Sylvia Y C Lai Kwok
Biographic Data
| ID | 314158 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Sylvia Y C Lai Kwok |
| GIVEN NAMES | Sylvia Y C Lai |
| FAMILY NAME | Kwok |
| SIGNATURE | KWOK S Y C L |
| AFFILIATIONS | City University of Hong Kong |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-4452-6819 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 35 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 44 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 35 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1999 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
A Meaning- and Emotion-Regulation-Based Intervention for Problematic Interactive Media use Among Chinese Rural Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Purpose: To evaluate a meaning- and emotion-regulation-based intervention for preventing Problematic Interactive Media Use (PIMU) among Chinese rural adolescents. Method: In total, 106 high school freshmen ( M age = 15.15, SD = 0.47) were randomized to intervention or waitlist control. Four weekly 90-min sessions targeting meaning in life and emotion regulation were delivered by trained counselors, with assessments at baseline (T1), postintervent…
The impact of parental emotional abuse on psychological distress among primary school students in China during the Covid-19 pandemic: The roles of resilience, growth mindset, and positive relationship…
Parental emotional abuse (PEA) may result in psychological distress in children, especially under the challenging circumstances caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Protective factors, such as resilience, a growth mindset, and positive relationships at school, may mitigate the influence of PEA on a child’s mental health. The study investigated the impact of PEA on primary school students’ mental health. Based on the systematic self-reflection …
Effects of social mistreatment, academic alienation, and developmental challenge on university students' well‐being through coping strategies: A longitudinal study
BACKGROUND: Few studies have concurrently examined how different types of stressors influence university students' well-being through their use of coping strategies. Exploring such effects should enrich our understanding of how individuals develop strategies for coping with specific stressful situations and provide insights into the mechanisms by which different stressors impact students' well-being in higher education contexts. AIMS: This study …
Development and Validation of the State of Meaning in Life (SoMIL) Scale among Chinese Adolescents
The effectiveness of character strength intervention on severe mental illness in Hong Kong
The Character Strength Intervention is designed to cultivate and enhance positive traits and virtues in individuals. We sought to explore whether severely mentally ill adult participants who attended sixteen 40-min sessions of the intervention and treatment as usual (TAU) would report higher purpose in life, life satisfaction, recovery, and happiness composite scores than participants in TAU only. Thirty-nine participants received Intervention + …
A longitudinal study of perceived social support from friends and hope in adolescents: Emotional intelligence as the mediator
Characteristics and Correlates of Meaning in Life Profiles among Chinese Rural Adolescents
The meaning in life (MIL) in adolescence is crucial in the developmental process of life. Anchored in the Integrated Model of Meaning Making and the Dual-Systems Model of Meaning, the present study aimed to explore the MIL profiles among Chinese rural adolescents and their characteristics, as well as the role of depression, well-being, character strengths, and academic encouragement in differentiating the MIL profiles. A sample of 579 adolescents…
Positive parenting, attachment, epistemic curiosity, and competence motivation of preschool children in Hong Kong: A serial mediation model
Individual, Peer, and Family Correlates of Depressive Symptoms among College Students in Hong Kong
In this study, an ecological model and developmental psychopathology theory focusing on an ontogenic system (hopelessness) and microsystems (peer alienation and childhood abuse and trauma) was adopted to examine the individual, peer, and family correlates of depressive symptoms among college Chinese students in Hong Kong, China. A cross-sectional survey research design with a convenience sampling procedure was used to examine a sample of college …
Effectiveness of a culturally specific school-based cognitive-behavioural group therapy for primary school children with anxiety problems in Hong Kong
This study explores effective outcomes of a social worker-delivered, culturally adapted school-based cognitive-behaviour group to improve anxiety symptoms among primary school children in Hong Kong. Pre- and post- scores of the intervention groups were compared with waiting-list control groups using repeated measures ANOVA. A statistically significant reduction in anxiety level was evident in the treatment groups compared with the control groups.…
Examining live-in foreign domestic helpers correlates and parenting correlates in children’s externalizing behavior in Hong Kong
A Longitudinal Network Analysis of the Interactions of Risk and Protective Factors for Suicidal Potential in Early Adolescents
A Multiple Component Positive Psychology Intervention to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Happiness in Adolescents: The Mediating Roles of Gratitude and Emotional Intelligence
The Relationship between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Problematic Social Media Use during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Serial Mediation Model
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant interruptions to life certainty, and there has been a lack of research on the influence of uncertainty. The present research aimed to explore how intolerance of uncertainty, maladaptive coping strategies, and fear of missing out affect social media use in a Chinese community sample (N = 311) during the pandemic. Serial mediation analysis was applied, integrating the mediating role of maladaptive copin…
Navigating Stigma and Discrimination: Experiences of Migrant Children with Special Needs and Their Families in Accessing Education and Healthcare in Hong Kong
This paper explores the barriers to supporting South Asian (Pakistani, Nepalese and Indian) migrant children with special needs and their families encountered navigating Hong Kong's special needs system and accessing education and healthcare services. It adopts concepts of stigma and disability rights. It draws on semi-structured interviews with fifteen South Asian children and young people with special needs (age 5-21; M = 10; F = 5) and their f…
A Cross-Lagged Panel Study Examining the Reciprocal Relationships Between Positive Emotions, Meaning, Strengths use and Study Engagement in Primary School Students
Study engagement has been considered a key predictor of school performance among students. Although the potential contribution of positive psychology to education has been recognised, the research findings and implications related to primary school students remain largely unexplored. Given that authentic happiness theory and the broaden-and-build theory have posited the important roles of positive emotions, meaning, engagement and strengths use i…
The significance of emotional intelligence to students’ learning motivation and academic achievement: A study in Hong Kong with a Confucian heritage
The relationship between parent-child triangulation and early adolescent depression in Hong Kong: The mediating roles of self-acceptance, positive relations and personal growth
Parental Suicidal Ideation and Child Depressive Symptoms: The Roles of Optimism and Gratitude
This study aimed to compare the influence of paternal and maternal suicidal ideation on child depressive symptoms and examine the moderating effects of children’s positive psychological traits: optimism and gratitude. A cross-sectional survey with 302 children and parents from five primary schools in Hong Kong were recruited. Results indicated that maternal suicidal ideation was significantly related to child depressive symptoms while paternal su…
A Longitudinal Study of Power-Assertive Discipline, Inductive Discipline and Preschoolers’ Anxiety: Preschoolers’ Forgiveness as a Moderator
Integrating Positive Psychology and Elements of Music Therapy to Alleviate Adolescent Anxiety
Purpose: Incorporating the resource-oriented music therapy framework, the present study aims to examine the effectiveness of a designed protocol, integrating positive psychology, and elements of music therapy, in increasing the sense of hope and enhancing emotional competence, hence decreasing anxiety and increasing subjective happiness of the adolescents with anxiety symptoms. Method: Adopting a two-arm randomized controlled trial, 106 Grade 8 t…
The moderating effects of positive psychological strengths on the relationship between tiger parenting and child anxiety
Parenting Discrepancy and Child Development in Chinese Context
Although parent–child discrepant perception of the family has been increasingly noted in the west, pertinent research is limited in Chinese societies. In addition, prior pertinent studies predominantly treated parent–child discrepant effects as independent of the general and aggregate family context, which are in fact inseparable. Furthermore, these studies tended to either look at the positive side of child outcomes or those negative ones. The p…
Differential influences of parental home literacy practices and anxiety in English as a foreign language on Chinese children's English development
This study investigated the differential influences of maternal and paternal factors on Chinese children's English as a foreign language development. It took into account both behavioral (i.e. parental home literacy practices, HLP; and children's vocabulary knowledge) and emotional (i.e. parental and children's foreign language reading anxiety, FLRA) aspects of home literacy environment and children's language outcomes. Forty-eight Chinese first …
The moderating effects of positive psychological strengths on the relationship between parental anxiety and child depression: The significance of father's role in Hong Kong
A Mediation Model of Father Involvement with Preschool Children in Hong Kong
Stresses and mental health of fathers with younger children in Hong Kong: Implications for social work practices
This study aimed to explore the sources of parenting stress and the mental health of fathers with kindergarten and primary-school children in Hong Kong. It examined the intervening effects of parenting self-efficacy on the mental health of fathers. Results suggested that fathers who perceived their children as more demanding, less acceptable, less adaptable and less reinforcing had more parenting stress, as well as those fathers with lower educat…
The moderating effects of positive psychological strengths on the relationship between tiger parenting and child anxiety
Positive Psychology Intervention to Alleviate Child Depression and Increase Life Satisfaction: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Purpose: The study aims to examine the effectiveness of a positive psychology group-based intervention program, incorporating elements of hope and gratitude, in decreasing depression and increasing life satisfaction among primary school students in Hong Kong. Method: A total of 68 children, with the Depression score of Chinese Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale from 9 to 11, were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. An eig…
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mental Health First Aid Program for Chinese People in Hong Kong
Purpose: Chinese people generally lack knowledge of mental illness. Such phenomenon may lead to a delay in seeking psychiatric treatments. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program in improving mental health knowledge of the general public in Hong Kong. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was adopted whereby 138 participants received MHFA training and 139 partook in seminars on general health, respectively.…
Personal and Family Correlates of Suicidal Ideation Among Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong
A Longitudinal Network Analysis of the Interactions of Risk and Protective Factors for Suicidal Potential in Early Adolescents
The significance of emotional intelligence to students’ learning motivation and academic achievement: A study in Hong Kong with a Confucian heritage
The moderating effects of positive psychological strengths on the relationship between parental anxiety and child depression: The significance of father's role in Hong Kong
The relationship between childhood physical abuse and suicidal ideation among Chinese university students: Possible moderators
The Role of Emotional Competence in the Association Between Optimism and Depression Among Chinese Adolescents
Evaluating Effectiveness of Cognitive–Behavior Therapy for Hong Kong Adolescents With Anxiety Problems
Objectives: The aims of this study were to examine the effects of group cognitive–behavior therapy (CBT) on improving anxiety symptoms and enhancing personal growth among adolescents at risk of developing anxiety disorders in school settings in Hong Kong. Method: A total of 26 participants received an eight-session CBT group and 20 received treatment as usual in the waitlist control condition. Instruments measuring anxiety symptoms, types of anxi…
Integrating Positive Psychology and Elements of Music Therapy to Alleviate Adolescent Anxiety
Purpose: Incorporating the resource-oriented music therapy framework, the present study aims to examine the effectiveness of a designed protocol, integrating positive psychology, and elements of music therapy, in increasing the sense of hope and enhancing emotional competence, hence decreasing anxiety and increasing subjective happiness of the adolescents with anxiety symptoms. Method: Adopting a two-arm randomized controlled trial, 106 Grade 8 t…
Predictors of Divorcing Women's Use of Divorce Mediation
This study examined the relations between perceived usefulness of mediation, problem susceptibility, mental health conditions, availability of social support, and the likelihood of using divorce mediation service. The sample comprised 124 divorcing women in Hong Kong who sought legal aid to settle matrimonial issues. A large proportion of participants indicated their willingness to use mediation. Logistic regression showed that likely users have …
Stresses and mental health of fathers with younger children in Hong Kong: Implications for social work practices
This study aimed to explore the sources of parenting stress and the mental health of fathers with kindergarten and primary-school children in Hong Kong. It examined the intervening effects of parenting self-efficacy on the mental health of fathers. Results suggested that fathers who perceived their children as more demanding, less acceptable, less adaptable and less reinforcing had more parenting stress, as well as those fathers with lower educat…
Personal and Family Correlates of Suicidal Ideation Among Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mental Health First Aid Program for Chinese People in Hong Kong
Purpose: Chinese people generally lack knowledge of mental illness. Such phenomenon may lead to a delay in seeking psychiatric treatments. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program in improving mental health knowledge of the general public in Hong Kong. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was adopted whereby 138 participants received MHFA training and 139 partook in seminars on general health, respectively.…
An Integrated Model of Suicidal Ideation in Transcultural Populations of Chinese Adolescents
A Mediation Model of Father Involvement with Preschool Children in Hong Kong
The Role of Emotional Competence in the Association Between Optimism and Depression Among Chinese Adolescents
Positive Psychology Intervention to Alleviate Child Depression and Increase Life Satisfaction: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Purpose: The study aims to examine the effectiveness of a positive psychology group-based intervention program, incorporating elements of hope and gratitude, in decreasing depression and increasing life satisfaction among primary school students in Hong Kong. Method: A total of 68 children, with the Depression score of Chinese Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale from 9 to 11, were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. An eig…
Evaluating Effectiveness of Cognitive–Behavior Therapy for Hong Kong Adolescents With Anxiety Problems
Objectives: The aims of this study were to examine the effects of group cognitive–behavior therapy (CBT) on improving anxiety symptoms and enhancing personal growth among adolescents at risk of developing anxiety disorders in school settings in Hong Kong. Method: A total of 26 participants received an eight-session CBT group and 20 received treatment as usual in the waitlist control condition. Instruments measuring anxiety symptoms, types of anxi…
Differential influences of parental home literacy practices and anxiety in English as a foreign language on Chinese children's English development
This study investigated the differential influences of maternal and paternal factors on Chinese children's English as a foreign language development. It took into account both behavioral (i.e. parental home literacy practices, HLP; and children's vocabulary knowledge) and emotional (i.e. parental and children's foreign language reading anxiety, FLRA) aspects of home literacy environment and children's language outcomes. Forty-eight Chinese first …
The moderating effects of positive psychological strengths on the relationship between parental anxiety and child depression: The significance of father's role in Hong Kong
The relationship between childhood physical abuse and suicidal ideation among Chinese university students: Possible moderators
Integrating Positive Psychology and Elements of Music Therapy to Alleviate Adolescent Anxiety
Purpose: Incorporating the resource-oriented music therapy framework, the present study aims to examine the effectiveness of a designed protocol, integrating positive psychology, and elements of music therapy, in increasing the sense of hope and enhancing emotional competence, hence decreasing anxiety and increasing subjective happiness of the adolescents with anxiety symptoms. Method: Adopting a two-arm randomized controlled trial, 106 Grade 8 t…
The moderating effects of positive psychological strengths on the relationship between tiger parenting and child anxiety
Parenting Discrepancy and Child Development in Chinese Context
Although parent–child discrepant perception of the family has been increasingly noted in the west, pertinent research is limited in Chinese societies. In addition, prior pertinent studies predominantly treated parent–child discrepant effects as independent of the general and aggregate family context, which are in fact inseparable. Furthermore, these studies tended to either look at the positive side of child outcomes or those negative ones. The p…
A Longitudinal Study of Power-Assertive Discipline, Inductive Discipline and Preschoolers’ Anxiety: Preschoolers’ Forgiveness as a Moderator
The relationship between parent-child triangulation and early adolescent depression in Hong Kong: The mediating roles of self-acceptance, positive relations and personal growth
Parental Suicidal Ideation and Child Depressive Symptoms: The Roles of Optimism and Gratitude
This study aimed to compare the influence of paternal and maternal suicidal ideation on child depressive symptoms and examine the moderating effects of children’s positive psychological traits: optimism and gratitude. A cross-sectional survey with 302 children and parents from five primary schools in Hong Kong were recruited. Results indicated that maternal suicidal ideation was significantly related to child depressive symptoms while paternal su…
A Cross-Lagged Panel Study Examining the Reciprocal Relationships Between Positive Emotions, Meaning, Strengths use and Study Engagement in Primary School Students
Study engagement has been considered a key predictor of school performance among students. Although the potential contribution of positive psychology to education has been recognised, the research findings and implications related to primary school students remain largely unexplored. Given that authentic happiness theory and the broaden-and-build theory have posited the important roles of positive emotions, meaning, engagement and strengths use i…
The significance of emotional intelligence to students’ learning motivation and academic achievement: A study in Hong Kong with a Confucian heritage
A Multiple Component Positive Psychology Intervention to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Happiness in Adolescents: The Mediating Roles of Gratitude and Emotional Intelligence
The Relationship between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Problematic Social Media Use during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Serial Mediation Model
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant interruptions to life certainty, and there has been a lack of research on the influence of uncertainty. The present research aimed to explore how intolerance of uncertainty, maladaptive coping strategies, and fear of missing out affect social media use in a Chinese community sample (N = 311) during the pandemic. Serial mediation analysis was applied, integrating the mediating role of maladaptive copin…
Navigating Stigma and Discrimination: Experiences of Migrant Children with Special Needs and Their Families in Accessing Education and Healthcare in Hong Kong
This paper explores the barriers to supporting South Asian (Pakistani, Nepalese and Indian) migrant children with special needs and their families encountered navigating Hong Kong's special needs system and accessing education and healthcare services. It adopts concepts of stigma and disability rights. It draws on semi-structured interviews with fifteen South Asian children and young people with special needs (age 5-21; M = 10; F = 5) and their f…
Positive parenting, attachment, epistemic curiosity, and competence motivation of preschool children in Hong Kong: A serial mediation model
Individual, Peer, and Family Correlates of Depressive Symptoms among College Students in Hong Kong
In this study, an ecological model and developmental psychopathology theory focusing on an ontogenic system (hopelessness) and microsystems (peer alienation and childhood abuse and trauma) was adopted to examine the individual, peer, and family correlates of depressive symptoms among college Chinese students in Hong Kong, China. A cross-sectional survey research design with a convenience sampling procedure was used to examine a sample of college …
Psychology (34 works) · Clinical Psychology (23 works) · Psychiatry (20 works) · Developmental psychology (19 works) · Medicine (18 works) · Clinical Psychology (17 works) · Social Psychology (17 works) · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development (15 works) · Anxiety (12 works) · Social Psychology (10 works)