Discovering socially withdrawn youth in Shanghai through the eyes of social workers
A mixed-methods study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21721648 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lucia L Liu (0000-0001-6021-7621, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong), Tim M H Li (0000-0002-6328-0105, University of Hong Kong), Tim MH Li (Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong), Paul WC Wong (Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 435-455 |
| Publication date | 2021-05-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Social Work (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1468-0173 • E-ISSN: 1741-296X |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/1468017320911509 |
| OpenAlex | W3011716332 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 26 |
The phenomenon of the social withdrawal of youth has been increasingly identified in some developed Asian and Western countries. There is also evidence to suggest that it is an emerging problem among the youth of China. To assess the current status of this youth problem in China, an exploratory mixed-methods study was conducted to collect the views through survey from 364 social workers in Shanghai and five focus group interviews were then conducted. Findings Social workers in Shanghai began to identify cases of social withdrawal among youth as early as in 2004. Social workers’ perceptions and intervention approaches were influenced by the extent of their experience in working with the identified youth group. They believed family relationships were a key causal factor in the social withdrawal of youth. The majority of family members of socially withdrawn youth tended to see social workers as the first line of help. Social workers also reported that the fragmentation of existing social services in Shanghai was a significant barrier, with respect to the rendering of timely assistance to this youth population. Applications This study can be considered to be the first attempt to explore the extent and nature of youth social withdrawal behaviour in China, from the perspectives of Chinese social workers. It is hoped that the study provides insights into the capacity of the existing youth social services in China to deal with this emerging youth issue
China · Developmental psychology · Focus group · Political science · Population · Positive Youth Development · Sociology · Youth studies · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Demography · Family and Disability Support Research · Psychology · Youth Substance Use and School Attendance · Social Work
Working with Qualitative Data
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Only Hope
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A New Form of Social Withdrawal in Japan
Japan’s Hidden Youths
China’s social welfare
Social withdrawal as invisible youth disengagement
Cyber youth work in Hong Kong
The Japanese Hikikomori Phenomenon
Parent-Child Communication Problems and the Perceived Inadequacies of Chinese Only Children
Social Pressure and Unfulfilled Dreams Among Chinese and Belgian Parents
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |