Background and aims: The study aims to thoroughly understand the causal and precedent modifiable risk or protective factors for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), a newly defined and prevalent mental disorder.Methods: We performed a systematic review on quality-designed longitudinal studies based on five online databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science. Studies were included in the meta-analysis if they addressed IGD, adopted longitudinal, prospective, or cohort study designs, presented modifiable factors of IGD, and reported the effect sizes for correlations. Pooled Pearson's correlations were calculated using the random effects model.Results: Thirty-nine studies with 37,042 subjects were included. We identified 34 modifiable factors, including 23 intrapersonal factors (e.g., gaming time, loneliness, etc.), 10 interpersonal factors (e.g., peer relationship, social support, etc.), and 1 environmental factor (i.e., school engagement). Age, the male ratio, study region, and study years were significant moderators.Discussion and conclusions: Intrapersonal factors were stronger predictors than interpersonal and environmental factors. It may imply that individual-based theories are more powerful to explain the development of IGD. Longitudinal research on the environmental factors of IGD was lacking; more studies are warranted. The identified modifiable factors would help to guide effective interventions for IGD reduction and prevention.

Purpose Hong Kong has experienced four waves of COVID-19 since the first case was confirmed in January 2020. Several studies have highlighted the psychological impacts of the outbreak in Hong Kong but have largely ignored the protective factors that contribute to resilience among vulnerable families. This study adopted an ecological resilience framework to explore the impact of this epidemic on members of families with youth with a delinquent tendency/mental health concerns and the ecological protective factors for these vulnerable families. Methods Random sampling based on a sampling frame provided by one of the largest local social service organizations in Hong Kong led to the recruitment of 407 respondents who were interviewed using a battery of standardized questionnaires. Results The results showed that 30.6% and 11.5% of respondents reported a moderate and a severe level of psychological distress, respectively, almost double the percentages reported in a previous study conducted in Hong Kong before the COVID-19 outbreak. Around 36.6% of respondents indicated they had encountered financial problems and almost 40% indicated aggravated financial circumstances since the outbreak. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that financial stress was the strongest predictor of psychological distress. Structural equation modeling indicated that family support, indoor leisure activities and community resources significantly mediated the negative influence of COVID-19-related stressors on psychological distress of family members. Conclusion Family leisure activities, family support, community spirit and mutual help within the context of social-distancing restrictions may need to be promoted to benefit vulnerable families in Hong Kong under the COVID-19 epidemic.

With the rise in attention towards Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Hong Kong and worldwide, understanding the role of social ecological resilience in reducing parenting stress and enhancing child outcomes is crucial, particularly within the unique cultural context of Chinese families. This study utilized a social ecological model to examine resilience factors at individual and interpersonal levels among Hong Kong parents of children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. It also compared the stress and resilience conditions and differential functions of social ecological resilience between parents with and without children diagnosed with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. A sample of 447 parents of children with and without Neurodevelopmental Disorders were assessed by a newly developed Social Ecological Resilience Scale, along with measures of parenting stress and the internalizing and externalizing behaviors of their children. Independent sample t-tests showed that Chinese parents of children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders report significantly higher parenting stress and more internalizing and externalizing difficulties in their children compared to those without Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that enhanced social ecological resilience among parents predicted improved parenting stress and better outcomes in children’s behaviors. Notably, social ecological resilience factors showed varying effects between parents with and without children diagnosed with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. These findings highlight that both individual and interpersonal resilience factors among parents predicted improved parenting stress and better outcomes in children’s behaviors and certain resilience factors may be contextually motivated. Policy makers and practitioners should consider developing context-specific strategies and programmes to help the focal target group.

Purpose: This study developed and evaluated an adventure-based cognitive behavioral intervention (aCBI) program to respond to the higher education mental health crisis in Hong Kong. Methods: The aCBI program was delivered in the form of a 13-week general education (GE) course and was evaluated at pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up. A total of 544 undergraduate students who experienced psychological distress were randomized to either the aCBI group (n = 197) or the wait-list control group (WLC) (n = 347). Results: Compared with their WLC counterparts, the aCBI participants showed significantly stronger improvements in psychological distress, perceived stress, positive and negative emotions, and resilience at the posttest and 3-month follow-up. Positive and negative thoughts and sense-making coping partially mediated the treatment effects of aCBI. Conclusions: The aCBI program shows promise for inclusion in higher education curriculums to bridge the mental health service gaps for Chinese university students.