Health psychology; Stress adaptation; Psychosomatic medicine

Dr. CHEN Bowen obtained her Bachelor of Medicine from Sun Yat-sen University and PhD in health psychology from City University of Hong Kong.

With multidisplinary background, she has been dedicated to investigating biopsychosocial explanations for physical and mental health across diverse populations (e.g., general population, young adults, individuals under quarantine, immigrant families, preterm infants and their mothers). Her research focuses on quantitative methodology, particularly longitudinal cohort studies and daily diary studies. She has applied advanced analytical methods, including multilevel modeling, structural equation modeling, and machine learning techniques.

Achievement Emotions
Socioemotional Development
Positive Psychology
Educational Psychology
Second Language Acquisition

Adolescent well-being
Academic burnout

My research interests lie in the field of educational psychology, specifically the role of parents in affecting students' motivation, emotion and overall well-being. My research has been concentrated on identifying parental factors that contributing to academic burnout among Chinese middle-schoolers, as well as some possible interventions on alleviating high levels of academic burnout and stress.

• Behavioral Medicine
• Health Psychology
• HIV and STD prevention
• Sexual health
• Relationship dynamics

Dr. Rong Fu focuses on the studies of resilience processes in health-threatened populations, particularly in couple in the context of chronic illnesses. Prior to joining the PhD program at City University of Hong Kong, she had an extensive experience in community engagement and practice in HIV prevention.

Health psychology

Dr. Hou focuses on dyadic illness management in couples where one partner is living with a chronic illness. His research encompasses key areas such as dyadic illness management and dyadic resilience. To explore these topics, Dr. Hou utilizes a variety of research designs, including meta-analysis, cross-sectional studies, intensive longitudinal designs, mixed-methods designs, and randomized controlled trials.

Additionally, Dr. Hou is interested in applying advanced statistical models at the dyadic level, such as the meta-analytical actor-partner interdependence model and dynamic multi-level structural equation modeling.

Mental Health, Emotion Regulation, Resilience-Based Intervention

Her research focuses on the positive psychological adaptation of newly arrived mother–child dyads from the Chinese mainland to Hong Kong, examining the intergenerational interaction of resilience between newly arrived mothers and their children. She specializes in designing various psychological interventions based on different theoretical models, such as resilience-based and emotion regulation-based interventions. Her research evaluates the effectiveness of psychological interventions, investigates intervention mechanisms, and identify the target populations for which the interventions are effective.

Pubilc health psychology

My research is focusing on the potential risks and resilience resources among children and their mothers both living with HIV

Professional help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among young migrants

Dr. Li is a certified hypnotherapist and narrative practitioner. He purses mental health research after graduating from the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a Master degree of Social Work. His current research interests include stigma, mental health service utilization and help-seeking behaviours, recovery from serious mental Illness and social work intervention.

Conceptualization of flourishing and languishing in college students using a longitudinal approach

Dr. SUN Chaoran interested in the psychosocial mechanism of psychopathology and flourishing. Her current research explores the individual and ecological mechanism of flourishing and languishing and the influence of the Microsystem, Exosystem, and Macrosystem. She is also interested in leveraging computational strategies to conceptualize and predict long-term mental disorder onset and flourishing. Before joining CityU, Chaoran was a social-emotional counselor working with adolescents. She finished her counseling master's degree at UPenn and her psychology bachelor’s degree at Nankai University. Aside from research, Chaoran enjoys attending conferences, traveling, networking, and exploring new things.

Values, self, social relationships, socioecological psychology, residential mobility, inequality

I am a Ph.D. student in social and cultural psychology under the supervision of Dr. Sam Ye since 2022 after I earned my B.Sc. in psychology from Fudan University, China.

I am interested in how macro-level social structural factors (e.g., residential mobility, social hierarchy) impact human psychology, e.g., values, self, and social relationships/networks. My research endeavours to enlighten the mysterious power of social context and help construct a good life and a good society.

I used multilevel analysis, daily dairy, social psychology experiment, and computational social science methods.

The interplay between personal values and everyday affect

My research focus on the interplay between personal values and everyday affect. Specifically, I am interested in understanding the emotions elicited due to the pursuit of different personal values. I am also interested in the change of personal values at both the individual level and aggregated level considering affective experiences.

Workplace Bullying in Hong Kong — An Exploratory Study on the Cultural and Organizational Influences on its prevalence: Implications towards a Confucius Asian context

Elaine is a research student currently under the supervision of Professor Dennis Wong, at the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong. She obtained her Bachelor of Science (Psychology)/Bachelor of Arts (English) double degree from the University of New South Wales, Australia; and her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in English from the University of Hong Kong; and Master of Social Sciences in Counselling from the City University of Hong Kong. Her research interests are bullying and workplace violence, as well as mental wellbeing. Her current research is an exploratory study on the cultural and organizational influences on the emergence and continuation of workplace bullying in Hong Kong.

Neighbourhood services, social capital and mental well-being among Chinese empty-nest older adults

Shuting is currently a PhD Candidate in the Department of Social and Behavioural Science at the City University of Hong Kong. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Xi'an Jiaotong University in 2020 and subsequently pursued her Master's degree in Public Administration with a specialization in mental health promotion at the Renmin University of China, completing her studies in 2022.

During her academic journey, Shuting broadened her perspectives as an exchange student at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. She actively engaged in various social surveys and gained practical experience with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Shuting's doctoral thesis focuses on neighbourhood services, social capital, and mental well-being among Chinese empty-nest older adults. Beyond her specific focus, Shuting is passionate about public mental health promotion for vulnerable populations and advocates for evidence-based interventions within communities.

If you have any inquiries or wish to connect with Shuting, she can be reached at shutindai2-c@my.cityu.edu.hk. Feel free to reach out for further collaboration and discussions.

Objectification and dehumanization, especially sexual objectification; power and social hierarchy

I am Yijia, a PhD student majoring in social psychology. Before joining CityU, I obtained both my bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University.
After exploring a variety of areas in social psychology for several years, I am now interested in two major topics: 1) objectification and dehumanization, especially women’s sexual self-objectification and its antecedents; 2) power and social hierarchy, especially the influence of these structural factors in society on individuals’ self-perceptions, decisions, and even behaviors.
Due to my personal experiences in a patriarchal society, I am extremely interested in women, striving to gain a deeper understanding of this group. I hope that my research can be of some assistance to this vulnerable group in a society that is highly hierarchical and full of glass ceilings for them.

Positive education
Social and emotional learning (SEL)
Emotional skills, including emotion regulation and emotional stability
Mental health and wellbeing

I pursued my Bachelor's and first Master's degrees in electronic engineering before realizing the significance of cultivating social and emotional skills. This realization led me to transition into the field of student wellbeing, where I obtained another master's degree in education. Currently, I am a PhD student under the supervision of Prof. KWOK LAI Yuk Ching Sylvia in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. My primary research interests revolve around positive education programs (PEPs) and emotional skills, exploring their impact on students' mental health and overall wellbeing. My ultimate aspiration is to offer valuable insights into designing and implementing social and emotional learning (SEL) curricula tailored to the needs of Chinese students, fostering their positive growth. If you share an interest in these fields, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at xinyidu9-c@my.cityu.edu.hk.

Sociology of gender and sexuality

Cognitive Ageing
Social Frailty
Socioecological Model of Ageing
Advanced Quantitative Methods

Poverty and Inequality
Social Capital
Mental Wellbeing
Human Capital

Emotion-Focused Intervention
Reducing Aggression Among Preschool Children
Emotional Competence
Parental Emotion Socialisation

As a counselling psychologist actively involved in both clinical practice and research, my research focus lies in exploring emotion-focused interventions to reduce aggression among preschool children. Through my research, I aim to develop strategies prioritising emotional competence and social-emotional learning, tailoring interventions to meet the specific needs of young children. Along with this, I am deeply interested in parental emotion socialisation, seeking ways to empower parents with the knowledge and skills to foster emotional competence in their children. Ultimately, I am driven to contribute to the advancement of my field and enhance the well-being of young children and their families through evidence-based practices and innovative approaches.

Human decision-making and learning

I received my bachelor's degree in Psychology from the Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences at Zhejiang University, China and my master's degree in Cognitive Neuroscience (specialization in neural computation and neurotechnology) from Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour at Radboud University, the Netherlands. My research interest lies in the intersection of computational neuroscience and cognitive neuroscience. I am especially interested in how humans learn and make decisions in uncertain, complex environments, which can be formalized in the theoretical framework of reinforcement learning. Currently, I use behavioural paradigms, computational cognitive modelling and neuroimaging techniques (e.g., fMRI/EEG) to understand the neurocomputational mechanisms underlying human decision-making and learning.

A Recursive Process Model: Trusting Relationship on Drug Sales and Purchases from Online and Offline Perspectives

Kan Wan Sang is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree at the City University of Hong Kong. His research interests include Trust, Digital/Online Sociology, and Criminology, with a focus on topics such as online social capital, drug trafficking, and peer-to-peer (P2P) fraud. He possesses a strong proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Additionally, he has actively engaged in various academic activities, including attending academic conferences and authoring scholarly papers.

Language processing and production

Prior to joining the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong, I completed a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Psychology at the University of Klagenfurt (Austria) and the KU Leuven (Belgium) respectively.

During my Bachelor's studies, I developed a keen interest in quantitative methods and cognitive psychology. I expanded my academic experience by working as a tutor for Statistics and later joined the Department of Cognitive Psychology as a research assistant. Through my studies and research internships during my Master's program, I further enhanced my knowledge in these topics.

My current research interests include the processing, planning and production of language. I am interested in applying both behavioural and neuroscientific methods to study the underlying mechanisms.

Human-Machine Interaction

Hello! My name is Larry KOU Yilin (Chinese: 寇翼麟). I am a Ph.D. student at CityU under the supervision of Prof. Nancy YU Xiaonan in Psychology and Prof. Wang Jianping in Computer Science. My research is centered on human–machine interactions, with a particular emphasis on autonomous vehicles. At present, I am exploring strategies to enhance cooperative interactions between human–driven vehicles and autonomous vehicles, employing a combination of survey, behavioral experiment, and simulation. Prior to my time at CityU, I was a MPhil student at Beijing Normal University, concentrating on human motivation and terror management theory.

Organizational behavior
Organizational citizenship
Organizational management

I got a master's degree in economics from CityU and later had two RA experiences. Now studying for a PhD at CityU, my main research interests revolve around organizational studies and family economics.

Study on social-psychological factors related to pro-tree conservation intention and behaviours

Mr So is a part-time student studying social-psychological factors related to pro-tree conservation intention and behaviours. Mr So is the chief executive of the Conservancy Association, an environmental NGO advocating tree conservation in Hong Kong since 1968. He has worked in arboriculture and landscape management for over 24 years. He has worked proactively on developing arboriculture training for the government and academic institutes since 2005. He is an adjunct associate professor at the School of Biological Science of HKU and the founder of the Advanced Diploma on Tree Management and Conservation of HKU SPACE. He received the Outstanding Teacher Award from the HKU SPACE in 2021. Mr So is the expert under HKCAAVQ and has been appointed member of different tree management and industry development advisory bodies under the Development Bureau, Education Bureau, and the academic sector.

Adolescent Mental Health
Family and Children
Positive Psychology and Intervention
Mindfulness

I graduated from the University of California, Davis (UCD), armed with a double major in Psychology and International Relations. This was complemented by an enriching special education internship in the United States, where I dedicated my efforts to making a difference in the lives of others.
The quest for deeper knowledge led me to the Nanyang Technological University(NTU) in Singapore for my graduate studies, where I specialized in Developmental Psychology. This experience not only broadened my academic horizons but also enriched my understanding of the human psyche.
Post-graduation, my path took me to Beijing, where I embraced the role of a psychology teacher at an international school. There, I applied my skills and insights to guide and support young minds through their developmental journeys.
Currently, I am pursuing my doctoral degree , driven by a passion to pioneer in mental health research. My goal is to harness a more specialized scientific perspective, aiming to contribute significantly to the well-being and positive development of young people in China.

Ms. Tang Changyuan is a PhD candidate in health psychology at City University of Hong Kong under the supervision of Prof. YU Xiaonan Nancy. Her research area focuses on the adaptive processes of families with children diagnosed with cancer, with a particular emphasis on parents' dyadic coping, family resilience, and well-being.

Immigrant mental health, depression, parent-child relationships

I was an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology at CityU. Now, I continue to embark on my research journey in health psychology at CityU under Prof. Nancy Yu’s supervision.

Currently, I am working on a community-based project to facilitate family harmony among New Arrivals in Hong Kong. I hope our research can benefit the participants and contribute to the field. I can’t wait to explore different possibilities on this journey!

Health psychology; self-management of chronic illness; dyadic coping

I am a PhD candidate under the supervision of Prof. YU Xiaonan Nancy. My research interests include illness self-management, coping, cognitive functions, and psychological well-being in children and adolescents living with chronic illnesses. Taking a dyadic perspective, my research examines the interactions between pediatric patients and their caregivers through the illness-coping process.  Additionally, I am interested in developing and evaluating intervention programs that aim to improve self-management behaviors, health outcomes, and overall quality of life for this population. Currently, my research focuses on family illness management and HAART adherence among HIV-positive children and adolescents.

I am interested in the application of Artificial Intelligence in depression

I graduated from National University of Singapore with a master degree in Statistics. After that I worked as an IT engineer in Singapore for two years. Currently my primary research interest is the application of Artificial Intelligence in depression. I feel honored and grateful as a research student of Department of Social and Behavior Sciences behavior at City University of Hong Kong.

Child and adolescent well-being
Positive education
Parenting and family

Ms. Xie is a PhD candidate supervised by Professor Sylvia Kwok. Her research focuses on parenting practices and influences on children’s emotional and social well-being. She is also interested in societal and familial factors contributing to parenting practices. Besides, she has engaged in the projects and is doing research on positive education and students’ learning motivation. Before pursuing her PhD, she obtained her Master of Psychology at The University of Hong Kong and had been working for youth in NGOs and universities in Hong Kong.

Suicide, Resilience, & Social media platform

Research Focus:
•    Incorporate the concept of resilience into suicide research by examining effective resilience factors against suicide-related outcomes.
•    Investigate prevalence and pattern of suicide risk in online social media platform (e.g., r/SuicideWatch subreddit), specifically focusing on its time-varying nature and linguistic features from posts.
•    Utilizes meta-analysis, growth-based trajectory modelling, and time-varying effect modelling to address related research questions.

Education:
•    2017-2019 Central China Normal University, Geography, BS
•    2019-2022 Central China Normal University, Psychology, BS
•    2022-Present City University of Hong Kong, Psychology, Ph.D. candidate

Current doctoral student in City University of Hong Kong
Master of Science in Education, University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Washington

Objectification, Social cognition, Career development

ZHANG Jingyu is currently a PhD student in social psychology supervised by Prof. WANG Xijing. She received her BS in Psychology from Nanjing University, China. Her research is focused on three main directions: 1) identifying experienced objectification from social structure and education system, 2) examining the downstream effects of self-objectification on goal pursuit and personal growth, and 3) unpacking different dimensions of sexual objectification perpetration. Quantitative methods such as surveys, laboratory and online experiments are predominantly used in her research.

Mental health nursing

Depressive symptoms and problem-solving skills among parents of children with cancer

Adaptation in families of children with cancer

Mr. ZHOU Tianji is a joint PhD candidate in nursing under the supervision of Prof. ZHANG Jingping (Central South University) and in psychology under the supervision of Prof. YU Xiaonan Nancy (City University of Hong Kong). His research interests have focused on developing and implementing interventions to alleviate depressive symptoms in Chinese parents of children with cancer.

Prior to joining the Joint PhD program at City University of Hong Kong, he had extensive experience in mental health nursing as well as interdisciplinary knowledge of medicine and statistics.

ZHOU Weiye is now a PhD student in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at City University of Hong Kong, under the supervision of Prof. FUNG Lai Chu Annis. He obtained his double Bachelor’s degrees in Information Management & Information Systems and Psychology from Peking University in 2022, and his MSc in Psychology of Education from University College London (UCL) in 2023. Before joining CityU, He also completed a two-year full-time volunteering work as a primary school teacher in a rural Chinese area within the Teach for China Program, gaining valuable experience in adolescent education in underprivileged regions. His research interests mainly focus on adolescents’ social development and peer relationships, with an emphasis on developing and evaluating potential interventions to reduce the risks of adolescents' aggression and peer bullying victimisation.

For further inquiries, he can be reached at weiyezhou4-c@my.cityu.edu.hk.