Sheying Chen

Economic Reform and Social Change in China: Past, Present, and Future of the Economic State

Chinas socioeconomic crisis before 1978 and its success over the past two decades can be viewed as a zigzag process of politicization and depoliticization of the “economic state.” By summarizing the Chinese experience, this article shows the importance of a specific pattern of general public policy (GPP) in determining the nature of a policy system. Chinas economic and “serialized” reforms since 1978 are reviewed in order to illuminate the current situation and future direction of the nation. The changes have undermined the economic state by creating a trend of “de-economicization” in the Chinese government. If economic reform and social change are to continue smoothly, another “transfer” of state emphasis to more balanced development is required.

A new model of Social Support in Bereavement (SSB): An empirical investigation with a Chinese sample

ABSTRACT Bereavement can be an extremely stressful experience while the protective effect of social support is expected to facilitate the adjustment after loss. The ingredients or elements of social support as illustrated by a new model of Social Support in Bereavement (SSB), however, requires empirical evidence. Who might be the most effective providers of social support in bereavement has also been understudied, particularly within specific cultural contexts. The present study uses both qualitative and quantitative analyses to explore these two important issues among bereaved Chinese families and individuals. The results show that three major types of social support described by the SSB model were frequently acknowledged by the participants in this study. Aside from relevant books, family and friends were the primary sources of social support who in turn received support from their workplaces. Helping professionals turned out to be the least significant source of social support in the Chinese cultural context. Differences by gender, age, and bereavement time were also found. The findings render empirical evidence to the conceptual model of Social Support in Bereavement and also offer culturally relevant guidance for providing effective support to the bereaved.

FACTORS RELATED TO SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS IN GUAM

The risk and protective factors related to suicidal ideation among college students in Guam remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to identify the rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt, and explore the risk and protective factors of suicidal ideation among college students in Guam. A total of 207 college students at the University of Guam were surveyed in 2009. The rate of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts was 10.2% and 8.2%. respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, previous suicide attempts, shorter period of living in Guam, high scores on cultural difference and negative affect, and low scores on family meaning were identified as independent predictors of suicidal ideation. These risk and protective factors for suicidal ideation among college students, including stress and social support, should be considered in planning campus suicide prevention programs.

Introduction: Gender, Ethnicity, Labor, and the Environment as Social Issues and Public Policy Challenges

This chapter begins with a general description of social issues and problems in China. Then, emphasizing the role of a general public policy in understanding such issues and policy challenges, we revisit the conceptual framework of an economic state in contrast to the changing (and confusing) welfare state in comparative social policy research. We highlight a historical viewpoint to show how and why social issues have been perceived and dealt with so differently during different periods of national development (and setback). An opening opportunity window is emerging for the study of social policy in China as it has never been so valued since the founding of the economic state in 1949 due to escalating politicization followed by a turn of extreme economicization after 1978. This provides a framework for assessing social issues and problems in China. So, thirdly, we illustrate how the volume has described and theorized the four fundamental and profound social problems regarding gender, ethnic, and labor relations as well as environmental protection. With a comprehensive understanding of these problems, we see better what the public policy challenges are, and how public policymaking processes should be reformed.