Kam Weng Boey

Cross-validation of a short form of the CES-D in Chinese elderly

To establish the reliability and validity of a 10‐item short form of the CES‐D (CESD‐10).

Self-rated economic condition and the health of elderly persons in Hong Kong

Studies have documented that health and income are important variables affecting the quality of life in old age. However, there is little knowledge about whether perceived financial sufficiency affects the health of elderly persons. Recent research has documented that in addition to material and behavioural determinants, psychosocial pathways also have an influence on health inequalities. This is the first paper to examine the relation between self-rated economic condition (measured with a single item question) and reported health conditions (i.e., somatic complaints, diagnosed physical diseases, functional health (Activities of Daily Living), self-rated health, and mental health status (General Health Questionnaire-30 [GHQ-30]) among elderly persons in Hong Kong. The respondents of the study were persons aged 65 and over residing in public housing estates in the Southern District of Hong Kong Island. Four hundred and fifty respondents were interviewed in 1995 by means of a structured questionnaire. The study found that although it did not record the actual income levels of the respondents, the subjective measure vividly demonstrated the health differentials among the elderly respondents. Multiple regression analyses suggested that self-rated economic condition was a significant predictor of the number of somatic complaints and physical illnesses reported, as well as of functional health, self-rated health, and mental health status (controlling for socio-demographic variables). However, the measure explained a higher proportion of variance in models related to psychological health than those related to physical health. The findings substantiated the role of psychosocial processes in understanding perceived health and illness and health inequalities in particular.

Help-seeking preference of college students in urban China after the implementation of the "open-door" policy.

A sample of 466 college students (228 males, 238 females) in urban China completed a questionnaire to indicate their help-seeking preferences with respect to 8 types of problem. The results indicated that our subjects, particularly male students, preferred to rely on their own in resolving their problems, although this self-reliant tendency was less obvious for problems of future employment and severe psychological distress. When help was sought, the tendency to rely on parents was found to be stronger among females than males. Male students were more likely than their female counterparts to seek help from friends and psychiatric consultation. Nevertheless, there was still great reluctance among the college students to use mental health services, particularly psychiatric consultation. Lack of credibility of the professionals was a barrier more negative than stigmatization which prevented students from seeking psychiatric consultation. Moral rather than psychosocial attribution of psychiatric illness was most predictive of the tendency to use mental health services. Findings inconsistent with those reported in other Chinese communities are discussed.A sample of 466 college students (228 males, 238 females) in urban China completed a questionnaire to indicate their help-seeking preferences with respect to 8 types of problem. The results indicated that our subjects, particularly male students, preferred to rely on their own in resolving their problems, although this self-reliant tendency was less obvious for problems of future employment and severe psychological distress. When help was sought, the tendency to rely on parents was found to be stronger among females than males. Male students were more likely than their female counterparts to seek help from friends and psychiatric consultation. Nevertheless, there was still great reluctance among the college students to use mental health services, particularly psychiatric consultation. Lack of credibility of the professionals was a barrier more negative than stigmatization which prevented students from seeking psychiatric consultation. Moral rather than psychosocial attribution of psychiatric illness was most predictive of the tendency to use mental health services. Findings inconsistent with those reported in other Chinese communities are discussed.

Coping and family relationships in stress resistance: a study of job satisfaction of nurses in Singapore

This study examined the role of coping strategies and family relationships in mitigating the negative effect of work stress on nurses. The findings indicated that nurses who adapted to work stress with high job satisfaction were more inclined to adopt approach coping methods (problem orientation, ability enhancement, and change of perspective) than those who reported low job satisfaction under high work stress. The stress-resistant nurses were also distinguished by a less frequent use of defensive or avoidance coping in handling of their emotional reactions to stress. They perceived greater family support than did the distressed nurses. Implications of the findings and limitation of the study were discussed.

The Use of GDS-15 Among the Older Adults in Beijing

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the GDS-15 among a sample of older adults in Beijing. A cross-sectional and correlational design was adopted. Through a stratified sampling procedure, 511 older adults were interviewed, using a standardized questionnaire. A second interview was then conducted on 48 older adults to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the GDS-15. Results of the analysis indicated that the reliability of the GDS-15 in terms of internal consistency (Cronbach α = .80) and test-retest reliability (r = .73) was satisfactory. Concurrent validity of the GDS-15 was demonstrated by its differential relationships with negative and positive affect. Significant relationships of the GDS-15 with life satisfaction, self-rated health, somatic symptoms, and social support also provided indirect evidence for the construct validity of the measurement.

Coping, Social Support, and Depressive Symptoms of Older Adults with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract This study examined the effects of coping and social support on the adaptation to Type II diabetes mellitus of elderly Chinese patients. The age of the subjects (N=200) ranged from 60 to 92 years (mean = 70.96, SD=5.84). The duration of illness since its first detection ranged from half a year to 36 years (mean = 9.14, SD=6.95). Data were collected in face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire. The results indicated that the patients did not perceive diabetes as severely threatening to their daily activities. Compared with a normal sample of elderly people, these diabetic elderly patients did not exhibit a higher level of depressive symptoms as measured by GDS-15.Concealment of feelings was most significantly associated with depressive symptoms. General social support appeared to be more beneficial than diabetic-specific support. Support from friends played a more significant role in the adaptation to diabetes mellitus than support from family network.

A cross-validation study of nurses’ attitudes and commitment to organ donation in Hong Kong

This study examined the attitudes and commitment to posthumous organ donation among a group of nurses (N=314) in a teaching hospital in Hong Kong. Attitude was operationally defined by a self-report measure of favorable or unfavorable feelings and beliefs about organ donation, whereas commitment was defined by having signed a donor card. Consistent with findings reported in the West, nurses who exhibited favorable attitudes towards organ donation were of greater proportion than those who had signed a donor card. Younger and unmarried nurses were more likely to commit to posthumous organ donation. More than half (55%) of the nurses were undecided about commitment to organ donation, but most of them were likely to sign a donor card. Principal component analysis confirmed the conceptual structure of the Organ Donation Attitude Scale developed by Parisi and Katz (Health Psychol. 5 (1986) 565-580). Reliability of the factor scores (Humanitarian and moral conviction, Fears of bodily mutilation, and Fears of medical neglect) was satisfactory (Cronbach alpha ranged from 0.80 to 0.86). Fears of bodily mutilation were most significantly related to unwillingness to commit to organ donation. Implications of the findings for nursing education are discussed and suggestions for future research made.

Institutional context and stress appraisal: The experience of life insurance agents in Singapore

This paper examines the experience of work stress and its psychological consequences among Singapores life insurance agents in the context of the institutional arrangements of the life insurance industry. Results showed that our insurance agents generally experienced a low level of work stress, probably due to the cushioning effects of a supportive work environment of the industry. The most stress was found to be derived from work demands, and the least stress from interpersonal relationships at the workplace. Work demands were also found to contribute to the overall experience of work stress. However, such stress did not deter them from having a satisfactory work life nor did it result in mental ill-health. Rather, job satisfaction and mental health were associated with emotional strains caused by professionalism. The professional expectation for working independently may predispose the agents to self-isolation and loneliness while trying to hide their weaknesses and keep their problems to themselves. These feelings were aggravated by the generally low level of acceptance of the insurance profession by Singapore society.

Determinants of Depressive Symptoms Among Elderly Chinese Living Alone

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to identify determinants of depressive symptoms among elderly Chinese people living alone in Hong Kong. The respondents were 1,106 people aged 60 years or older from a cross-sectional survey of a representative community sample of the elderly population in Hong Kong. Of these respondents, 105 lived alone, and data analysis was performed on this sample in the current study. Bivariate correlation indicated that depressive symptoms were associated with age, education, variables related to physical health, variables related to social support, frequency of exercise, and financial strain. Multiple regression analysis revealed that elderly people living alone who had poorer self-rated health, more IADL, less frequent contact with relatives, and higher levels of financial strain, reported more depressive symptoms.

The effectiveness of a cardiac rehabilitation program on self-efficacy and exercise tolerance.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of graded physical exercise on self-efficacy and exercise tolerance among a group of cardiac patients (N = 43). These patients were aged from 41 years to 82 years (mean age = 63.5 years, SD = 10.0 years). Results of the study show that efficacy of physical activity was significantly associated with exercise tolerance. After a 3-month rehabilitation with graded physical exercise, both efficacy of activity and exercise tolerance were significantly enhanced. The enhancement was relatively independent of patients’ gender, age, education, and diagnostic category. Limitations of the study are discussed and future research suggested.