time points. RESULTS: Overall, 18 (26.1%), 16 (23.2%), and 12 (17.4%) women and 29 (42.0%), 37 (53.6%), and 31 (44.9%) men were at risk for sexual dysfunction at T1, T2, and T3, respectively. There were significant differences in mean FSFI scores in arousal (3.87, 4.06, 4.10) and orgasm (4.15, 4.24, 4.39) domains at T1, T2, and T3. After post hoc analysis, only the increase in mean orgasm FSFI scores between T1 and T3 was statistically significant. Men's FertiQoL scores remained high during IUI (74.33-75.63 out of 100). Men also scored significantly higher than women on all FertiQoL domains except environment at the 3 time points. Post hoc analysis showed significant improvement in women's FertiQoL domain scores between T1 and T2: mind-body, environment, treatment, and total. Women's FertiQoL score at T2 for the treatment domain was also significantly higher than that at T3. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Men should not be neglected during IUI as their erectile function got worse in the process, with half of the men being affected. Although women's quality of life showed some improvement during IUI, most of their scores were lower than men's. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: The use of psychometrically validated questionnaires and a longitudinal approach are the major strengths; a small sample size and the lack of a dyadic approach are the major limitations. CONCLUSION: During IUI, women's sexual performance and quality of life improved. The proportion of men having erectile problems was high for this age group, but men's FertiQoL scores remained good and were better than their partners' throughout IUI.
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ItemTime to take action on filicides in Hong Kong(Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, 2023-02)
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ItemImpact of comorbid allergic diseases on health-related quality of life of Hong Kong schoolchildren(WILEY, 2023-05)BACKGROUND: Studies on the relationship between childhood allergic disease and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have mostly been confined to a single allergic condition. Therefore, a composite allergic score (CAS) was derived to assess the accumulated effect of eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis on HRQOL in Hong Kong schoolchildren. METHODS: Parents of grade one/two or grade eight/nine schoolchildren completed a questionnaire assessing the prevalence and severity of eczema (POEM), asthma (C-ACT/ACT), and allergic rhinitis (VAS) and schoolchildren's HRQOL (PedsQL). Three rounds of recruitment were conducted. A total of 19 primary and 25 secondary schools agreed to participate. RESULTS: Data from 1140 caregivers of grade one/two schoolchildren and 1048 grade eight/nine schoolchildren were imputed and analyzed. The proportion of female respondents were lower in grade one/two (37.7%) but higher in grade eight/nine (57.3%). 63.8% of grade one/two and 58.1% of grade eight/nine schoolchildren reported having at least one allergic disease. In general, greater disease severity was significantly associated with lower HRQOL. After controlling for age, gender, and allergic comorbidity in hierarchical regressions, CAS significantly predicted all HRQOL outcomes in both grade one/two and grade eight/nine schoolchildren. Female grade eight/nine schoolchildren reported lower HRQOL outcomes. CONCLUSION: Composite allergic score may be a practical tool to evaluate allergic comorbidity and the effectiveness of treatments targeting common pathological mechanisms of allergic diseases. Non-pharmaceutical approaches should be considered, especially for patients with more than one allergic disease and greater severity.
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ItemNo Preview AvailablePhysical and Psychosocial Impacts of Parental Incarceration on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review Differentiating Age of Exposure(SPRINGER INT PUBL AG, 2023-06)The externalizing and internalizing behavioral impacts of parental incarceration on their children has been widely examined. However, understanding the breadth and depth of possible negative impacts on children at different developmental stages, and whether protective factors can be identified to offset such impacts, has been limited. This review systematically reviewed 57 articles and extended the developmental outcome to six key impact themes, with some articles identifying more themes than others: behavioral (n = 34), mental health (n = 26), social relationships (n = 17), academic performance (n = 17), substance use (n = 10), and short-term and long-term physical health (n = 6). To provide a global review, this study examined research across nations from Western to Eastern countries, consisting of 126,690 children and adolescents with incarcerated parents against 577,445 peers with no parents of such histories. Most children and adolescents exposed to parental incarceration are vulnerable to mental health impacts including anxiety, behavioral issues and school performance. The earlier the exposure to parental incarceration, the greater the risk of marijuana use, sexually transmitted infection and multiple partnerships in adolescence. These challenges often continue into emerging adulthood. This review found that the well-being of parents, positive family relationships and successful co-parenting can offset some adverse impacts. Future research lines and implications for preventive support to such children, adolescents and families are discussed.