The association between adolescents’ depressive symptoms, maternal negative affect, and family relationships in Hong Kong: Cross-sectional and longitudinal findings.

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 636-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharron S. K. Leung ◽  
Sunita M. Stewart ◽  
Joy P. S. Wong ◽  
Daniel S. Y. Ho ◽  
Daniel Y. T. Fong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Maternal Negative Affect

Resilience, pessimism, and depression in undergraduates in Hong Kong during Covid-19: A cross-sectional online survey study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Yi Sum ◽  
Sherry Kit Wa Chan ◽  
Gloria Hoi Yan Wong
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Family Conflict ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Adolescence and young adulthood is a period of heightened risk of mental disorders onset. The Covid-19 pandemic may have impacted the daily lives and learning of students, exposing them to risks of emotional distress. Understanding factors associated with individual differences in distress can inform remedial strategies for schools. OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of Covid-19 on undergraduate students’ lifestyle and learning, and explore relationship between depressive symptoms, resilience, and optimism/pessimism bias in undergraduate students in Hong Kong. METHODS Cross-sectional online survey of undergraduate students in a university (n=1020) before and during the third wave of Covid-19 outbreak in Hong Kong between May and August 2020. Changes in habits and family conflicts, depressive symptoms (measured using Patient Health Questionnaire-9), resilience (measured using Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale), optimism/pessimism towards Covid-19 risks, and knowledge about Covid-19 were recorded. Multivariable linear regression and mediation analyses were used to explore relationships with depressive symptoms. RESULTS 61.7% of respondents have mild to severe depressive symptoms. The regression model found that 18.5% of the variance in depressive symptoms was explained by resilience, pessimism bias, changes in sleep, decrease in study at home, and increase in family conflict. Mediation analysis showed that resilience is indirectly related to depressive symptoms through its relationship with pessimism (ab = -0.042, CI = -0.057 to -0.013). Higher resilience was associated with lower depressive symptoms even after accounting for resilience’s indirect effect through pessimism (c’ = 0.311, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the mental health vulnerability of undergraduate students. Measures to reduce family conflict, maintain healthy daily habits, adjust optimism/pessimism bias, and enhance resilience may be useful for improving the mental wellbeing of undergraduate students during the pandemic.

The buffering role of positive affect on the association between pain intensity and pain related outcomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan S.K. Thong ◽  
Gabriel Tan ◽  
Mark P. Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Pain Interference ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectivesChronic pain is a significant problem worldwide and is associated with significant elevations in negative affect, depressive symptoms, sleep problems, and physical dysfunction. Positive affect could potentially buffer the impact of pain on patient functioning. If it does, then positive affect could be directly targeted in treatment to benefit individuals with chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to test for such moderating effects.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study, we administered measures of pain intensity, depressive symptoms, sleep problems, pain interference, and positive and negative affect to 100 individuals with chronic back or knee pain in a single face-to-face assessment session.ResultsThe associations between pain intensity and negative affect, and between pain intensity and depressive symptoms were moderated by positive affect. This moderation effect was explained by the fact that participants with low positive affect evidenced strong associations between pain intensity and both depression and negative affect; participants with high positive affect, on the other hand, evidenced weak and non-significant associations between pain intensity and both depression and negative affect. Positive affect did not moderate the associations between pain intensity and either sleep problems or pain interference.ConclusionThe findings are consistent with the possibility that positive affect may buffer the impact of pain intensity on negative affect and depressive symptoms. Longitudinal and experimental research is needed to determine the potential benefits of treatments that increase positive affect on negative affect and depressive symptoms in chronic pain populations.ImplicationsThe study findings suggest the possibility that “positive psychology” interventions which increase positive affect could benefit individuals with chronic pain by reducing the impact of pain on negative outcomes. Research to test this possibility is warranted.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Emotional Eating and Its Associated Psychosocial Factors Among Urban Chinese Undergraduates In Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine YP Sze ◽  
Eric KP Lee ◽  
Rufina HW Chan ◽  
Jean H. Kim
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
University Students ◽  
Emotional Eating ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Mild Stress ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Emotional eating (EE), defined as eating to cope with negative emotions, has been previously associated with poor diet and obesity. Since there are limited data from non-Western populations, this study aims to examine the prevalence and associated factors of EE among urban Chinese adolescents. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 424 university students (aged 18-24 years) from two large universities in Hong Kong in 2019. Respondents were randomly invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire that obtained background information, emotional eating subscale of Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ), and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Two-sample independent t-test and multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the association of study variables with emotional eating.Results There was nearly a four-fold higher likelihood of EE among females (14.8%) compared with their male counterparts (4.5%) (OR=3.7). Having at least mild depressive symptoms was the only independent factor associated with EE among males (OR=10.1) while for females, EE was independently associated with not having a romantic partner (OR=3.45), having depressive symptoms (OR=44.5) and having at least mild stress (OR=5.65). Anxiety levels were not independently associated with EE for either gender. Higher EE scores were associated with worse perceived health and worse life satisfaction in both genders and associated with higher BMI among females. ConclusionsThis study revealed that EE is prevalent in female Chinese university students and not uncommon in male students. To address disordered eating, regional health promotion programmes may strategically target those at high-risk for depression.

scholarly journals Prevalence of depression and suicide ideation in Hong Kong doctors: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Pui Pui Ng ◽  
Weng Yee Chin ◽  
Eric Yuk Fai Wan ◽  
Julie Chen ◽  
Chak Sing Lau
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Poor Individual

AbstractDepression amongst physicians can lead to poor individual and institutional outcomes. This study examined the prevalence and factors associated with depression and suicidal ideation amongst doctors in Hong Kong. Doctors who graduated from medical school at the University of Hong Kong between 1995 and 2014 were invited to participate in a survey measuring depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm, lifestyle behaviours, career satisfaction and socio-demographic characteristics. Data collection occurred between January and April 2016. The prevalence of screened-positive depression was 16.0% and 15.3% of respondents reported having suicidal ideation. Amongst those with positive depression screening scores, less than half reported having a diagnosed mood disorder. Sleeping fewer hours was associated with higher depression scores (P < 0.001) and an increased odds of meeting the cut-off for depression (P < 0.001). Factors associated with suicidal ideation included being unmarried (P = 0.012) and sleeping fewer hours (P = 0.022). Hong Kong doctors appear to have high rates of undiagnosed depression, and high levels of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideations. There is a need for greater awareness of the morbidity due to depression and to promote better mental health help-seeking among physicians. Barriers to mental health help-seeking need to be addressed and appropriate resources allocated to reduce suffering.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional associations of objectively assessed neighbourhood attributes with depressive symptoms in older adults of an ultra-dense urban environment: the Hong Kong ALECS study

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e020480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casper J P Zhang ◽  
Anthony Barnett ◽  
Cindy H P Sit ◽  
Poh-chin Lai ◽  
Janice M Johnston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Public Transport ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Hong Kong Chinese ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Environmental Attributes

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the associations between objectively assessed neighbourhood environmental attributes and depressive symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese older adults and the moderating effects of neighbourhood environmental attributes on the associations between living arrangements and depressive symptoms.DesignCross-sectional observational study.SettingHong Kong.Participants909 Hong Kong Chinese community dwellers aged 65+ years residing in preselected areas stratified by walkability and socioeconomic status.Exposure and outcome measuresAttributes of participants’ neighbourhood environment were objectively assessed using geographic information systems and environmental audits. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale.ResultsOverall, pedestrian infrastructure (OR=1.025; P=0.008), connectivity (OR=1.039; P=0.002) and prevalence of public transport stops (OR=1.056; P=0.012) were positively associated with the odds of reporting depressive symptoms. Older adults living alone were at higher risk of reporting any depressive symptoms than those living with others (OR=1.497; P=0.039). This association was moderated by neighbourhood crowdedness, perceptible pollution, access to destinations and presence of people. Residing in neighbourhoods with lower levels of these attributes was associated with increased deleterious effects of living alone. Living in neighbourhoods with lower public transport density also increased the deleterious effects of living alone on the number of depressive symptoms. Those living alone and residing in neighbourhoods with higher levels of connectivity tended to report more depressive symptoms than their counterparts.ConclusionsThe level of access to destinations and social networks across Hong Kong may be sufficiently high to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms in older adults. Yet, exposure to extreme levels of public transport density and associated traffic volumes may increase the risk of depressive symptoms. The provision of good access to a variety of destinations, public transport and public open spaces for socialising in the neighbourhood may help reduce the risk of depressive symptoms in older adults who live alone.

scholarly journals Prevalence of negative emotional eating and its associated psychosocial factors among urban Chinese undergraduates in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Y. P. Sze ◽  
Eric K. P. Lee ◽  
Rufina H. W. Chan ◽  
Jean H. Kim
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
University Students ◽  
Emotional Eating ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mild Stress ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Chinese University ◽  
Chinese University Students

Abstract Background Emotional eating (EE), defined as eating in response to a range of emotions, has been previously associated with poor diet and obesity. Since there are limited data from non-Western populations, this study aims to examine the prevalence and factors associated with EE among urban Chinese university students. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 424 university students (aged 18–24 years) from two large universities in Hong Kong in 2019. Respondents completed an anonymous online questionnaire that contained background questions, an emotional eating subscale of the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ), and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Two-sample independent t-test and multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the association of study variables with negative emotional eating. Results There was over a three-fold higher likelihood of negative EE among females (14.8%) when compared with their male counterparts (4.5%) (OR = 3.7, p < 0.05). Having at least mild depressive symptoms was the only independent factor associated with negative EE among males (OR = 10.1) while for females, negative EE was independently associated with not having a romantic partner (OR = 3.45), having depressive symptoms (OR = 44.5), and having at least mild stress (OR = 5.65). Anxiety levels were not independently associated with negative EE for either gender. Both male and female students with negative EE had significantly lower self-perceived health scores, higher body mass index, and lower life satisfaction scores. Conclusions This study revealed that negative EE is prevalent among female Chinese university students and not uncommon among male students. Management of negative EE should be included as a component of university mental health promotion programmes in the region.

scholarly journals Associations of Electronic Device Use Before and After Sleep With Psychological Distress Among Chinese Adults in Hong Kong: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Jae Lee ◽  
Man Ping Wang ◽  
Tzu Tsun Luk ◽  
Ningyuan Guo ◽  
Sophia Siu-Chee Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Electronic Device ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Device Use

BACKGROUND Hong Kong has a high rate of electronic device (e-device; computer, smartphone, and tablet) use. However, little is known about the associations of the duration of e-device use before and after sleep with psychological symptoms. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the associations of the duration of e-device use before and after sleep with psychological distress. METHODS A probability-based telephone survey was conducted on 3162 Hong Kong adults (54.6% female; mean age 47.4 years, SD 18.3 years) in 2016. Multivariate linear and Poisson regressions were used to calculate adjusted regression coefficients (aBs) and prevalence ratios (aPRs) of anxiety and depressive symptoms (measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-4) for the duration from waking to the first e-device use (≥61, 31-60, 6-30, and ≤5 minutes) and the duration of e-device use before sleeping (≤5, 6-30, 31-60, and ≥61 minutes). RESULTS The first e-device use in ≤5 (vs ≥61) minutes after waking was associated with anxiety (aB 0.35, 95% CI 0.24-0.46; aPR 1.74, 95% CI 1.34-2.25) and depressive symptoms (aB 0.27, 95% CI 0.18-0.37; aPR 1.84, 95% CI 1.33-2.54). Using e-devices for ≥61 (vs ≤5) minutes before sleeping was also associated with anxiety (aB 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.31; aPR 1.32, 95% CI 1.01-1.73) and depressive symptoms (aB 0.17, 95% CI 0.05-0.28; aPR 1.47, 95% CI 1.07-2.02). E-device use both ≤5 minutes after waking and for ≥61 minutes before sleeping was strongly associated with anxiety (aB 0.68, 95% CI 0.47-0.90; aPR 2.64, 95% CI 1.90-3.67) and depressive symptoms (aB 0.55, 95% CI 0.36-0.74; aPR 2.56, 95% CI 1.69-3.88). CONCLUSIONS E-device use immediately (≤5 minutes) after waking and use for a long duration (≥61 minutes) before sleeping were associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms among Chinese adults in Hong Kong.

scholarly journals Perceived Benefits and Harms of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Well-Being and Their Sociodemographic Disparities in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonny Yee-Man Wong ◽  
Tai-Hing Lam ◽  
Agnes Yuen-Kwan Lai ◽  
Man Ping Wang ◽  
Sai-Yin Ho
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Family Mental Health

We assessed the perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19 on family and their associations with sociodemographic factors in Chinese adults in Hong Kong. We conducted an online population-based survey and collected 4891 responses in 6 days. Prevalence estimates were weighted by sex, age, and education of the general population, and associations were analyzed using logistic regression. Our results showed both perceived benefits: 19.0% for family physical health, 7.2% family mental health, and 13.5% family relationships; and harms: 2.3% for family physical health, 37.9% family mental health, 18.6% family relationships, and 37.8% decreased family income. More female or older respondents reported perceived benefits but fewer of them reported perceived harms. More respondents with higher than lower socioeconomic scores (SES) reported perceived benefits on family physical and mental health and family relationships, but more respondents with lower than higher SES reported perceived harm on family income. As the pandemic continues with uncertainties, further studies on the dynamics of benefits and harms are needed. Urgent and additional assistance to underprivileged families and at-risk individuals are needed to reduce the inequities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

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