D W L Lai
Biographic Data
| ID | 55731 |
|---|---|
| NAME | D W L Lai |
| GIVEN NAMES | D W L |
| FAMILY NAME | Lai |
| SIGNATURE | LAI D W L |
| AFFILIATIONS | Hong Kong Baptist University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-6365-3189 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 66 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 162 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 66 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1999 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 8 |
Impact of extreme weather events on mental health among older adults in China: A longitudinal study
Extreme heat events significantly reduce the mental health of the elderly. • Chronic disease, exercise, and contact with children had mediating effects. • Social, medical, and digital services mitigated the negative impact. • The impacts of extreme heat vary by individual and city. Extreme weather events pose significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older adults, potentially exacerbating existing health inequaliti…
Intergenerational Engagement and Challenges: Participants’ Perspectives on Intergenerational Activities in Hong Kong
202410 bcch
Intergenerationally tied relocation and care circulation: Motivations, struggles, and future arrangements
Experiences of South Asians in the Covid-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
This qualitative study aims to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected South Asians in Hong Kong. A total of 34 South Asian adults completed the interview. Data were analysed thematically and three broad themes emerged: the impact of the pandemic on daily life, discrimination experienced, coping with challenges. The impacts of COVID-19 have spanned across from individual, family, community, to societal domains. Future research using a …
Mental health challenges of recent immigrants in precarious work environments — a qualitative study
The study proposes a multidimensional approach to address workplace conditions to promote good mental health for these employees. This includes preventative programs for raising awareness among employers about the importance of recent immigrant employees' mental health and well-being and policy and legislation changes to ensure the employer's commitment to creating a safe and culturally friendly workplace. The approach also recommends that recent…
Intimate networks of care: Perceptions of intergenerational family care and experiences of ageing among Chinese midlife and older lesbians and gay men
This article examines how lesbians and gay men imagine and build their 'intimate networks of care' and negotiate moral expectations towards intergenerational family care as they age. To date, little is known about the strength and complexities of different intimate ties or the role of intergenerational dynamics in shaping ageing sexual minority people's care needs and choices. Based on narrative interviews with ageing Chinese lesbians and gay men…
Experience of Chinese Recent Retirees on the Effects of Retirement on Healthy Ageing in Shenzhen and Hong Kong
This study examined perspectives of recent retirees in Shenzhen and Hong Kong on how retirement influenced their healthy ageing. It investigated retirees’ perceptions of healthy ageing and the ways in which healthy ageing connected with retirees’ transition into retirement. A qualitative design with narrative interviews was used to interview twelve recent retirees in Shenzhen and thirteen in Hong Kong. The participants elaborated their perspectiv…
Access to Information and Communication Technology, Digital Skills, and Perceived Well-Being among Older Adults in Hong Kong
Population aging is a major concern worldwide. Active aging should be promoted by increasing the social participation of older adults and enabling them to remain involved in the community. Research has demonstrated the utility of digital resources for addressing the needs of older adults, which include networking, entertaining, and seeking health-related information. However, the digital divide among older adults (i.e., the "gray digital divide")…
Social Capital and Mental Wellbeing of Older People Migrating along with Adult Children in Shenzhen, China
The phenomenon of 'older people migrating along' (OPMA) with adult children is a unique outcome of social changes that have occurred in China. These individuals generally experience different challenges and needs associated with mental wellbeing. However, there is limited research on the relationship between the social capital and mental health of OPMA in China. This study aims to examine the mental health status of OPMA and the effects of bondin…
Reflexive Planning for Later Life: Minority Stress and Aging Challenges among Midlife Chinese Lesbians and Gay Men
This study examines how Chinese lesbians and gay men make sense of the prospect of growing old and plan for later life in Hong Kong, where same-sex relationships are yet to be legally recognized. Drawing on in-depth narrative interviews, the results show that lesbians and gay men in midlife reported a range of previous, current, and anticipated challenges associated with the stigma attached to homosexuality. These, in turn, shaped their ways of p…
The Older, the Happier: A Cross-Sectional Study on the “Paradox of Aging” in China
The “paradox of aging” refers to the phenomenon that even though people’s physical health and functions may decline when they enter later adulthood, their happiness does not necessarily. Previous studies have shown that older adults’ better emotional regulation skills may contribute to the maintenance of their happiness. This study aims to examine the relationship between age, health, and happiness, and the moderating role of emotional stability.…
Mental Health of Employed Family Caregivers in Canada: A Gender-Based Analysis on the Role of Workplace Support
This study examines the effect of gender differences in mental health outcomes among employed family caregivers, focusing on the role of workplace support in balancing work and caregiving. Guided by the social role theory, this study analyzes nationally representative data from the 2012 Canada General Social Survey, with a sample of 2,426 participants. Women experience worse mental health outcomes than men when they require employment adjustment …
Predictors of Covid-19 actual vaccine uptake in Hong Kong: A longitudinal population-based survey
Future strategies to promote vaccination may focus on building public trust in government and healthcare professional, and encouraging vaccinated individuals to share their vaccine uptake status via social networking
The Impact of Pandemic-Related Life Stress on Internet Gaming: Social Cynicism and Gaming Motivation as Serial Mediators
A heightened interest in online gaming has emerged during COVID-19, and people have become increasingly vulnerable to internet gaming disorder (IGD). However, playing video games can also have a positive effect; gaming has been recognized as an efficient coping strategy. Currently, relatively little is understood about how online gaming can turn from an efficient coping strategy into an addiction disorder. This study investigated the mediating ro…
Mobile Application Use and Loneliness among Older Adults in the Digital Age: Insights from a Survey in Hong Kong during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Existing literature on the associations between use of mobile applications (i.e., mobile apps) and loneliness among older adults (OAs) has been mainly conducted before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since mobile apps have been increasingly used by OAs during the pandemic, subsequent effects on social and emotional loneliness need updated investigation. This paper examines the relationship between mobile app use and loneliness among Hong K…
Meaning Making as a Lifebuoy in Dementia Caregiving: Predicting Depression from a Generation Perspective Using a Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis
Depressive symptomatology is associated with caregiver burden and poor health outcomes among dementia caregivers. Scholars called for a paradigm shift to focus on positive aspects of caregiving, in particular, meaning making during the caregiving journey. This study draws on the meaning making model and a generation perspective to predict depression among dementia caregivers from two generations, including Baby Boomers who were born between 1946 …
A Quasi-Experimental Study on the Effect of an Outdoor Physical Activity Program on the Well-Being of Older Chinese People in Hong Kong
Active participation in physical activity by older people is effective in improving their health. This research aims to examine the positive effects of participation in vigorous outdoor physical activities by older Chinese people in Hong Kong, and whether such effects would vary with socioeconomic background. A quasi-experimental, nonequivalent group design was used. A total of 22 participants were randomly assigned to participate in an outdoor p…
Mental health of older migrants migrating along with adult children in China: A systematic review
Due to urbanisation in China, about 7.74 million older people have migrated to urban centres, where their adult children reside and work, to care for their grandchildren. While older migrants may benefit from family reunion and mutual support, empirical studies have identified challenges to adaptation, integration and mental health. Employing a systematic literature review approach, this paper examines recent empirical studies on the mental healt…
Resilience as a protective factor against elder abuse by family caregivers: Findings from a cross-sectional study in Hong Kong
Purpose This study aims to explore the risk and protective factors of abuse on older adults by family caregivers, with a special focus on the protective role of caregiver resilience in elder abuse. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional survey was conducted on a purposive sample of 600 family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong (mean age = 71.04 and female = 67.2%). Caregivers reported in a guided interview about …
Dementia literacy of racially minoritized people in a Chinese society: A qualitative study among South Asian migrants in Hong Kong
This is the first study to explore how ethnic minorities in Asia perceive dementia and its related help-seeking behaviors in their communities. South Asian migrants in Hong Kong have a limited understanding of dementia and may experience delays in obtaining relevant community services. While culture influenced their knowledge, health education may address their misperceptions and help-seeking behaviors toward dementia. Culture- and language-speci…
Abuse and Discrimination Experienced by Older Women in the Era of Covid-19: A Two-Wave Representative Community Survey in Hong Kong
Although there is a growing volume of research on violence against women, violence against older women has received little attention to date. Little is known about the experience of elder abuse, discrimination, loneliness, and health among older women, in particular in the era of COVID-19 when our lives have been changed drastically. Using two waves of survey data ( N = 1,498), this study compared the estimates of elder abuse and age discriminati…
Use of unstructured intervention in a community‐based mental health setting for the recovery of people with depression in Hong Kong: A qualitative assessment
This qualitative evaluation study examined the impact of unstructured intervention on people with depression in a community mental health centre in Hong Kong. In the intervention, service users initiated groups and designed group activities by themselves, with social workers as facilitators. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with service users enrolled in unstructured intervention, their family members, and service providers in 2019. Over…
A Multidimensional Approach to Explore the Experiences with Ethnic Matching amongst Chinese Social Service Practitioners in the Greater Toronto Area
In multicultural societies, social workers often work with people of diverse cultural backgrounds. As one of the strategies to facilitate social workers’ cultural competence in diverse settings, they are often matched with clients of the same or similar cultural backgrounds. This practice is called ethnic matching and is commonly utilised in ethno-specific and immigrant-serving organisations. This practice has been extensively studied in the lite…
Receptivity and Readiness for Cultural Competence Training Amongst the Social Workers in Hong Kong
This research examined understandings of cultural competence of social workers in Hong Kong, their needs and challenges in serving culturally diverse groups, and their willingness and receptivity to receive cultural competence training by using constructivist grounded theory. Individual qualitative interviews were conducted with thirteen frontline and managerial practitioners and educators in training institutions in the social work profession. D…
Predicting Public Adherence to Covid-19 Preventive Measures: A Cross-Sectional Study in Hong Kong
Objectives: To effectively control the spread of COVID-19, the public's adherence to relevant disease preventive measures (DPM) is critical. This study examined individuals' adherence to various DPM and identified facilitators and barriers to adherence in a community sample in Hong Kong. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, telephone surveys were conducted over December 2020 and January 2021. Participants provided responses on their adherence …
Ageism and Depression: Perceptions of Older People as a Burden in China
Traditional values and beliefs about aging and older adults appear to be changing in China, as a result of transformations in family structure and social system in the context of rapid modernization and economic growth. This study examined the effects of burden views toward Chinese older adults on their depressive symptoms based on a secondary analysis of data collected from a sample of 954 Chinese adults aged 60 and over in Jiangsu Province. Aft…
Predictors of Depression in Aging South Asian Canadians
Health Status of Older Chinese in Canada: Findings from the SF-36 Health Survey
Personal care expectations: Photovoices of Chinese ageing adults in Hong Kong
The increasing ageing population contributes to growing demands for personal care that fulfils ageing adults' preferences and expectations. This study explored Chinese ageing adults' expected forms and sources of future personal care and the factors influencing care expectations. A qualitative photovoice research method - which integrated photography, interviews and group discussions - was used for data collection between January and April 2016. …
Subethnic interpersonal dynamic in diasporic community: A study on Chinese immigrants in Vancouver
201909 bcrc
Effect of Financial Costs on Caregiving Burden of Family Caregivers of Older Adults
This study examined the effects of perceived financial costs on caregiving burden experienced by family caregivers. The target population was family caregivers for older adults who were 65 years of age and older in Calgary, Alberta. Telephone interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire, with a random sample of 340 family caregivers. The financial costs associated with family caregiving were a significant factor in caregiving burden…
Unspoken Skills and Tactics: Essentials for Immigrant Professionals in Integration to Workplace Culture
Effects of Service Barriers on Health Status of Older Chinese Immigrants in Canada
The authors examine the effects of service barriers on the health status of older Chinese immigrants in Canada. A survey was completed in seven Canadian cities by a random sample of 2,214 older Chinese immigrants age 55 years or older. Service barriers related to administrative problems, personal attitudes, and circumstantial difficulties were significant predictors of physical and mental health when controlling for the demographic factors. Empir…
Language Use and Violence: Assessing the Relationship Between Linguistic Context and Macrolevel Violence
Scholars have produced a sizable body of research assessing the macrolevel links between immigration and crime. However, researchers have given far less attention to related questions about the effects of language use on aggregate levels of violence. The current study addresses this gap in research by exploring the ways that patterns of language use—specifically, language heterogeneity and Spanish‐language concentration—are related to year 2010 s…
Use of Annual Physical Examinations by Aging Chinese Canadians
Findings showed importance in targeting identified groups for preventive health education. Strengthened ethnic identity may serve to enhance one's social support network, which in turn facilitates the use of annual physical examinations. There may be awareness within the Chinese cultural network that builds education and attentiveness to preventive health care. The misconceptions about annual physical examinations were also discussed
Effects of Social Exclusion on Depressive Symptoms: Elderly Chinese Living Alone in Shanghai, China
Ethnic Identity of Older Chinese in Canada
In Canada’s multicultural society, ethnic identity is important to the elderly and can influence areas such as access to services, health promotion and care. Often, the complex nature of ethnic identity is underestimated when looking at cultural groups. This study aims to: (a) validate the factor structure of a Chinese ethnic identity measure for older Chinese in Canada, (b) examine the level of ethnic identity of the participants, and (c) examin…
Chinese Health Beliefs of Older Chinese in Canada
Objectives. This study examines the cultural health beliefs held by older Chinese in Canada. Methods. Chinese surnames are randomly selected from the local Chinese telephone directories. Telephone screening is then conducted to identify eligible Chinese people 55 years of age or older to take part in a face-to-face interview to complete a structured survey questionnaire. Results. The results of exploratory factor analysis indicate that the health…
Violence Exposure and Mental Health of Adolescents in Small Towns: An Exploratory Study
Hopes and Wishes of Clients with Mentally Illness in Hong Kong
The Experience of Korean Immigrant Women Adjusting to Canadian Society
Prevalence of Depression Among the Elderly Chinese in Canada
Reflexive Planning for Later Life: Minority Stress and Aging Challenges among Midlife Chinese Lesbians and Gay Men
This study examines how Chinese lesbians and gay men make sense of the prospect of growing old and plan for later life in Hong Kong, where same-sex relationships are yet to be legally recognized. Drawing on in-depth narrative interviews, the results show that lesbians and gay men in midlife reported a range of previous, current, and anticipated challenges associated with the stigma attached to homosexuality. These, in turn, shaped their ways of p…
Employers' Perspectives on Hiring and Accommodating Workers With Mental Illness
Many individuals with mental illness want to return to work and stay in employment. Yet, there is little research that has examined the perspectives of employers on hiring and accommodating these workers and the kinds of supports employers need to facilitate their reintegration into the workforce. The aim of the current research was to explore the challenges employers face and the support they need to hire and accommodate workers with mental illn…
Impact of Culture on Use of Western Health Services by Older South Asian Canadians
Violence Across the Lifespan: Interconnections Among Forms of Abuse as Described by Marginalized Canadian Elders and their Care-givers
Elder abuse is recognized as a major problem, with profound effects on the health and quality of life of older persons. In our aging population, elder abuse represents an escalating clinical issue for social workers and health care professionals who provide care to older people. A major gap in our examination of elder abuse is the potential contribution and application of knowledge developed within research derived from other forms of family viol…
Intergenerational Engagement and Challenges: Participants’ Perspectives on Intergenerational Activities in Hong Kong
202410 bcch
Intimate networks of care: Perceptions of intergenerational family care and experiences of ageing among Chinese midlife and older lesbians and gay men
This article examines how lesbians and gay men imagine and build their 'intimate networks of care' and negotiate moral expectations towards intergenerational family care as they age. To date, little is known about the strength and complexities of different intimate ties or the role of intergenerational dynamics in shaping ageing sexual minority people's care needs and choices. Based on narrative interviews with ageing Chinese lesbians and gay men…
Dementia literacy of racially minoritized people in a Chinese society: A qualitative study among South Asian migrants in Hong Kong
This is the first study to explore how ethnic minorities in Asia perceive dementia and its related help-seeking behaviors in their communities. South Asian migrants in Hong Kong have a limited understanding of dementia and may experience delays in obtaining relevant community services. While culture influenced their knowledge, health education may address their misperceptions and help-seeking behaviors toward dementia. Culture- and language-speci…
Receptivity and Readiness for Cultural Competence Training Amongst the Social Workers in Hong Kong
This research examined understandings of cultural competence of social workers in Hong Kong, their needs and challenges in serving culturally diverse groups, and their willingness and receptivity to receive cultural competence training by using constructivist grounded theory. Individual qualitative interviews were conducted with thirteen frontline and managerial practitioners and educators in training institutions in the social work profession. D…
Violence Exposure and Mental Health of Adolescents in Small Towns: An Exploratory Study
Prevalence of Depression Among the Elderly Chinese in Canada
Predictors of Alcohol Drinking Among the Older Chinese in Canada
Research on alcohol drinking among the older adults, particularly the ones in ethnic minority communities, is lacking. This study examined the predictors of alcohol drinking among a random sample of 2,272 older Chinese in Canada. The participants aged between 55 years and 101 years and resided in seven major Canadian cities. The findings indicated that 16.7% of the older Chinese in this study reported drinking. Logistic regression was used and ag…
Health Status of Older Chinese in Canada: Findings from the SF-36 Health Survey
Use of Annual Physical Examinations by Aging Chinese Canadians
Findings showed importance in targeting identified groups for preventive health education. Strengthened ethnic identity may serve to enhance one's social support network, which in turn facilitates the use of annual physical examinations. There may be awareness within the Chinese cultural network that builds education and attentiveness to preventive health care. The misconceptions about annual physical examinations were also discussed
Gambling and the Older Chinese in Canada
Predictors of Use of Senior Centers by Elderly Chinese Immigrants in Canada
This study examined the prevalence and predictors of use of senior centers by a random sample of 1,537 elderly Chinese immigrants in Canada. A service utilization model of Andersen and Newman (1973) was adopted as the theoretical framework to examine the predicting effects of predisposing, enabling, and need factors. The findings showed that 28.8% of the elderly Chinese immigrants reported using a senior center within the past year. Having a reli…
Gender Differences in Caregiving: A Case in Chinese Canadian Caregivers
This study examines the gender differences in Chinese- Canadian family caregivers providing care to elderly Chinese care receivers. A random sample of 339 Chinese-Canadian caregivers for elderly care receivers completed a telephone survey. Most of the Chinese family caregivers were females. No major gender differences were reported in the amount and types of caregiving tasks. The level of caregiving burden and predictors were generally similar fo…
Use of Dental Care by Elderly Chinese Immigrants in Canada
The findings support the need for considering the cultural characteristics and background of elderly Chinese immigrants when strengthening oral health promotion. This should encompass understanding of the holistic concept of health that includes oral health and its connections with other physical health issues
Validation of the Zarit Burden Interview for Chinese Canadian Caregivers
Journal Article Validation of the Zarit Burden Interview for Chinese Canadian Caregivers Get access Daniel W. L. Lai, PhD Daniel W. L. Lai, PhD professor Alberta Heritage Health Scholar Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N1N4; e-mail: [email protected] Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Social Work Research, Volume 31, Issue 1, March 2007, Pages…
Violence Across the Lifespan: Interconnections Among Forms of Abuse as Described by Marginalized Canadian Elders and their Care-givers
Elder abuse is recognized as a major problem, with profound effects on the health and quality of life of older persons. In our aging population, elder abuse represents an escalating clinical issue for social workers and health care professionals who provide care to older people. A major gap in our examination of elder abuse is the potential contribution and application of knowledge developed within research derived from other forms of family viol…
Effects of Service Barriers on Health Status of Older Chinese Immigrants in Canada
The authors examine the effects of service barriers on the health status of older Chinese immigrants in Canada. A survey was completed in seven Canadian cities by a random sample of 2,214 older Chinese immigrants age 55 years or older. Service barriers related to administrative problems, personal attitudes, and circumstantial difficulties were significant predictors of physical and mental health when controlling for the demographic factors. Empir…
Predictors of Depression in Aging South Asian Canadians
Chinese Health Beliefs of Older Chinese in Canada
Objectives. This study examines the cultural health beliefs held by older Chinese in Canada. Methods. Chinese surnames are randomly selected from the local Chinese telephone directories. Telephone screening is then conducted to identify eligible Chinese people 55 years of age or older to take part in a face-to-face interview to complete a structured survey questionnaire. Results. The results of exploratory factor analysis indicate that the health…
Filial Piety, Caregiving Appraisal, and Caregiving Burden
This study examined the effects of filial piety on the appraisal of caregiving burden by Chinese-Canadian family caregivers. A quantitative telephone survey was used as the research design for this study. A total of 339 randomly selected Canadian-Chinese family caregivers of elderly were interviewed by telephone. A hypothesized model denoting both the direct and indirect effects of filial piety on caregiving burden was tested using structural equ…
The Size of an Ethno-Cultural Community as a Social Determinant of Health for Chinese Seniors
Impact of Culture on Use of Western Health Services by Older South Asian Canadians
Effects of Social Exclusion on Depressive Symptoms: Elderly Chinese Living Alone in Shanghai, China
Ethnic Identity of Older Chinese in Canada
In Canada’s multicultural society, ethnic identity is important to the elderly and can influence areas such as access to services, health promotion and care. Often, the complex nature of ethnic identity is underestimated when looking at cultural groups. This study aims to: (a) validate the factor structure of a Chinese ethnic identity measure for older Chinese in Canada, (b) examine the level of ethnic identity of the participants, and (c) examin…
Sexuality and Health Among Chinese Seniors in Canada
Effect of Financial Costs on Caregiving Burden of Family Caregivers of Older Adults
This study examined the effects of perceived financial costs on caregiving burden experienced by family caregivers. The target population was family caregivers for older adults who were 65 years of age and older in Calgary, Alberta. Telephone interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire, with a random sample of 340 family caregivers. The financial costs associated with family caregiving were a significant factor in caregiving burden…
Health Experiences of Korean Immigrant Women in Retirement
In this focused ethnographic study, we explored the health experiences of 15 Korean immigrant women after retirement in an urban center in Western Canada. Almost all women began their lives in Canada without adequate personal finances, making their employment essential for supporting their families financially. Most women lived with more than two chronic diseases, attributed to long hours and difficult work conditions. They experienced improved p…
Understanding elder abuse and neglect in aging Chinese immigrants in Canada
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss existing literature and available research findings related to understanding elder abuse and neglect in culturally diverse communities, particularly the Chinese immigrant community in Canada. The conceptual understandings of elder abuse are examined, based upon the socio-cultural context and challenges faced by aging Chinese immigrants. Design/methodology/approach – Previous literature …
The Experience of Korean Immigrant Women Adjusting to Canadian Society
Employers' Perspectives on Hiring and Accommodating Workers With Mental Illness
Many individuals with mental illness want to return to work and stay in employment. Yet, there is little research that has examined the perspectives of employers on hiring and accommodating these workers and the kinds of supports employers need to facilitate their reintegration into the workforce. The aim of the current research was to explore the challenges employers face and the support they need to hire and accommodate workers with mental illn…
Psychology (56 works) · Medicine (48 works) · Gerontology (37 works) · Sociology (36 works) · Political science (24 works) · Psychiatry (23 works) · Geography (21 works) · Social Psychology (21 works) · Health disparities and outcomes (20 works) · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving (18 works)