Factors contributing to the psychological well-being for Hong Kong Chinese children from low-income families: a qualitative study

Peer Relationship Profiles among Early Adolescents from Low-Income Families: The Unique and Combined Effects of Attachment to Mothers and Conscientiousness

Using research data gathered from multiple sources, the current study explored positive aspects of peer relationship profiles (indexed by peer-nominated acceptance and self-reported friendships) in a person-centered approach among early adolescents from low-income families. Moreover, this study investigated the unique and combined associations of adolescents' attachment to mothers and parent-rated conscientiousness with emerging peer relationship profiles. A total of 295 early adolescents (42.7% girls; M_age = 10.94, SD = 0.80) were involved in this study. Latent profile analysis identified three empirically derived peer relationship profiles: "isolated" (14.6%), "socially competent" (16.3%), and "average" (69.1%). Moderation analyses further showed that adolescents with secure attachment to mothers tend to have group memberships in socially competent and average profiles than the isolated profile. Such an association pattern was more heightened for those with higher conscientiousness (versus lower conscientiousness).

Feasibility and Acceptability of Using FirstPlay® to Enhance Mother-Child Interaction: A pilot study of mothers' perspectives

Background

Although there is evidence that human touch facilitates mother-child bonding, mothers' understanding of how to connect with and develop the emotional regulation of their babies remains unclear.

Objectives

This study used a Storytelling Massage program to investigate mothers' experience of practicing reciprocal interactions with their children. Specifically, it explored the efficacy of multi-sensory activities for building healthy parent-child bonds.

Method

Participants included 12 mothers with children between 8 and 23 months. These mothers participated in a 6-session program on FirstPlay Infant Storytelling-Massage Intervention (FirstPlay Therapy) and attended an individual semi-structured interview after the program. Data were analyzed using a phenomenological approach.

Results

The FirstPlay program positively affected the participants' self-efficacy in parent-child bonding and parenting beliefs. Five themes were identified: "bonding with the child-connect and engage," "attending to the child's uniqueness and needs," "developing a structure and a daily routine," "feeling calm and relaxed as a person," and "gaining confidence as a mom."

Conclusion

The results of this study further support the need for low-cost, high-impact programs that enhance parent-child interactions. Limitations of this study are discussed. Future research and practical implications are also suggested.

A Descriptive and Phenomenological Exploration of the Spiritual Needs of Chinese Children Hospitalized with Cancer

Spiritual well-being is the fourth dimension of health, as equally important as physical, mental, and social well-being. The shadow of death associated with cancer triggers children to explore their personal values, meanings, and life goals throughout the illness trajectory, enabling them to identify their unique spiritual needs. Chinese children are generally non-religious, unlike Western children, which affects their spiritual needs. To address the literature gaps, we applied a qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological approach for exploring the spiritual needs of Chinese children hospitalized with cancer. Purposive sampling was conducted in two public hospitals with special wards for pediatric oncology patients in Hunan Province, China. Consequently, 22 children, hospitalized with cancer, were recruited and individually interviewed using a semi-structured interview format. We conducted a thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. Four important themes were identified: the need for self-exploration, inner needs, need for a connection with others, and need for a connection with gods, supernatural powers, and fictional characters. We found that culture significantly influenced the spiritual needs of Chinese children with cancer. Hope was a key factor motivating the children to continue cancer treatment. To address their unique spiritual needs, culturally specific interventions should be developed and incorporated into their care to enhance their spiritual well-being.

Use of a positive psychology intervention (PPI) to promote the psychological well-being of children living in poverty: study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Poverty has a detrimental influence on psychological well-being of children. Existing evidence shows that positive psychology interventions are possible to mitigate such impact. Despite criticisms that positive psychology resembles a scientific Pollyannaism that promotes overly positivity, positive psychology is not the scientific Pollyannaism that denies the difficulties and emotions that people may experience. Whereas, positive psychology acknowledges the difficulties and emotions, alongside with building up human resilience, strength and growth to face adversity. This study examined the feasibility of implementing a positive psychology intervention among Hong Kong Chinese children living in poverty.

METHODS

A feasibility randomised controlled trial will be conducted. A convenience sample of 120 children aged 13-17 years will be recruited from a community centre in Kwai Tsing district. Participants who are randomised into the experimental group will join a 1.5-hour workshop covering four positive psychology techniques: (1) gratitude visits/letters, (2) three good things, (3) you at your best and (4) using signature strengths. A booster intervention will be provided at 1 week. Control group participants will not receive any intervention. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and at 1-week, 1-month, 3-month and 6-month follow-ups.

ANALYSIS

Descriptive statistics will be used to calculate the feasibility measures. Effect sizes on psychological outcomes (ie, self-esteem, depressive symptoms and quality of life) will be estimated by mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance using partial eta squared with poverty (yes, no) entering into the model as a factor.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval has been obtained from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institutional Review Broad. We will obtain parental consent as our subjects are below 18 years old. Findings from this study will be disseminated via international publications and conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04875507.

Children's Lived Experiences in Poverty in Hong Kong as a High-Income Asian Society

Child poverty situated in different socioeconomic and environmental contexts has long been a central concern for practitioners, researchers, and policy makers. However, concerned research studies are predominantly adult-centric, confined to specific areas, or seldom found in Asian developed economies. Against the backdrop of this research gap, this study examines children’s experiences of poverty in relation to economic and material aspects, social relationships and participation, and psychological and emotional wellbeing, and their ways of coping with the effects of poverty. Using a purposive sampling method, a total of 40 children participants aged 8–14 living in or near poverty were recruited for an individual interview. The study showed that children experienced a range of deprivations in relation to falling short of the resources, opportunities, and activities that are commanded by average young persons. Limited living space also stands out as a more severe problem that is difficult to cope with. The various coping strategies include small spending savvy tactics, parental buffering, compensation, and mental coping. Proximity to schools and NGOs can help children in poverty to cope with problems caused by deprivations in different aspects. Implications for research studies and practice for working with children in or near poverty are discussed accordingly.

Pediatric brain tumor survivors' lived experience of engaging in a musical training program which promoted their psychological well-being: a qualitative study

PURPOSE

Musical training has been found to promote psychological well-being and quality of life among pediatric brain tumor survivors. Yet, the essential elements of musical training that influence its efficacy remain unknown. This study aimed to examine the lived experience of engaging in the musical training program from the perspectives of pediatric brain tumor survivors, their parents, and interveners.

METHODS

We employed a descriptive phenomenological approach. Twenty pediatric brain tumor survivors (aged 8-15 years) who had undergone musical training in a previous trial were selected, along with their parents (13 mothers and 7 fathers) and 7 interveners, to participate in individual semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was conducted according to Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenology method.

RESULTS

Five main themes emerged from the interviews: overcoming difficulties encountered during the initial phase of the musical training program, improved psychological and emotional well-being, facilitation of participation in musical training program, appreciation of the benefits of joining the musical training program, and expectation of future musical training program. The musical training program improved the psychological and emotional well-being of pediatric brain tumor survivors by promoting positive mood, facilitating emotional management and expression, and enhancing self-confidence. In addition, learning in a supportive environment is crucial in facilitating survivors to overcome adversity during their learning process.

CONCLUSION

This study addressed a literature gap by exploring how a musical training program promoted psychological well-being among pediatric brain tumor survivors. The study findings inform the importance of tailoring musical training program based on survivors' learning abilities and needs.

Low-income parents' perceptions of the importance of a musical training programme for their children: a qualitative study

Background

Despite clear evidence for the effectiveness of musical training in promoting psychological well-being among underprivileged children, parents’ perceptions of the importance of such training for their children remains unknown.

Methods

Of the parents of 171 underprivileged preschool children in Hong Kong who had participated in a free musical training programme, 25 were randomly selected and invited to participate in individual semi-structured interviews. Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological data analysis strategy was followed for analysing the data.

Results

The results showed that parents identified numerous benefits of the programme for their child, including increased happiness, improved confidence, positive behavioural changes, and enhanced parent-child relationships. At the beginning of the programme, parents tended to disregard the usefulness of musical training but gradually came to recognise its importance for their children’s psychological and social well-being. However, children were limited by their parents’ financial constraints from participating in musical training after the free programme ended.

Conclusions

These findings imply that existing policy may overlook the psychosocial needs of underprivileged children and suggest that more resources should be allocated to facilitate the continuity and sustainability of such a free programme for this vulnerable population.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02762786, registered on May 5, 2016.

Promoting physical activity among children with cancer through an integrated experiential training programme with coaching: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

The study aim was to investigate how the integrated experiential training programme with coaching could motivate children undergoing cancer treatment to adopt and maintain physical activity.

METHODS

A descriptive phenomenological approach was used. A purposive sample of 23 children and their parents participated in one-to-one 25-30-minute semistructured interviews. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed. Colaizzi's method of descriptive phenomenological data analysis was used.

RESULTS

The integrated programme motivated children with cancer by increasing children's and parents' knowledge of physical activity, enhancing confidence in physical activity and improving physical and psychological well-being. Moreover, the programme provided children with encouragement and psychological support through coach companionship. The programme also facilitated children's participation in physical activity and modified perceptions of physical activity.

CONCLUSION

This study addressed a gap in the literature by exploring how an integrated programme promoted and maintained physical activity in childhood cancer patients.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The integrated experiential training programme is feasible and can be easily sustained. Future studies could extend the programme beyond aspects of physical activity to help people change their health practices and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Big Data Approach as an Institutional Innovation to Tackle Hong Kong’s Illegal Subdivided Unit Problem

While applications of big data have been extensively studied, discussion is mostly made from the perspectives of computer science, Internet services, and informatics. Alternatively, this article takes the big data approach as an institutional innovation and uses the problem of illegal subdivided units (ISUs) in Hong Kong as a case study. High transaction costs incurred in identification of suspected ISUs and associated enforcement actions lead to a proliferation of ISUs in the city. We posit that the deployment of big data analytics can lower these transaction costs, enabling the government to tackle the problem of illegal accommodations. We propose a framework for big data collection, analysis, and feedback. As the findings of a structured questionnaire survey reveal, building professionals believed that the proposed framework could reduce transaction costs of ISU identification. Yet, concerns associated with the big data approach like privacy and predictive policing were also raised by the professionals.