This study investigated the experiences of stigma and somatization among middle-aged adults with mental health issues. Using frameworks of public stigma, self-stigma, affiliate stigma, and somatization (both presenting and functional), the study explores how individuals navigate the stigma associated with mental health. Interviews were conducted with middle-aged adults in rural areas, and the data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to gain insights into their lived experiences. The findings reveal that mental health stigma in rural China significantly influences how individuals express mental distress, often leading to somatization. Patients tend to frame their mental health issues in terms of physical symptoms, such as headaches or fatigue, to avoid stigma. The study also highlights the role of cultural norms in shaping these expressions, particularly within the context of close-knit rural communities where mental health issues is stigmatized. The implications for education and policy are discussed, emphasizing the need for improved public mental health education and more equitable distribution of healthcare resources between urban and rural areas. This study contributes to the understanding of mental health stigma in rural China and offers practical suggestions for addressing mental health challenges in underserved communities.

While prevention programs improve parenting and reduce maltreatment risks, engaging parents, particularly from marginalized populations, remains challenging. This scoping review systematically examines the implementation of social network strategy as an engagement approach and evaluates its impact on engagement. A systematic search of relevant databases identified 18 eligible studies conducted between 2010 and 2023. These studies utilized social network engagement strategies. A total of 18 studies were identified. Most studies used the social network strategies to target context. Social network strategies demonstrated positive effects on behavioral, attitudinal, and relational engagement. However, few studies applied these strategies in pre- and post-implementation phases, and most lacked social network theoretical frameworks. Most studies used the qualitative methods to evaluate the engagement outcomes. Findings underscore the need for improved theoretical guidance and rigor evaluation of social network strategies. This review offers implications for designing and implementing effective child maltreatment prevention programs.

Although the issue of children running away from child welfare system (CWS) occurs in various contexts and has detrimental consequences, to our knowledge, it has received limited attention in academic research and practical interventions. This scoping review examines risk factors and motivations for running away among children in the CWS, drawing on 33 studies published between 1991 and 2025. The findings reveal that key demographic risk factors associated with running away from CWS were identified as older age and urban residence. The effects of gender and race/ethnicity remain inconsistent across studies. Child-related risk factors were identified as histories of abuse and criminal behavior, while findings regarding the role of children’s health in running away from CWS were mixed. Family-related factors were identified as parental incarceration and single-parent households. CWS-specific factors such as length of stay, unmet needs, placement instability, and poor system management were also associated with increased risk. Motivations for running away reflected both pull and push factors. Pull factors included reconnecting with family, maintaining social relationships, and substance use, whereas push factors involved seeking freedom from restrictive environments and escaping bullying within CWS. The review highlights the urgent need for needs-tailored and trauma-informed approaches within the CWS to reduce risks and address the complex needs of vulnerable children. It also calls for more research on runaway behaviors, targeted policies for diverse racial and gender groups, and improved practices to address bullying and unmet needs through diversified services.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which encompass a broad range of adverse events during childhood, are prevalent in rural China. However, help-seeking among adults with ACEs remains limited and underexplored. This study aims to examine the barriers to help-seeking behaviors among adults with ACEs in rural China. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 adults affected by ACEs in rural mainland China between October 2024 and December 2024. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews in Mandarin, and transcripts were analyzed using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, focusing on behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, and perceived behavioral control. The findings reveal barriers to help-seeking among individuals with ACEs in rural China, categorized into three key dimensions: (1) Behavioral Beliefs: Beliefs that corporal punishment is the responsibility as well as love of parents, and misconceptions attributing ACEs to personal faults significantly hindered help-seeking. (2) Normative Beliefs: Respect for parental authority in China culture context hinder help-seeking for adults with ACEs. Moreover, gender differences were evident, with men avoiding help-seeking due to perceived shame, while women were more likely to confide in friends and family. Finally, stigmatization of mental health services further inhibited help-seeking behaviors. (3) Perceived Behavioral Control: The lack of formal and informal support systems in rural areas exacerbated the issue, highlighting significant gaps in resource accessibility and cultural acceptance of mental health support. Addressing these barriers through public education, destigmatization of mental health services, and improved resource allocation could facilitate help-seeking behaviors and improve outcomes for individuals affected by ACEs.

The rising need and demand for mental health support are presenting challenges for mental health services including youth mental health social work. Online peer support is emerging as a promising pathway for effective support for young people facing mental health challenges. However, there is limited information about service users’ narratives of engagement and effectiveness of online peer support especially in relation to different cultural contexts. This study aimed to explore the user perspective on their experience of online peer support use with a focus on participation styles, motivations, barriers, and the evaluation of engagement. We conducted 25 semi-structured interviews (nine in Northern Ireland and 16 in China) with users who had experience of online peer support. The findings identified four themes as well as 22 subthemes and highlighted some considerations about the possible barriers and the different ways people may engage. Two of the subthemes primarily described benefits of online peer support, which have been identified as potentially used for promotion, prevention and intervention. Experiences of online mental health peer support were largely positive in Northern Ireland (NI) and China. This type of support may provide an important and relatively accessible component of mental health social work intervention.