March 08, 2017

Ng, P., Su, S., Chan, V., Leung, H., Cheung, W., & Tsun, A

Journal

Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development

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Abstract

This study validated a Perceived Campus Caring Scale with 1,520 university students. Using factor analysis, seven factors namely, Faculty Support, Nonfaculty Support, Peer Relationship, Sense of Detachment, Sense of Belonging, Caring Attitude, and Campus Involvement, are identified with high reliability, validity, and close correlation with the Satisfaction With Life Scale.

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Information source:

Petrus Ng

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

November 14, 2015

Hall. P

Alliant International University, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2015. 3735216.

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Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of an individual mindfulness-based intervention to alleviate burnout in geriatric healthcare providers in Hong Kong. This case study examined the effects of the intervention on a geriatric healthcare professional working in a nursing home in Hong Kong who presented with symptoms of burnout. Burnout is commonly found in intensive care personnel. Many studies in recent years have shown that mindfulness-based group intervention is effective in reducing stress and burnout in healthcare professionals; however, few studies have examined the effects of individual treatment of burnout among geriatric healthcare professionals in the Chinese population. This study also used mindfulness meditation model of 15 forms of mindfulness meditation combined with psychoeducation of burnout and stress. An individual intervention seemed applicable to this population due to their work overload and tight schedule within the Hong Kong geriatric healthcare services. The participant received a 6-week mindfulness-based intervention, comprising 12 hours of class time, and completed measures of mindfulness, compassion, burnout, anxiety, stress, and depression at baseline, midway, post, and 90 days following the intervention. The participants also gave weekly ratings of responses to stressful situations at work. Findings indicated that mindfulness training significantly correlated to self-compassion levels and were associated with reduced symptoms of burnout. These results seem to infer the feasibility and usefulness of individual mindfulness interventions for geriatric healthcare professionals in the Chinese population.

Information source:

Pauline Hall

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

March 15, 2014

Lau. C.

This study sought to address the needs of substance abuse professionals (SAPs) in Hong Kong who work with individuals with comorbid substance abuse and trauma. It also sought to evaluate factors that might promote resilience and reduce the likelihood of secondary traumatic stress among these professionals, as well asto elicit professionals’ perceptions of needs and services to support their work with traumatized individuals. To achieve this, this study examined the kind of

traumatic material to which SAPs are exposed, how this material affects their mentaland physical health, their

thoughts about their work, and also their needs to continue in this work.

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The study utilized a qualitative, critical incident interview approach to collect narratives of 20 social workers in substance abuse treatment centers who were currently working with individuals with comorbid substance abuse and trauma.The results showed that it was very common for SAPs to be exposed to traumatic material. The traumatic material included childhood, adolescent, and adult traumatic experiences related to sexual, physical, psychological abuse and neglect, and clients’ suicidal attempts and deaths.

Client suicide, which the SAPS responded to with great shock, sorrow, deep guilt, and numbness , was among the most difficult experiences to manage. Resilience took the form of growth that occurred as a result from their struggle to deal with secondary trauma and its consequences. This growth included increased awareness of the importance of self-care and personal needs, an increased sense of empathy for their clients, finding meaning in helping, a broadened life perspective , and more tolerance and patience to face life’s difficulties. SAPs coping strategies included spirituality, positive thinking, self-talk, mindfulness, engaging in pleasurable and relaxing activities, and seeking out professional help, such as therapy.

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Among the needs SAPs identified to support this difficult work, participants emphasized sharing with fellow colleagues and supervisors, and more individual, clinical, and peer supervision. Clinical trainings on trauma work, education on trauma and secondary trauma, trainings on resilience and the handling of client suicide are also needed to reduce the impact of secondary traumatization .

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Information source:

Cora Lau

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

March 15, 2014

Tsang, S.K..

South China Morning Post.

Excerpt : Hong Kong is a rich city but very poor indeed when it comes to the mental health resources provided to the public. The shortage of psychiatrists in the public health sector, on which most citizens rely, is one of the major reasons needy people fail to get timely psychiatric services and the necessary intervention.

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Suicidal risk assessment poses a great challenge to mental health professionals. They cannot say with absolute certainty that patients will definitely not harm themselves or other people after they leave the consultation room. Nonetheless, these patients should be attended to in a timely fashion. This allows professionals to more effectively assess if a person may hurt him or herself and perhaps another person.

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We understand there is no quick way to solve the shortage of psychiatric professionals. However, the government should allocate more resources for mental health services. When deciding how the money should be spent, officials could look to good examples set by countries like the US regarding suicidal assessment. Patients are assessed in hospitals by a team of mental health professionals. Clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and psychiatric nurses are properly trained to handle patients with emotionally disturbed and psychiatric conditions. Having patients jointly assessed by them at the triage level would be a feasible solution.

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Information source:

Ken Tsang

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

July 31, 2011

Ng, P., Wan, E., Law, K. K., Yip, C. Y., Lau, R., Law, W. Y., Lee, P. T. & Tse, K. M.

The Hong Kong Journal of Social Work, 45(1/2), 59-72. DOI: 10.1142/S0219211000076. (Summer/Winter, 2011)

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Information source:

Petrus Ng

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

November 23, 2012

Ng, P., Chun, R W.K., Tsun, A.

The Scientific World Journal
Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 232619, 8 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/2012/232619

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Abstract

Auditory hallucination is a positive symptom of schizophrenia and has significant impacts on the lives of individuals. People with auditory hallucination require considerable assistance from mental health professionals. Apart from medications, they may apply different lay methods to cope with their voice hearing. Results from qualitative interviews showed that people with schizophrenia in the Chinese sociocultural context of Hong Kong were coping with auditory hallucination in different ways, including (a) changing social contacts, (b) manipulating the voices, and (c) changing perception and meaning towards the voices. Implications for recovery from psychiatric illness of individuals with auditory hallucinations are discussed.

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Information source:

Petrus Ng

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

August 31, 2013

Ng P, Tsun A, Su S, Young D.

Asia Pac Psychiatry.

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Abstract

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INTRODUCTION:

Depression is predicted to become the world's second leading cause of disability by 2020 according to the World Health Organization. Cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI), recognized as a viable and effective treatment for depression, is becoming more widely used among Chinese clients. However, information about the application of this Western approach in the Chinese population is very limited.

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METHODS:

This paper discusses adaptations of CBI protocols for Chinese patients, considering the major Chinese cultural characteristics of predestination, losing face, avoiding conflict, and Yin-Yang balance (PLAY) for persons with depression.

RESULTS:

Illustrated is the application of the PLAY protocol in the actual case of a 35-year-old woman with depression. Implications for integrating Chinese cultural characteristics with CBI are discussed.

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DISCUSSION:

There is evidence for adaptations of CBI for enhancing its effectiveness among Chinese people within their cultural context. Since there are limited studies on cultural-sensitive CBI for Chinese people, the conclusions drawn from this study are only preliminary. Further studies that verify the findings reported in this paper are necessary.

Copyright © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

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Information source:

Petrus Ng

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

June 15, 2010

Ng, P & Ho, W.C.

Practice: Social Work in Action, 22(3), June 2010, pp.167-179.

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Abstract

Noting that the primary purpose of supervision or consultation is to help consultees to work more effectively, this paper discusses the tasks and roles of the clinical consultant at different stages of the consultation process. Using a particular consultation case, where the consultee is a mental health social worker working in a non-government community mental health organisation for people with severe mental illness and a history of violence, this paper demonstrates the application of a 4 stage generic model in mental health consultation. The 4 stages making up the generic model are: entry, diagnosis, implementation and disengagement. The article presents excerpts from the discussions between the consultee and the consultant about the case. The authors discuss the consultation, the Hong Kong context, and practice implications.

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Information source:

Petrus Ng

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

September 22, 2008

Ng P, Chan KF.

Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 51(3-4), 367-378. DOI: 10.1080/01634370802039726.

Abstract

This article reports an exploratory study on the effects of an integrated group program for improving the sleep quality of elderly people in Hong Kong. Elderly people aged over 55 who had obtained a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score > 5 were recruited as subjects of the study. While 19 subjects of the treatment group were taking part in an integrated group program involving social group work intervention as well as Chinese medicine therapeutics, 9 subjects of comparison group received no intervention. Using a pretest and posttest design, the study revealed positive effects of the integrated group program. It has added knowledge serving the development of interventions that can help to improve the sleep quality of elderly people.

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Information source:

Petrus Ng

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

October 09, 2008

Ng, P. and Ho, W.C.

Journal of Social Work in Disability & Rehabilitation

Abstract

Alzheimers Disease is a form of progressive dementia associated with diffuse degeneration of the brain, and has become more common in Hong Kong as the population has aged. Individuals with Alzheimers Disease may experience symptoms such as memory loss, poor judgement, and incontinence. They generally lack selfcare ability and require considerable care as their illness progresses. As the traditional caring function of Chinese families has been eroded, individuals with the disease pose new challenges to their family caregivers. Research using an intensive interview method revealed that family caregivers of people with Alzheimers Disease suffer heavy psychosocial, financial, and physical burdens.

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Information source:

Petrus Ng

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

September 22, 2008

Ng, P.Y.N. & Ho, W. C.

Journal of Intergenerational Relationships

Abstract

Work and family are two major institutions in society. Family has been considered as an important socializing agent for an individual's growth and development, while work provides the individual opportunities to develop a sense of identity and a self-image. For people with mental illness, work has been recognized as an important tool for facilitating psychiatric rehabilitation. In fact, the work experiences of those with mental illness have an effect on their family relationships, which may in turn affect their mental health. Using an intensive interview method, this article shows that work experiences from sheltered workshops have a significant impact on the family relationships of workers in Hong Kong.

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Information source:

Petrus Ng

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

September 22, 2008

Chan KF, Ng YN, Bian ZX, Shi Y, Lee SP, Ng KY.

Journal of Social Work in Disability and Rehabilitation.5(2), 31-48.

Abstract

Work and family are two major institutions in society. Family has been considered as an important socializing agent for an individual's growth and development, while work provides the individual opportunities to develop a sense of identity and a self-image. For people with mental illness, work has been recognized as an important tool for facilitating psychiatric rehabilitation. In fact, the work experiences of those with mental illness have an effect on their family relationships, which may in turn affect their mental health. Using an intensive interview method, this article shows that work experiences from sheltered workshops have a significant impact on the family relationships of workers in Hong Kong.

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Information source:

Petrus Ng

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

September 20, 2008

Chan KF, Ng YN, Bian ZX, Shi Y, Lee SP, Ng KY.

Social Work in Health Care, 46(4) 39-55. DOI: 10.1300/J010v46n04_03. (November, 2008)

Abstract

Dealing with health and disease is an area of concern for social workers. The establishment of medical social service in a health setting has more than 100 years of history in the USA and more than 60 years in Hong Kong. Despite the increasing popularity of Chinese Medicine (CM) used by the Hong Kong people, there has been no medical social service presence in the CM system. A pilot project demonstrated a successful interdisciplinary collaboration model between social work and CM irrespective of different social work methods, that is, individual work, groupwork, and community-based services. In this article, we will relate the opportunities and difficulties that we encountered in setting up the first medical social service in the CM system. Drawing on our experience, we found that both professions benefited from the interdisciplinary collaboration. CM was able to expand its scope of service to increase the service quality and promote primary health care in the community with the support of social work. Conversely, social workers found that CM is a good resource for providing innovative services to meet the various needs of the people in the community. There was also a ripple effect of incorporating CM elements into social service. The interface between the disciplines of social work and CM can widen the scope of their contributions on health. Implications for CM social service in social work will also be examined.

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Information source:

Petrus Ng

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

December 31, 2007

Ng P, Chan KF, Ho WC.

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 20(1), 53-62. DOI: 10.1515/IJAMH2008.20.1.53. (Jan to Mar., 2008)

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Abstract

This article presents a study comparing the self-esteem and mental health of secondary school students in three metropolitan cities in China: Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing. Before 1997, Hong Kong was under the sovereignty of the British government. After the unification, the city became one of the major economic and political centers corresponding to the other two major cities. In this study, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (SES) were used as measuring instruments. The subjects were junior and senior secondary school students: Hong Kong (N = 1,149), Shanghai (N = 1,987), and Beijing (N = 1,922). No significant difference was found between the self-esteem of students in Beijing and Shanghai, but the self-esteem in the students of both cities was higher than in those from Hong Kong (p <.001). The mental health of Shanghai students was the best among the three cities, followed by Beijing students (p < .001) and Hong Kong students (p <.001). The factors affecting students' self-esteem and mental health in the three cities are explored and the possible explanations for the differences discussed.

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Information source:

Petrus Ng

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

July 19, 2007

Chan KF, Ng YN, Bian ZX, Shi Y, Lee SP, Ng KY.

Journal of Social Work in Disability and Rehabilitation.6(3), 75-87.

Abstract

Emotional ups and downs are common among people with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) as they live with fears about treatment, pain from the illness and unexpected "flare-ups." The side effects of medications have a severe impact on their self-esteem and lead to psychological distress. This paper reports a study on the impact of a psychosocial group program on the self-esteem and psychosocial functioning of people with SLE. A total of 56 people with SLE were recruited to participate in a 6-week, 2.5-hour weekly session psychosocial group. The group served to equip members with knowledge and skills to cope with SLE and stress arising from the illness, to enhance their self-confidence and develop a positive attitude toward the illness, and to enhance their social support network. The members were assessed before the commencement and during the last session of the groups with Rosenberg's Self-esteem Inventory and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30). Results showed that members obtained better scores in self-esteem (p < 0.001) and GHQ (p < 0.001) after the group. The study revealed significant positive changes in self-esteem and psychosocial functioning of people with SLE after the psychosocial group program. The implications for psychosocial programs for people with SLE are discussed.

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Information source:

Petrus Ng

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP

October 31, 2006

Kai-fong Chan, Petrus Ng, Ka-ying Ng

International Social Work, 49(6), 791-803. DOI: 10.1177/0020872806069083. (November, 2006)

Abstract

This article reports a pilot study on an intervention group which integrated behavioral treatment and non-pharmacological Chinese medicine to reduce the problem of insomnia for older Chinese adults. Findings showed that the six-session group intervention was effective. The highlight of each session was presented and implications for social work practice discussed.

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Information source:

Petrus Ng

Clinical Psychologist, HKADCP