香港心理衞生期刊 五十一卷第一期二０二五年夏 Hong Kong Journal of Mental Health Volume 51 No. 1 2025 Summer
Message from Issue Editor
Address Minority Stress and Acknowledge Ethnic Diversity: Renaming “Ethnic Minority” in a Predominantly Chinese Society
K C Lo
Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
W K Wong
Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong
Tracy W Y Li
Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong
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Abstract
| “Ethnic minority” is a term widely used to describe people with non-mainstream ethnic backgrounds in different countries/districts. However, the minority stress theory states that prejudice, stigma, and discrimination create a stressful social environment that causes mental health problems for people in disadvantaged communities. The term “minority”, therefore, implies a negative perception of people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Through a review of the application of terms in different places and their implications. This study suggests an alternative term, “ethnic diversity (ED)”, as a renaming campaign to promote a new page for embracing multicultural strengths and the environment in Hong Kong. |
摘要
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正視少數族群壓力與族裔多元性：香港華人主流社會中「少數族裔」稱謂的重新審視 「少數族裔」是一個廣泛用於描述不同國家或地區中非主流族裔背景人群的術語。然而，少數族群壓力理論指出，偏見、污名和歧視會創造出一個繃緊的社會環境，從而導致弱勢群體的心理健康問題。當中，「少數」這一術語暗指了對來自不同文化背景的族群的負面看法。通過對不同地方術語應用及其含義的回顧，根據關鍵詞搜索機制的結果，本研究建議使用替代名稱「多元族裔」(ethnic diversity) 作為重新命名運動，以促進擁抱多元文化的力量和推動香港跨族裔共存的環境。 |
Keywords
| ethnic minority, minority stress, multiculture, Chinese, Hong Kong |
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Culturally Adapted Service to Support Mental Health of Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong SAR
Winnie Ng The Zubin Foundation Shalini Mahtani The Zubin Foundation |
Abstract
| Language and cultural barriers, low awareness and stigma of mental health are the main barriers that hinder ethnic minorities from seeking professional help for their mental health issues. In view of this, The Hong Kong SAR Government has piloted an initiative, providing free 1:1 counselling service to ethnic minorities in English, Hindi, Urdu and Nepali and public outreach to support mental health of ethnic minorities. This paper provides details of this culturally adapted service and learnings from the project. |
摘要
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為支援少數族裔的精神健康就文化作出調節的服務 語言和文化障礙、對心理健康的低認知和污名化是少數族裔尋求專業心理健康幫助的主要障礙。有見及此，香港特別行政區政府試行一項計劃，為少數族裔提供英語、印地語、烏爾都語和尼泊爾語的免費一對一諮詢服務，並進行公眾宣傳，以支援少數族裔的心理健康。本文闡述有關此項就少數族裔文化作出調節的服務內容及所得出的經驗。 |
Keywords
cultural sensitivity, counselling, ethnic minorities, mental health, Hong Kong
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Revisit the Concept of Culturally Sensitive Interventions (CSIs) and Its Implications for Social Work Practices in Hong Kong
K C Lo
Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
S H Ho
Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong
S C Fok
Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong
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Abstract
| The social work profession commits to embracing diversity and including people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Addressing cultural sensitivity to these populations is the key, but this is always a grand concept for the frontline practitioners. This article aims to revisit the concept of Culturally Sensitive Interventions (CSIs) and propose a framework for Hong Kong with a Chinese-dominated society. The proposed framework focuses on each stage of the case, group and community work, namely 1) the readiness of the social worker; 2) planning; 3) implementation; and 4) evaluation and sustainability. This framework is expected to formulate culturally informed practices in protocol building. It also suggests the standardization of training and interventions for social workers on the holistic wellness of ethnically diverse populations. |
摘要
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重新審視「文化敏感度介入」（CSIs）的概念及其對香港社會工作實踐的啟示 社會工作專業致力於擁抱多元文化，包容不同文化及族裔背景的人士。故此，對這些群體保持文化敏感度至為關鍵。然而，文化敏感度介入一詞對於前線社會工作者而言往往是一個宏大而抽象的概念。本文旨在重新審視「文化敏感度介入」(Culturally Sensitive Interventions, CSIs) 的理論，並為以華人為主體的香港社會提出一個實踐框架。該框架聚焦於個案、小組及社區層面的階段，亦包括前線服務的策劃、計劃制定、實施執行及評估與持續發展。此框架預期能建立一套文化認知實踐模式，透過制定標準化介入及培訓方案，幫助社會工作者更好地服務多元族裔群體的整全健康需求。 |
Keywords
multicultural social work, culturally sensitive interventions, cultural competency,
mental health, Hong Kong
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A Qualitative Inquiry into Non-Local University Students’ Mental Health Literacy and Coping Mechanisms: Implications for University-Based Mental Health Interventions
Jan Celebrado School of Graduate Studies, Lingnan University Emefa Awuku Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University Theingi Aung Department of Government and International Affairs, Lingnan University |
Abstract
| Mental health issues among university students have remained a significant global health concern. Previous studies in Hong Kong SAR have documented alarming rates of psychological distress, substantially impacting university students’ personal, social, and academic functioning. Notably, non-local students’ mental health experiences remain understudied, often being conflated with those of local students within existing empirical studies. This descriptive qualitative research addresses this critical empirical gap by focusing on non-local students’ mental health literacy and coping mechanisms. Through semi-structured interviews with 14 undergraduate and postgraduate non-local students at a University Grants Committee-funded university in Hong Kong SAR, the study reveals contradictory findings on non-local students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices in addressing their mental health needs. While most participants demonstrate an advanced understanding of mental health, some participants still associate the concept primarily with mental illness or disorders. Moreover, despite acknowledging the importance of helpseeking behaviors for their mental health needs, participants exhibit notable reluctance in utilizing university-based mental health services. The study also foregrounds a three-tiered pathway characterizing non-local students’ mental health management: (1) intrapersonal coping strategies, (2) informal social support networks, and (3) institutional mental health services. These findings provide empirical evidence to inform targeted policy recommendations aimed at enhancing mental health support for non-local students within higher education contexts in Hong Kong SAR. |
摘要
| 非本地大學生心理健康素養和應對機制的定性研究：對大學心理健康干預的啟示
大學生的心理健康問題仍然是全球關注的重大健康問題。以前在中國香港地區的研究表明，心理困擾的發生率令人擔憂，並對大學生的個人、社會和學業方面產生重大影響。值得注意的是，非本地學生的心理健康經歷仍未得到充分研究，在現有的實證研究中往往與本地學生的心理健康經歷混為一談。這項描述性定性研究通過關注非本地學生的心理健康素養和應對機制，彌補了這一關鍵的實證研究空白。研究通過對香港特別行政區一所由大學教育資助委員會資助的大學中14名非本地本科生和研究生進行半結構化訪談，研究揭示了非本地學生在應對其心理健康需求方面的知識、態度和做法等方面相互矛盾的結果。此外，儘管參與者承認求助行為對滿足其心理健康需求的重要性，但他們在利用大學心理健康服務方面表現出明顯的猶豫態度。研究還構建了非本地學生心理健康管理的三層途徑：（1）個人內部應對策略；（2）非正式社會支援網路；（3）院校心理健康服務。這些研究結果提供了實證證據，為在香港特別行政區高等教育背景下加強對非本地學生的心理健康支持提供了有針對性的政策建議。 |
Keyword
non-local students, mental health literacy, coping mechanism
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Exploration of Parenting as an Occupation in Persons with Mental Health Challenges – An Occupational Therapy Perspective
Karen Yip The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong Eris Ho The Mental Health Specialty Group, Hong Kong Occupational Therapy Association Emily Sin The Mental Health Specialty Group, Hong Kong Occupational Therapy Association Vera Lam The Mental Health Specialty Group, Hong Kong Occupational Therapy Association |
Abstract
| This paper explores the increasing incidence of child maltreatment in Hong Kong and the critical role of Occupational Therapy (OT) in supporting affected parents, particularly those facing mental and physical health challenges. Utilizing the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), this paper examines how factors such as volition, habituation, and performance capacity influence parenting. The findings highlight the detrimental impact of maltreatment on children’s development and the cyclical nature of abusive behaviors into adulthood. By assessing parenting roles and developing tailored interventions, OTs can enhance parental skills, establish supportive routines, and modify environments to promote effective parenting. The paper emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, occupationfocused approach to empower parents, reduce the risk of maltreatment, and foster healthier family dynamics. Ultimately, it calls for collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals, social services, and the community to address parents’ multifaceted challenges in their critical roles. |
摘要
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從職業治療看育兒 本文以職業治療角度探討在職業治療專業在支援父母，特別是具有身心健康挑戰的父母所發揮的關鍵作用。透過利用人類職業模式（MOHO）研究價值觀、生活習慣和能力表現等因素如何影響育兒表現，結果亦重點強調虐待對兒童發展的有害影響以致成年後出現虐待行為的週期性。職業治療師透過評估家長在育兒角色表現和實施個別化干預，可提升育兒技巧、建立慣性支持和進行環境調適以促進有效的育兒。本文強調需要採取全面性及以職業角色為中心的方法來賦予父母權力、減少虐待風險和促進家庭健康動力，並呼籲醫護人員、社會服務機構和社區鄰里間相互合作，支持父母在親職角色中面對的多方面挑戰。 |
Keywords
| Occupational Therapy, Parenting, Mental Health, MOHO, Child Development |
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