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Nurturing Mental Health for Children and Youth: Individual Interventions, Family Work and
Technology Assistance
Ruth D H Zhou
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Mental Health and Mindsets among Hong Kong Students with Academically High Achievements
Angela F Y Siu
Program for the Gifted and Talented
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Nelson K Y Ng
Program for the Gifted and Talented
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
T M Pang
Program for the Gifted and Talented
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
H K Leung
Program for the Gifted and Talented
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
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Abstract
Students’ mental health is closely associated with the pressure to achieve academic excellence. This study explored the level of mental distress among academically highachieving students in Hong Kong and examined the relationship between their mental health and mindsets. Eight hundred and four primary and secondary school students (with mean age as 12.13, standard deviation as 2.75) who were viewed as high academic achievers by their school teachers completed a one-off survey on mental health and mindsets. The results indicated girls and secondary students have higher means for all the variables than boys and primary students, respectively. Significant gender differences were found in depression, somatization, and mindsets towards depression, as well as differences across grades in anxiety and depression among the students. In addition, mental distress was found significantly and positively associated with fixed mindsets towards mental health. Fixed mindsets towards mental health were associated with anxiety and depression symptoms among the high-achieving students. Implications for research and school practices, as well as limitations of the current study, are discussed. |
摘要
高學術成就學童的精神健康與心態 學生的心理健康與追求學術卓越的壓力密切相關。本研究旨在探討香港學術成就較高的學生的心理困擾程度,並研究他們的心理健康與心態之間的關係。本研究採用一次性調查的方法,對八百零四名被學校教師認為具有高學術成就的小學和中學學生(平均年齡為12.13 歲,標準差為2.75)進行了心理健康和心態的調查。結果表明女生和中學生在所有變量的平均值都高於男生和小學生。學生在抑鬱、身心症和抑鬱心態方面存在明顯的性別差異,不同年級的學生之間在焦慮和抑鬱方面也存在明顯差異。此外,心理困擾與對心理健康的固定心態呈現顯著的正相關,尤其於焦慮和抑鬱症狀。本研究討論了研究和學校實踐的意義,以及當前研究的局限性。 |
Keywords
Mental health, Mindsets of mental health, High-achieving students |
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Youth-Led Co-Creative Mental Health Training Programme for Improving Mental Wellbeing and Reducing Stigma among Adolescents in Hong Kong: Insights from A Pilot Study
Winnie W Y Yuen Department of Counselling and Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University Raymond C F Chui Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Shue Yan University C K Chan School of Arts and Humanities, Tung Wah College Amy Cheung Urban Studies Programme, The Chinese University of Hong Kong C Y Chiu Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Shue Yan University |
Abstract
Recent studies have shown adolescents in Hong Kong have experienced symptoms of various mental disorders. These may have lasting impacts into adulthood, leading to a significant disease burden. A strength-focused, youth-driven, and co-creative mental health prevention programme was conducted among adolescents in Hong Kong. This newlydesigned programme aimed to train adolescents in an 8-week programme to increase their awareness of mental health issues and to implement their own community mental health educational activities to reduce stigma and promote mental health and mental wellbeing among the youths in the community. In this pilot study, 46 youth trainees were recruited through community centres and schools. After completing the 8-week training, 22 educational activities were designed and implemented between November 2022 to March 2023. The results showed that the stigma held by the trainees significantly reduced whereas the qualitative data showed that they held a more positive attitude towards mental illnesses, more self-understanding and found ways to manage their emotions. The trainees also reported that the sharing from peers in recovery and the hands-on experience in organising the activities supported these positive changes. The implications of this pilot study were discussed. |
摘要
改善香港青少年的精神健康及減少污名化的青年主導共創精神健康培訓計劃:先導研究之見解 研究顯示不少香港青少年曾經或正在經歷不同的精神疾病的徵狀,這些情況可能會帶來長遠的影響。此研究在香港青少年中開展了一項強調優勢、青年主導、以及共同創新的精神健康預防計劃。計劃旨在透過為期八節的小組培訓以提高青少年對精神健康議題的認識,並在完成培訓後將他們所學的精神健康知識應用於為期六個月的「共創階段」,在所屬社區舉辦教育活動向其他青少年推廣精神健康,以減輕污名化及促進社區上青少年的精神健康。在此項先導研究中,團隊透過社區機構和學校招募了總共46 名青少年練習生參與培訓,並於2022 年11 月至2023 年3 月期間共舉辦了由青少年主導的22 項社區精神健康教育活動。研究結果顯示,練習生對精神健康的污名化明顯減少。而質性數據顯示,他們對精神疾病持有更正面的態度、更多的自我認識,以及找到有效的管理情緒方法。練習生亦表示復元人士的分享以及組織活動的實踐經驗有助他們產生正面改變。 |
Keywords
Positive youth development, mental health prevention, adolescents, youth-led, stigma
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Unrevealed Truths About Normal Families: A Clinician’s Learning and Reflections from Family Work
Y Cheung
Counselling & Psychology Department
Hong Kong Shue Yan University
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Abstract
A child’s survival and development are greatly influenced by their parents and family. Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan and civilized city, where most parents recognize dysfunctional or toxic families, such as those trapped in extreme poverty or with ineffective parents due to their suffering from severe mental illnesses. The author, an experienced counseling psychologist, has seen many families or individuals who suffer in different ways, even though they come from seemingly healthy and normal families. Four types of families that underwent counseling were explored and discussed in this paper, namely families with a single child, overly closely attached families, immigrant families, and families with maritally unhappy mothers. A case study was also included to illustrate how parents and families can reconcile their family rupture and restore children’s mental health. This paper intends to enhance parents’ awareness and recognition of their power and influence over their children and to provide insight for practitioners who may have frequent contact with such families. |
摘要
關於普通家庭的未揭真相:一位心理學家在家庭工作中的學習與思考 父母和家庭深深影響孩子的生存和成長。本文探索並討論了四種香港日趨普遍的家庭類型,即獨生子女家庭、關係過於緊密的家庭、移民家庭和母親婚姻不幸福的家庭,闡述這些家庭如何不經意影響了孩子的發展。本文還通過一個案例研究,記錄了家庭如何修補裂痕、幫助孩子恢復身心健康的過程。 |
Keywords
family work, child development, family influences
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Psychological Support for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Special Needs in Hubei Province
C J Tang Pediatric Department, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Child Psychology Committee of Hubei Psychological Counselors Association S Y Hu Developmental and Educational Psychology Institute, Wuhan University Child Psychology Committee of Hubei Psychological Counselors Association J Y Fan Pediatric Department, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Developmental and Educational Psychology Institute, Wuhan University Child Psychology Committee of Hubei Psychological Counselors Association |
Abstract
To understand the parents’ burden of children with special needs, we conducted a survey on parents of 186 children in a rehabilitation center in central China. We surveyed and analyzed the parents’ needs, the result suggested that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and special needs faced tremendous pressures and are in urgent need of psychological support and intervention. The language problem is a key issue for children with ASD and special needs, and it is also the parents’ biggest worry. The government, educational institutions, rehabilitation institutions and social personnel can reduce the burden on parents of children with ASD and special needs by various forms of support. |
摘要
湖北地區以孤獨症譜系障礙為主的康復兒童家長心理需求 為了解以孤獨症譜系障礙為主的特殊需求兒童家長的心理負擔,我們對中國中部地區一家康復中心正在治療中的186 名兒童的家長進行了調查。我們收集並分析了家長當前面臨的困難及需求,證實了以孤獨症譜系障礙為主的特殊需求兒童的家長面臨著巨大的壓力,迫切需要進行心理干預。 |
Keyword
autism spectrum disorder, psychological demands, primary caregiver
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Case Studies of Sandtray Play in Promoting Recovery of Children with Psychological Trauma
X W Gong Child Psychology Committee of Hubei Psychological Counselors Association S Y Hu Child Psychology Committee of Hubei Psychological Counselors Association Developmental and Educational Psychology Institute, Wuhan University J Y Fan Child Psychology Committee of Hubei Psychological Counselors Association Developmental and Educational Psychology Institute, Wuhan University Pediatric Department, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University |
Abstract
Psychological trauma recovery is an important component in the treatment of children’s mental and physical problems, and sandtray play therapy has unique advantages in theintervention of children’s psychological trauma recovery. In the practice of interventionfor children with special needs, we found that many caregivers have parenting problemssuch as pampering and strict parenting style, continuous unstable emotions and excessiveemphasis on discipling, resulting in children experiencing long-term social or achievement failure, forming psychological trauma, which greatly affects self-awareness and personality development.This study reported four cases to explore the process of sandtray play therapy for four types of children: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Depression Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Mental Retardation (MR). The study organized the psychological trauma recovery process of the children into four dimensions: emotions, social interaction, mental development, and personal growth, with each dimension divided into five stages. The study aimed to investigate methods for children’s psychological trauma recovery. The results showed that the five factors in sandtray play therapy: the creation of a creative theme space, the representation of trauma, the development of trauma stories, the close relationship between the therapist and the client, and the educational guidance of the primary caregivers – played significant roles in the effectiveness of psychological trauma recovery. This study made exploration of psychological treatment methods for children with special needs. |
摘要
沙盤遊戲治療兒童心理創傷案例研究 心理創傷復原是兒童身心問題治療中的重要環節,沙盤遊戲在兒童心理創傷復原的干預中具有獨特優勢。我們在特殊兒童干預實踐中發現,很多教養者存在寵溺與嚴苛並存的教養方式、持續不穩定情緒和過度重視規則教育等問題,導致兒童長期經歷著社交或成就失敗,形成心理創傷,極大地影響自我意識和人格發展。 本研究採用個案彙報對四種類型:自閉症譜系障礙、抑鬱症、多動症、心智發育遲緩兒童實施沙盤遊戲治療的過程,整理了患兒在情緒、社交、心智發展和個人成長性四個維度,每個維度又分為五個階段的心理創傷復原過程,探討兒童心理創傷復原治療方法。結果發現,在沙盤遊戲療法中,創造性主題場所、創傷的再現、創傷故事的發展、治療師與來訪者的親密關係、主要教養者的教育指導這五個因素對心理創傷復原的效果有重要意義。本研究對特殊需要兒童的心理治療方法進行了探索。 |
Keywords
sandtray play, psychological trauma, psychological recovery, autism spectrum |
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RxVR for Young People with Depression and Dysthymia: A Realist Review
Maria Rae
Deakin University
Judi Parson
Deakin University
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Abstract
One of the most prevalent mental health issues of young people in Australia is depression. With an under resourced and inadequate mental health system, this means that many young people are not receiving assistance for their disorder. One option to help overcome this stigma of therapy and make it more accessible and engaging for young people is the utilisation Virtual Reality (VR) games and applications. This study aimed to identify the clinical reasoning behind the use of VR for young people experiencing depression and dysthymia. Due to the lack of research in this area, a realist review was deemed to be a suitable method of review. Several databases were searched systematically and tested for relevance and rigor using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) (Hong et al., 2018). This tool is used to assess the methodological quality of various types of studies, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. Data were then organised into Context-Mechanism-Outcome (C-M-O) configurations and contextualised within the framework of the Therapeutic Powers of Play (TPOP). It is theorised that there are several different contexts in which VR would be effective at helping to reduce symptoms of depression, such as the use of personalised avatars, immersion and presence, enjoyment and accessibility. Due to the nature of this review, C-M-O configurations were not able to be tested and further research in this area needs to be undertaken. |
摘要
針對抑鬱症和癔症青少年的RxVR:現實主義評論 抑鬱症是澳大利亞年輕人最普遍的心理健康問題之一。由於心理健康系統資源不足且不 完善,這意味著許多年輕人無法獲得治療抑鬱症的幫助。虛擬實境(VR)遊戲和應用是幫助克服這種治療恥辱感並使年輕人更容易接受和參與治療的一種選擇。本研究旨在 確定為患有抑鬱症和癔症的年輕人使用 VR背後的臨床原因。由於缺乏這方面的研究,現實主義綜述被認為是一種合適的綜述方法。我們系統地搜索了多個資料庫,並使用混合方法評估工具(MMAT)(Hong et al., 2018)然後將資料整理成情境— 機制— 結果(C-M-O)配置,並在遊戲治療力(TPOP)框架內進行情境化。根據理論,VR 可以在幾種不同的情境中有效地幫助減輕抑鬱症狀,例如使用個性化的頭像、沉浸感和臨場感、享受性和可及性。由於本綜述的性質,無法對C-M-O 配置進行測試,因此需要在這一領域開展進一步的研究。 |
Keywords
Virtual Reality (VR), systematic realist review, Therapeutic Powers of Play (TPOP), Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), Depression |
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