scholarly journals Subjective Well-Being among Parents of Children with Special Educational Needs in Hong Kong: Impacts of Stigmatized Identity and Discrimination under Social Unrest and COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Frank Tian-Fang Ye ◽  
Kuen-Fung Sin ◽  
Xiaozi Gao
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Educational Needs ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Special Educational Needs ◽  
Social Unrest ◽  
Social Events ◽  
Perceived Impact ◽  
Stigmatized Identity

The COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest have posed a unique set of challenges to Hong Kong. During these two social events, parents of children with special educational needs (SEN) who were already experiencing caregiving pressure, likely coped with additional stressors; they were at a higher risk of mental health problems. A pre-registered, cross-sectional survey study was carried out among 234 Hong Kong parents of children with SEN, investigating the associations of stigmatized identity, perceived discrimination, and subjective well-being under the impact of these social events. Utilizing the Bayesian modelling, we found that highly self-stigmatized parents not only perceived more daily-life discriminating behaviors against them, but also reported having higher distress, more negative emotions, and lower life satisfaction. A higher perceived impact of social events and more discrimination were also associated with lower well-being. Additionally, stigmatized identity, perceived discrimination, and perceived impact of social events demonstrated unique associations with well-being variables, indicating they were substantial stressors. The study called out for public attention to the mental health conditions among parents of children with SEN and other disadvantaged groups in society.

scholarly journals FAMÍLIA E BEM-ESTAR: CONTRIBUTOS PARA UMA EDUCAÇÃO INCLUSIVA

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 375
Author(s):  
Sara Alexandre Felizardo ◽  
Esperança Do Rosário Ribeiro ◽  
Ana Paula Cardoso ◽  
Sofia Campos
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Educational Needs ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Special Educational Needs ◽  
Role Of Parents ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract.FAMILY AND WELL-BEING: CONTRIBUTIONS TO INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONIn our times, research on the well-being and quality of life have come to assume a central role in the discourses and practices of professionals working in the area of people with psychosocial frailty. The scientific literature emphasizes the vastness of this line of study, which also has gained visibility in research on families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN), in particular, the influence of social support (formal and informal) in dimensions related to health and well-being of caregivers. Diener (2009) provides a definition of subjective well-being as an evaluative response of individuals with regard to his own life, in terms of satisfaction (cognitive element of the evaluation), in terms of affectivity (stable emotional element). In an inclusive approach and in line with national and international guidelines, we recognize the role of parents in defending the interests of the children and educational decision-makers participating in the educational process, so that the promotion of health and well-being are key areas in the context of educational and therapeutic intervention. This study aims to make a comparative analysis of parents of children with and without special educational needs, with regard to social support (size of social network and satisfaction with support) and parental well-being (life satisfaction). The study sample consists of 152 and 149 caregivers, respectively, parents of children with and without SEN. The statistical analysis reveals that the two groups of parents have significant differences in well-being and partly on social support (satisfaction with support). Regarding the subgroups of parents of children with SEN (cognitive, motor and Autism Spectrum Disorders) we observed statistical differences; parents of children with autism showed significantly higher values in social support (availability of support and satisfaction with support) and satisfaction with life.Keywords: inclusive education, life satisfaction, parental well-being, social supportResumo.Hodiernamente, as pesquisas sobre o bem-estar e qualidade de vida têm vindo a assumir uma centralidade nos discursos e nas práticas dos profissionais que intervêm na área das populações com fragilidade psicossocial. A literatura científica acentua a vastidão desta linha de estudo, a qual também tem ganho visibilidade no âmbito da investigação sobre as famílias de crianças e jovens com Necessidades Educativas Especiais (NEE), em particular, sobre a influência do suporte social (formal e informal) nas dimensões relacionadas com a saúde e o bem-estar dos cuidadores. Diener (2009) apresenta uma definição de bem-estar subjetivo como sendo uma resposta avaliativa das pessoas relativamente à sua própria vida, quer em termos de satisfação (elemento cognitivo da avaliação), quer em termos de afectividade (elemento emocional estável). No quadro de uma abordagem inclusiva e, em convergência com as orientações nacionais e internacionais, reconhecemos o papel dos pais na defesa dos interesses educativos dos filhos e decisores participantes no processo educativo, pelo que a promoção da sua saúde e bem-estar constituem áreas chave no contexto da intervenção educativa e terapêutica. O presente estudo tem como propósito fazer uma análise comparativa dos pais de crianças com e sem necessidades educativas especiais, no que concerne ao suporte social (dimensão da rede social e satisfação com o apoio) e ao bem-estar parental (satisfação com a vida). A amostra é constituída por 152 e 149 cuidadores, respetivamente, pais de crianças com e sem NEE. As análises estatísticas revelam que os dois grupos de pais apresentam diferenças significativas no bem-estar e, parcialmente, no suporte social (satisfação com o suporte). Relativamente aos subgrupos de pais de crianças com NEE (problemas cognitivos, motores e Perturbações do Espectro do Autismo) observamos diferenças estatísticas; os progenitores das crianças com autismo revelam valores significativamente mais elevados no suporte social (disponibilidade do suporte e satisfação com o suporte) e na satisfação com a vida.Palavras-chave: educação inclusiva, bem-estar parental, satisfação com a vida, suporte social, necessidades educativas especiais

scholarly journals Changes in mental well-being in Hong Kong before and during social unrest and COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Yin Stephanie Wong ◽  
Ling Tsz Theresa Siu ◽  
Lai Ming Christy Hui ◽  
Kit Wa Sherry Chan ◽  
Ho Ming Edwin Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Hierarchical Regression Analysis ◽  
Social Unrest ◽  
Mental Well Being

Abstract Purpose Understanding the impact of co-occurring population- and individual-level stressful events on mental well-being should inform future intervention design. This study examined the association of two population-level stressful events (social unrest and COVID-19) and personal stressors with life satisfaction in Hong Kong.Methods This study analyzed data on life satisfaction, experience of stressful life events (SLEs), rumination, and resilience, from two representative population telephone surveys conducted in 2018 (n = 1,514) and 2020 (n = 1,258). The association between life satisfaction and personal SLEs was further compared between the two samples using moderation analysis. Using data from the 2020 survey, the effect of different types of SLEs, rumination, and resilience on life satisfaction was investigated using hierarchical regression analysis.Results The study achieved a response rate of 56.2% and 68.9% for surveys 2018 and 2020, respectively. Life satisfaction of the population decreased significantly in 2020, accompanied by an overall increase in SLEs. Moderation analysis revealed that the relationship between personal SLEs and life satisfaction was significantly greater in 2018 than in 2020. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that an increase in all kinds of SLEs and higher levels of rumination were significantly associated with lower life satisfaction in 2020.Conclusion The significant reduction in life satisfaction reported in this study suggests that measures to support the mental health of populations that have experienced multiple simultaneous, large-scale stressors would be crucial. During distinctive phases as such, rumination may be a potential target for improving overall mental health.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Psycho-social Conditions of Students with and withound Special Educational Needs in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Germany

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Scheer ◽  
Désirée Laubenstein
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
School Psychologists ◽  
Behavioral Disorders ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Disorders ◽  
Social Situation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Educational Needs ◽  
Special Educational Needs ◽  
The Impact

Background: School lockdown in Germany in spring 2020. There is evidence that the pandemic might have negative impact on childrens'/adolescents' mental health and well-being. Currently there is no evidence about specific problems of children/adolescents with special educational needs in emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) during or after the school lockdown. Research question: How was the students' emotional and social development (ESD) affected during the school lockdown? Are there differences between students with and without E/BD? Which predictors moderate these effects? Methods: A sample of N = 224 students across Germany were rated by their teachers in an online survey. Standardised teacher-report forms for rating of behavioral problems and competences as well as for perceptions of inclusion were administered both for the current situation and for a retrospective evaluation. Students' socio-demographic data, information on students' psycho-social situation, and aspects of teachers' educational relationship and contact during lockdown were included as predictors. Hierarchical linear regression was applied for each dependent variable. Results: Marginal impact of the school lockdown on E/BD with small differences between groups. Strongest predicting variable was students' psycho-social situation. Small protective effects of educational relationship were found for some dependent variables. Conclusions: In average we found rather marginal effects on students' ESD than severe issues. However, psycho-social situation of students should be monitored by teachers and school psychologists to provide sufficient support during lockdown situation.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic inequality in mental well-being associated with COVID-19 containment measures in a low-incidence Asian globalized city

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Yat-Nork Chung ◽  
Gary Ka-Ki Chung ◽  
Siu-Ming Chan ◽  
Yat-Hang Chan ◽  
Hung Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
Personal Savings ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Health And Well Being

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic exposes and amplifies pre-existing inequalities even in places with relatively well-controlled outbreaks such as Hong Kong. This study aimed to explore whether the socioeconomically disadvantaged fare worse via various types of worry in terms of their mental health and well-being. Between September and October 2020, 1067 adults in Hong Kong were recruited via a cross-sectional population-wide telephone survey. The inter-relationship between deprivation, types of worry, mental health disorders, and subjective well-being was assessed using structural equation modelling. Results showed significant total effects of deprivation on worries about being infected (p = 0.002), economic activities and livelihood (p < 0.001), and personal savings (p < 0.001), as well as mental health disorders (p < 0.001) and subjective well-being (p < 0.001). Specifically, worry about economic activities and livelihood partly mediated the total effect of deprivation on mental health disorders (p = 0.004), whereas worry about personal savings and worry about economic activities and livelihood partially mediated the total effect of deprivation on subjective well-being (p = 0.007 and 0.002, respectively). Socioeconomic inequality, particularly in mental health and well-being, could be exacerbated via people’s economic concerns during the pandemic, which was largely induced by the COVID-19 containment measures rather than the pandemic per se given the relatively low COVID-19 incidence in Hong Kong.

scholarly journals Relationships between Physical and Social Behavioural Changes and the Mental Status of Homebound Residents in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6653
Author(s):  
Ben Y. F. Fong ◽  
Martin C. S. Wong ◽  
Vincent T. S. Law ◽  
Man Fung Lo ◽  
Tommy K. C. Ng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Physical Strain

In Hong Kong, social distancing has been adopted in order to minimise the spread of COVID-19. This study aims to examine the changes in physical health, mental health, and social well-being experienced by local residents who were homebound during the pandemic. An online questionnaire in both Chinese and English versions was completed by 590 eligible participants from 24 April to 13 May 2020. The questionnaire found that individuals aged 18 to 25 years spent more time resting and relaxing but experienced more physical strain. Working status was associated with social contact, with participants working full-time jobs scoring higher in “maintaining social communication via electronic means” and “avoiding social activities outside the home”. Additionally, approximately one third of the participants (29.7%) had moderate to severe depression, and participants aged 18 to 25 were found to have higher scores in PHQ-9. Changes in physical health and social contact were significantly associated with developing depressive symptoms. From the results, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to exert a negative impact on the mental health status of individuals.

scholarly journals Dual impacts of coronavirus anxiety on mental health in 35 societies

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Xiaohua Chen ◽  
Jacky C. K. Ng ◽  
Bryant P. H. Hui ◽  
Algae K. Y. Au ◽  
Wesley C. H. Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Psychological Adaptation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Emotional Symptoms ◽  
Perceived Vulnerability

AbstractThe spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected both physical health and mental well-being around the world. Stress-related reactions, if prolonged, may result in mental health problems. We examined the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in a multinational study and explored the effects of government responses to the outbreak. We sampled 18,171 community adults from 35 countries/societies, stratified by age, gender, and region of residence. Across the 35 societies, 26.6% of participants reported moderate to extremely severe depression symptoms, 28.2% moderate to extremely severe anxiety symptoms, and 18.3% moderate to extremely severe stress symptoms. Coronavirus anxiety comprises two factors, namely Perceived Vulnerability and Threat Response. After controlling for age, gender, and education level, perceived vulnerability predicted higher levels of negative emotional symptoms and psychological distress, whereas threat response predicted higher levels of self-rated health and subjective well-being. People in societies with more stringent control policies had more threat response and reported better subjective health. Coronavirus anxiety exerts detrimental effects on subjective health and well-being, but also has the adaptive function in mobilizing safety behaviors, providing support for an evolutionary perspective on psychological adaptation.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Subjective Well-being Following an Exergame Intervention “Bandit the Dolphin”: Focus Group Findings

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 169-170
Author(s):  
Brittany Drazich ◽  
Breanna Crane ◽  
Kyle Moored ◽  
Karl Shieh ◽  
Janiece Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Mental Illness Stigma ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Adult Participants

Abstract Due to generational mental illness stigma and under diagnosis of mental illness, older adults do not always receive the mental health help that they need. One unique technology that has the potential to improve mood in older adults is exergames, or exercise video games. The objective of this sub-study (main study: Stimulation With Intricate Movements “SWIM” Study) was to explore older adults’ mood following an exergame intervention called “Bandit the Dolphin,” created by the Johns Hopkins KATA Studio. Researchers conducted three focus groups with 14 community-dwelling older adult participants who took part in the SWIM Study exergame intervention. The semi-structured focus groups were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using deductive and inductive techniques described by Ray Maietta’s “sort and sift, think and shift” method. Three themes related to playing “Bandit the Dolphin” and mood emerged. First, participants described their perceived association between activity and mood. Participants felt that both active and passive activities, “Bandit the Dolphin” and otherwise, improved their mood through the “fun” factor, and through feelings of achievement. Second, the participants described that the competition and frustration of playing “Bandit the Dolphin” increased eventual feelings of achievement. Third, participants described how feelings of immersion, or being absorbed in the game, helped them forget their other life concerns. These findings provide a better understanding of older adults’ perceived relationship between an exergame intervention, “Bandit the Dolphin,” and short-term improved mood. Future health and engineering researchers should explore exergames as a potential tool to improve the mental health of older adults.

scholarly journals Participation in community gardening: Sowing the seeds of well-being

2021 ◽  
pp. 000841742199438
Author(s):  
Melinda J. Suto ◽  
Shelagh Smith ◽  
Natasha Damiano ◽  
Shurli Channe
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Community Gardens ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Supported Housing ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Community Gardening ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Background. Sustaining well-being challenges people with serious mental health issues. Community gardening is an occupation used to promote clients’ well-being, yet there is limited evidence to support this intervention. Purpose. This paper examines how facilitated community gardening programs changed the subjective well-being and social connectedness of people living with mental health issues. Method. A community-based participatory research approach and qualitative methods were used with 23 adults living in supported housing and participating in supported community gardening programs. A constructivist approach guided inductive data analysis. Findings. Participation in community gardening programs enhanced well-being through welcoming places, a sense of belonging, and developing positive feelings through doing. The connection to living things and responsibility for plants grounded participants in the present and offered a unique venue for learning about gardening and themselves. Implications. Practitioners and service-users should collaborate to develop leadership, programs, places, and processes within community gardens to enhance well-being.

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