Psychology
Mental Health and Resilience (Health and Development)

Clinical and health psychologists in our department have been conducting cutting-edge research projects on adjustment to life-threatening illnesses (e.g., cancer, coronary heart disease, HIV), traumas (e.g., SARS and COVID-19 pandemics, natural disasters), losses (e.g., grief), acculturation (e.g., migration), and challenges (e.g., aging, correctional services). Focusing on mental health and resilience, we have generated new knowledge in this field by designing and validating assessment tools, examining promotive and protective factors, investigating psychosocial and physiological mechanisms, and studying the resilience and transformation processes. Moreover, we have developed intervention and therapeutic programs to promote adaptive psychological functioning and enhance resilience among various populations. The ultimate goal of their research is to arrive at a better understanding of the complexity of how risk and resilience factors are translated into mental health outcomes. These research findings have contributed to healthcare and social service development for better life and wellbeing. 

Signature projects:

  • Biomarking Psychological Resilience with Salivary Cortisol in Chinese Undergraduates using Piecewise Linear Growth Curve Models, General Research Fund, Research Grants Council, HK$305,705, 2021-23, Lai, C. L. J., Chen, H.-F., Ko, C. H., Lam, Y. W., & Tai, J.
  • Social Network Cultivation, Diurnal Cortisol, and Telomere Length: Testing the Rejuvenation Hypothesis, General Research Fund, Research Grants Council,  HK$385,000, 2020-22, Lai, C. L. J., Chow, O. W. E., Huang, Y., & Lam, Y. W.
  • Resilience congruence in immigrant mother-child dyads: Examining intergenerational dynamics using the actor-partner interdependence model, General Research Fund, Research Grants Council, HK$560,100, 2017-2020, Yu, N. X., & Kouros, C. D.
  • A psychological intervention to enhance resilience in Mainland new immigrants to Hong Kong, Health Care and Promotion Fund, Food and Health Bureau, HK$500,000, 2016-2018, Yu, N. X., Cham, K. K. W., Stewart, S. M., & Lam, T. H.
  • A longitudinal analysis of resilience and depressive symptoms among people living with HIV in rural China, Early Career Scheme, Research Grants Council, HK$531,384, 2014-2017, Yu, N. X., Stewart, S. M., Zhang, J. X., & Chau, Y. K.
  • Building resilience through positive psychology, Hospital Authority, HK$2,290,646, 2011-2013, Ho, S. M. Y., & Kwok, R.
  • FAMILY: Boosting Positive Energy Programme－A randomized controlled trial to promote resilience in Chinese new immigrants to Hong Kong, FAMILY Project, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, HK$2,900,000, 2011-2013, Yu, N. X., & Yau, S. H. B.

Selected publications:  

  • Hu, J., Liu, I. K. F., Stewart, S. M., Lam, T. H. & Yu, N. X.*. (in press). The more the better, only in the longer term: A cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate a compound intervention among mainland Chinese immigrants in Hong Kong. Behavior Therapy. 
  • Ho, S. M. Y., Shih, S. M., Taku, K., Redeschi, R. G. (2022). The Chinese version of Posttraumatic Growth and Depreciation Inventory—Expanded version (PTGDI-X) for cancer survivors. Supportive Care in Cancer, 30(1), 237-249.
  • Cheng, C. T., Ho, S. M., Lai, Y., Zhang, Q., & Wang, G. L. (2021). Coping profiles predict long-term anxiety trajectory in breast cancer survivors. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29(7), 4045-4053.
  • Ho, S. M. Y., Zhang, Q., Lai, Yi, & Dai, D. W. T. (2021). Cognitive vulnerabilities to anxiety symptoms among Chinese adolescents: A 3-year longitudinal study. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77(7), 1700-1714. 
  • Lai, J. C. L. and Rochelle, T. L. (2021).  Editorial: Resilience and Health in the Chinese People During the COVID-19 Outbreak. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 742960.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.742960
  • Qu, D., Huang, J., Kouros, C. D. & Yu, N. X.*. (2021). Dyadic effects of fluid mindset on psychological growth in immigrant mothers and their children: Indirect effect of resilience. Family Process, 60(4), 1507 - 1522. 
  • Lai, J. C. L., Leung, M. O. Y., Lee, D. Y. H., Lam, Y. W., and Berning, K. (2020). Biomarking trait resilience with salivary cortisol in Chinese undergraduates. Frontiers in Psychology, 536510. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.536510
  • Yu, N. X., Liu, I. K. F. & Bu, H.*. (2020). Enhancing resilience in cross-boundary families: A parent-child parallel group intervention. Journal of Social Work, 21/4, 651 - 675. 
  • Lai, J. C. L., Lee, D. Y. H., Leung, M. O. Y., and Lam, Y. W. (2019). Daily hassles, loneliness, and diurnal salivary cortisol in emerging adults. Hormones & Behavior, 115, 104558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.07.006