Biography

Professor Xiaoyu Zhuang is a faculty member in the Department of Social Work at Hong Kong Baptist University. She earned her PhD in Applied Social Sciences from City University of Hong Kong and has been trained in psychology and social work in both Mainland China and Hong Kong. Dr. Zhuang has also gained working experience in both Mainland China and Hong Kong. Her research interests primarily focus on mental health issues in youth and families, prevention and early intervention in mental health, emotional resilience of diverse populations, and migration and psychological adaptation.

Professor Zhuang has secured several research grants from Mainland China to develop innovative early prevention interventions for adolescent depression, as well as to employ advanced data analytic approaches to explore the psychological adaptation of young people under cross-border migration. She has published her research findings in highly ranked academic journals such as Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, Child and Family Social Work, and Psychiatry Research.

Abstract

In Hong Kong, the number of children with special educational needs (SEN) is rising, with most diagnosed with autism, ADHD, or learning difficulties. Parents of these children face significantly higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety, which can negatively impact parenting and family relationships. Existing mental health interventions for Chinese parents of children with special educational needs are limited and do not adequately address their mental health needs. Despite the potential of ecological momentary interventions (EMI) to provide accessible, personalised support, research in this area is lacking. This presentation outlines the experience of developing an evidence-based culturally attuned sensor-supported EMI to improve parents’ emotional regulation and mental health for families with a child with special educational needs. Key challenges and lessons learned will be discussed.