香港心理卫生期刊 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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正视少数族群压力与族裔多元性：香港华人主流社会中「少数族裔」称谓的重新审视 「少数族裔」是一个广泛用于描述不同国家或地区中非主流族裔背景人群的术语。然而，少数族群压力理论指出，偏见、污名和歧视会创造出一个绷紧的社会环境，从而导致弱势群体的心理健康问题。当中，「少数」这一术语暗指了对来自不同文化背景的族群的负面看法。通过对不同地方术语应用及其含义的回顾，根据关键词搜索机制的结果，本研究建议使用替代名称「多元族裔」(ethnic diversity) 作为重新命名运动，以促进拥抱多元文化的力量和推动香港跨族裔共存的环境。 |
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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为支援少数族裔的精神健康就文化作出调节的服务 语言和文化障碍、对心理健康的低认知和污名化是少数族裔寻求专业心理健康帮助的主要障碍。有见及此，香港特别行政区政府试行一项计划，为少数族裔提供英语、印地语、乌尔都语和尼泊尔语的免费一对一咨询服务，并进行公众宣传，以支援少数族裔的心理健康。本文阐述有关此项就少数族裔文化作出调节的服务内容及所得出的经验。 |
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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重新审视「文化敏感度介入」（CSIs）的概念及其对香港社会工作实践的启示 社会工作专业致力于拥抱多元文化，包容不同文化及族裔背景的人士。故此，对这些群体保持文化敏感度至为关键。然而，文化敏感度介入一词对于前线社会工作者而言往往是一个宏大而抽象的概念。本文旨在重新审视「文化敏感度介入」(Culturally Sensitive Interventions, CSIs) 的理论，并为以华人为主体的香港社会提出一个实践框架。该框架聚焦于个案、小组及社区层面的阶段，亦包括前线服务的策划、计划制定、实施执行及评估与持续发展。此框架预期能建立一套文化认知实践模式，透过制定标准化介入及培训方案，帮助社会工作者更好地服务多元族裔群体的整全健康需求。 |
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
| 非本地大学生心理健康素养和应对机制的定性研究：对大学心理健康干预的启示
大学生的心理健康问题仍然是全球关注的重大健康问题。以前在中国香港地区的研究表明，心理困扰的发生率令人担忧，并对大学生的个人、社会和学业方面产生重大影响。值得注意的是，非本地学生的心理健康经历仍未得到充分研究，在现有的实证研究中往往与本地学生的心理健康经历混为一谈。这项描述性定性研究通过关注非本地学生的心理健康素养和应对机制，弥补了这一关键的实证研究空白。研究通过对香港特别行政区一所由大学教育资助委员会资助的大学中14名非本地本科生和研究生进行半结构化访谈，研究揭示了非本地学生在应对其心理健康需求方面的知识、态度和做法等方面相互矛盾的结果。此外，尽管参与者承认求助行为对满足其心理健康需求的重要性，但他们在利用大学心理健康服务方面表现出明显的犹豫态度。研究还构建了非本地学生心理健康管理的三层途径：（1）个人内部应对策略；（2）非正式社会支援网路；（3）院校心理健康服务。这些研究结果提供了实证证据，为在香港特别行政区高等教育背景下加强对非本地学生的心理健康支持提供了有针对性的政策建议。 |
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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从职业治疗看育儿 本文以职业治疗角度探讨在职业治疗专业在支援父母，特别是具有身心健康挑战的父母所发挥的关键作用。透过利用人类职业模式（MOHO）研究价值观、生活习惯和能力表现等因素如何影响育儿表现，结果亦重点强调虐待对儿童发展的有害影响以致成年后出现虐待行为的周期性。职业治疗师透过评估家长在育儿角色表现和实施个别化干预，可提升育儿技巧、建立惯性支持和进行环境调适以促进有效的育儿。本文强调需要采取全面性及以职业角色为中心的方法来赋予父母权力、减少虐待风险和促进家庭健康动力，并呼吁医护人员、社会服务机构和社区邻里间相互合作，支持父母在亲职角色中面对的多方面挑战。 |
Keywords
| Occupational Therapy, Parenting, Mental Health, MOHO, Child Development |
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