A study of the impacts on the migrant workers in the Pearl River Delta, China, under the financial tsunami

The recent financial tsunami has caused thousands of factories in China to collapse, and tens of millions of migrant workers to lose their jobs. It is estimated that at least 10% of the rural migrant workers are unemployed since the Chinese New Year holidays this year. Many still stay in urban areas aiming for job opportunities, though the chances are slim. The impacts on their livelihoods and employment conditions gradually become serious social issues in China today. The authors had conducted a field trip to Pearl River Delta Area of Guangdong Province in March 2009 to study about these impacts. Through our visits to the social service agencies, the rural migrant workers, and academics researching on this topic, we understand more deeply about the impacts of the financial tsunami on migrant workers, and the responses of social service agencies providing services to them. In this paper, we will make use of the primary data we obtained from the field trip and also second data to study three main themes of the topic: 1) the impacts of the deteriorating economy on injury compensations for the migrant workers; 2) the issue of underpayment and violation of labor contract law; and 3) changes in the education opportunities for the workers' children in the host cities.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Receptivity and readiness for cultural competence training amongst the social workers in Hong Kong

202212 bckwVersion of RecordPublishe

Predictors of intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 in the general public in Hong Kong : findings from a population-based, cross-sectional survey

202110 bcvcVersion of RecordPublishe

Family caregivers' and patients' experiences with first-ever stroke survivors in Hong Kong: what contributed to positive recovery?

This Free journal suppl. entitled: 2015 GSA Annual Scientific Meeting AbstractsConference Theme: Aging as a Lifelong ProcessSession 405 (Symposium)OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore family experiences contributing to positive recovery from stroke among family caregivers and first-ever stroke survivors discharged from hospital within 1 year. METHODS: Data were collected using semi-structured qualitative interviews with 30 dyads of first-ever stroke survivors and their family caregivers. Transcriptions were conducted and analyzed using thematic analyses by two researchers independently. FINDINGS: Family caregivers and first-ever stroke survivors reflected on three main themes relating to positive recovery: (1) positive illness perception; (2) embracing lifestyle modification; and (3) enhanced dyadic supportive relationship between caregiver and care receiver. Implications: The present study described the survivors’ and caregivers’ lived experience related to adaptive coping after stroke. The results would guide the clinical and psychosocial interventions for improving recovery outcome of first stroke survivors.link_to_OA_fulltex

Perspectives of community processes in establishing community-based mental health services in Hong Kong : a case study

202212 bckwVersion of RecordPublishe

Predicting public adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures : a cross-sectional study in Hong Kong

202204 bchyVersion of RecordOthersFood and Health Bureau; Health adn Medical Research FundPublishe

To Help and to Learn: An Exploratory Study of Peer Tutors Teaching Older Adults about Technology

The cost of caring for an aging population is a growing concern in many societies. Although information and communication technologies (ICTs) like computers and the Internet are seen as new tools which offer some potential to help, unfortunately older adults are generally the age group with the lowest level of skill and utilization of these technologies. Although nongovernmental organizations have attempted to address this digital gap, limited staff resources are a concern. One approach for generating additional staff to provide more technology training to older adults is a "peer-tutor" model. This study examined the perspectives of 101 technology peer tutors for older adults in a nonprofit program in Hong Kong. Topics included preparation and training, perceived benefits and challenges, side effects on their lives, the perceived value of their work as tutors, and suggestions for personal and program improvement. The influence of demographic factors was examined. Results show which tutors felt prepared for their roles, perceived considerably more benefits than challenges, saw value in their tutor work, and overwhelming plan to continue as volunteer tutors in this program. There were few differences linked with demographic variables. Implications for practice and for future research are considered. © 2010 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Challenges in comparative study: The case of a comparison study of urban renewal policies in six Asian cities

The Annual Conference of the Social Policy Association (SPA

Challenges in comparative study: the case of a comparison study of urban renewal policies in six Asian cities

Conference Theme: Policy futures: learning from the pas

Tackling the digital divide

The emergence of an information society has created new social exclusions and aggravated old ones by creating digital exclusion. Many countries have explicit policies about turning themselves into the leaders of such transformations or about catching up with the changes made in other countries. Nevertheless, little is known about their efforts to bridge the gap between the digital 'haves' and the digital 'have-nots'. Governments in East Asia are good examples of those who work on improving their society's digital capabilities. They top most of the related international comparison tables. It is, however, not clear what they have done to bridge the new digital exclusion gap or what the effects of such efforts have been. This paper reviews the digital inclusion strategies put in place by several East Asian countries and discusses a framework for tackling the digital divide, and examines pertinent policies, using Hong Kong as an example. This paper argues that while improvement in information communication technology (ICT) accessibility and knowledge is important, the promotion of community-based ICT user networks for certain disadvantaged groups is crucial to enhance their participation in the information society.link_to_subscribed_fulltex