Kian Woon Kwok

The Singapore Mental Health Study: an overview of the methodology

The Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS) is a population‐based, cross‐sectional, epidemiological study on the Singapore multi‐ethnic adult population. This article provides an overview of the research design and methods used which took into consideration the unique characteristics of the country and its multi‐ethnic population. A face‐to‐face household survey of Singapore residents aged 18 years and above was undertaken from 2009 to 2010. The nationally representative probability sample was derived using a disproportionate stratified sampling method. In order to increase precision for subgroup estimations the design was stratified with over‐sampling of Malays, Indians and those aged 65 years and above. Respondents were assessed using the English, Chinese (computerized) and Malay (paper and pencil based) version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) 3.0 to establish lifetime and 12‐month prevalence of mental disorders, the current use of mental health services (both Western and traditional services), the treatment gaps and loss of role functioning. Copyright

From well-being to positive mental health: conceptualization and qualitative development of an instrument in Singapore

PurposeThere is no global definition of well-being. Cultural differences in the perception of well-being and the social and behavioral contexts further limit its measurement. Existing instruments are developed in Western societies that differ in their conceptualization of well-being from Asian populations. Moreover, very few instruments address the multidimensional construct of well-being.MethodsLiterature was reviewed to develop a priori conceptual framework of mental health and well-being. Concepts were identified based on specific criteria to guide the qualitative investigations. Finally, focus group discussions were conducted among adults belonging to the three major ethnicities in Singapore to identify salient domains of mental health and well-being.ResultsMental well-being is a multidimensional construct constituting of positive affect, satisfaction, and psychological functioning. While well-being explains the functional and psychological components, positive mental health is a combination of these and the skills required to achieve them. Although there is an overlap between the concepts identified from the literature and those identified in Singapore, certain differences existed, particularly with the relevance attributed to family interactions and religiosity or spirituality. Similar findings were observed across the three ethnic groups.ConclusionDomains identified can be used to develop a culturally relevant instrument in Singapore.

Remembering KUO Pao Kun (1939-2002)

Kuo Pao Kun died peacefully on 10 September 2002. His death at the age of 63 concluded a stoic struggle with serious illness over the previous year. It also ended prematurely an extraordinary artistic and intellectual lifework — which for four decades enriched the lives of many in Singapore, the Asian region and beyond. Following Pao Kun’s death, there has been an outpouring of grief; many across the region have recounted their fond memories of a loving and well-loved dramatist, thinker, teacher and friend. While mourning their personal loss — and the loss to the region and to world theater — intellectuals have also paid tribute to his work and articulated the uniqueness and richness of his legacy. Many of the early tributes have been collected in a bilingual (Chinese and English) volume, which was published in time for the Singapore commemoration of the hundredth day of his passing on 18 December 2002.1 To be sure, Pao Kun’s work has been increasingly recognized both nationally and internationally since the mid-1980s with the production and publication of a series of significant plays.2 The critical literature on his contributions to theatre has also grown, especially writings on various stages of his artistic development as a dramatist.3 However, a significant portion of his oeuvre in either Chinese or English remains unpublished or untranslated, especially his early plays and his later social commentaries. To date, there has been no single full-length biographical study of Kuo Pao Kun or critical evaluation of his artistic and intellectual work as a whole, situating the man and his core concerns within the historical context of Asia in the last halfcentury.4 The bibliographical, biographical and critical work that should be done will be of great value to theatre practitioners, scholars, students, and those who have followed — or have yet to discover — Pao Kun’s lifework.5 This is not the place to offer a personal reminiscence of the man or attempt a proper analysis of his work; either will do little justice to the multifaceted and complex nature of the subject matter. Instead, it may be useful to draw a general picture of Kuo Pao Kun’s life and work, recapitulate some major developments and key concerns and contributions, and recapture something of the tenor of his personality or the spirit of his creativity — as far as possible, too, by recalling his own words. To begin with, this is how Pao Kun wrote about the trajectory of his life in his foreword to his English-language collection of plays, Images at the Margins:

A Psychosocial Approach to Understanding Underground Spaces

With a growing need for usable land in urban areas, subterranean development has been gaining attention. While construction of large underground complexes is not a new concept, our understanding of various socio-cultural aspects of staying underground is still at a premature stage. With projected emergence of underground built environments, future populations may spend much more of their working, transit, and recreational time in underground spaces. Therefore, it is essential to understand the challenges and advantages that such environments have to improve the future welfare of users of underground spaces. The current paper discusses various psycho-social aspects of underground spaces, the impact they can have on the culture shared among the occupants, and possible solutions to overcome some of these challenges.

Disavowing liberalism: recuperating socialist practices within global capitalism

ABSTRACTIn Liberalism Disavowed, Chua Beng Huat builds on his earlier work on Singapore as a “communitarian democracy” and analyzes three institutions that work coherently to buttress the legitimacy of the ruling People’s Action Party: first, the public housing program that requires the nationalization of land; second, the state capitalism that is profit-driven, market-oriented, professionally managed, and resistant to corruption; and third, the “state multiracialism” that governs an ethnically diverse population. Chua rejects the idea that Singapore’s success rests on authoritarianism and free-market capitalism, as much it has necessitated political repression and outward-oriented economic policies. The three institutions have roots in the Party’s socialist beginnings, shaping the Singapore system indelibly, and they are likely to sustain over generations. Singapore’s disavowal of liberalism is significant in light of the crisis of the Western liberal-democratic order and the rise of right-wing populist ...ABSTRACT In Liberalism Disavowed, Chua Beng Huat builds on his earlier work on Singapore as a “communitarian democracy” and analyzes three institutions that work coherently to buttress the legitimacy of the ruling People’s Action Party: first, the public housing program that requires the nationalization of land; second, the state capitalism that is profit-driven, market-oriented, professionally managed, and resistant to corruption; and third, the “state multiracialism” that governs an ethnically diverse population. Chua rejects the idea that Singapore’s success rests on authoritarianism and free-market capitalism, as much it has necessitated political repression and outward-oriented economic policies. The three institutions have roots in the Party’s socialist beginnings, shaping the Singapore system indelibly, and they are likely to sustain over generations. Singapore’s disavowal of liberalism is significant in light of the crisis of the Western liberal-democratic order and the rise of right-wing populist nationalism, as well as the political developments in East and Southeast Asia. Hence, its workings and contradictions, and the larger question of recuperating socialist practices within global capitalism, need to be critically evaluated. A salient concern is whether the critique of the liberal conception of the self also entails the avowal of an alternative conception of freedom.

An In-Depth Analysis of Workers’ Attitudes Towards an Underground Facility in USA with a Focus on Breaks and Breakrooms

With the increase in urbanization and industrialization and the ever-increasing problem of space, sustainable solutions such as underground work places are on the rise. However, considering the huge investments required to make such spaces a success, in-depth studies regarding various aspects of underground workplaces (UW) need to be made. One such factor that determines this success is breakrooms. Though several studies have identified breakrooms to be a major factor in employee health and satisfaction, this hasn’t been explored in the context of UW.

Digging Deep: The Effect of Design on the Social Behavior and Attitudes of People Working in Underground Workplaces in Europe

With the cities of the world grappling with the ever-increasing challenge of land scarcity, sustainable solutions such as Underground Workplaces (UW) have been getting renewed interest. However, considering the hefty investments that will go into building UW and since the success of this solution relies on the wellbeing of the people who are to occupy it, there is a need to examine existing UW from a human factor point of view. In this paper, we present an analysis of how design factors in UW affect the attitudes and social behavior of employees and how these perceptions and attitudes towards the workplace vary across different work types. According to our analysis organic elements, art, architecture and lighting affect social behavior and attitudes. These factors can be manipulated according to the type of work and environment in a way that is in line with company values. The paper also attempts to create a framework for how the significance of the work environment varies with the type of work and workplaces.

Underground Workspaces: A Human Factors Approach

With increasing population density in urban areas, underground space use in these urban centres is also on the rise. This can be in the form of more traditional underground (UG) facilities, such as water treatment plants and subway stations, but also more diversified uses such as underground offices and data centres. As these relatively novel underground workspaces are constructed, we need to take a human centric approach to ensure that the workers are happy and healthy. When designing any space, it is important to consider the relationships between the environmental, architectural characteristics and behavior and wellbeing. This is crucial in underground developments, as the initial cost of developing an underground space is significantly higher (at least in the short term) than aboveground and would have to be offset by a longer building life. Previous studies show negative attitudes towards working underground and hint at possible psychological and health complaints. Major themes include lighting and circadian rhythms, metabolic changes and claustrophobia. However, these studies are over thirty years old and mainly concentrate on self-report measures. To respond to this challenge, we have systematically examined the relationship between underground spaces and human performance in a 4 year research program. Using mixed methods such as psychophysiological measurements, cognitive tests and interviews, we examine the architectural and engineering choices that could impact or mitigate specific issues related to underground work environment.

Attention and Vigilance

Many previous studies have examined the effect of working environment on job performance. However, these are usually site-specific experiments examining office workers, concentrating on self-report measures and peer assessments. An area of particular interest is whether computerised tests could be used to identify deficits in performance and associate these with specific environmental problems.