The Hong Kong Journal of Social Work

Food is one of the physiological needs that have an immediate impact on healthy aging. However, the persistent poverty problem in Hong Kong has increasingly made it difficult for low-income older persons to meet their basic needs. This paper examines to what extent poor older persons suffer from food insecurity and how their food insecurity is related to the different types of resources they have. Based on the data collected through a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews, the study found that about 20% of low-income older persons experienced food insecurity, and male, older seniors, and those in a larger household with lower socio-economic status were particularly vulnerable. Among the resources that older people can utilize, public assistance and social services were found to be more conducive to food security than social capital. The implementation of a food voucher scheme and the facilitation of food distribution and social eating are suggested.

This study explores the challenges faced by the older adults during the COVID-19-induced lockdown periods in Gweru and Mutare, Zimbabwe’s third and fourth largest cities, respectively. Seventeen men and women above the age of 60 were interviewed following all COVID-19 protocols during the period April to August 2021. Semi-structured interview guides were used to gather data and Tesch’s (1990) method of thematic analysis was used to make sense of the data. Findings indicate that the older adults faced new challenges as a result of the strict lockdown and that the pandemic exacerbated the challenges that the elderly were facing. Intersectionality of challenges was also evident from the older people’s descriptions. A number of stressors were related to the pandemic restrictions, financial issues, health challenges, social challenges, and challenges of everyday living. Some participants reported mental health challenges and symptoms related to anxiety and depression. The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique psychological, economic, and social challenges to older persons in Zimbabwe. To curb such challenges in the future, there is a need to prioritize older adults during pandemic outbreaks and disasters. Adequate Universal pensions could assist in dealing with the economic challenges faced by older adults in Zimbabwe. There is a need to raise awareness and formulate structured programs on the well-being of older adults. Further research is required to map the extent of the psychological and socio-economic challenges faced by older adults in Zimbabwe.

Aphasia is an acquired language disorder caused by damage in a specific area of the brain that controls language use and understanding. This retroactive report aimed to summarize the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lived experience of people with aphasia (PWA) and caregivers. Their perceptions of the quality and effectiveness of these services were compared with service providers (speech therapists). About half of the PWA received speech-and-language therapy during phase 1 of COVID-19 (first half of 2020), but this issue of missing therapy sessions improved in phase 2 (the third and fourth waves of infection between July 2020 and October 2021). The pandemic reduced PWA’s social interactions and increased negative emotions in PWA and caregivers. Most speech therapists only commenced telepractice after the first COVID-19 outbreak, but in-person sessions resumed in phase 2. While most service receivers were in favor of teletherapy, therapists identified limitations and recommended suggestions for future implementation.

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictors of quality of life (QOL) of women with breast cancer in Taiwan. A cross-sectional study assessed the quality of life of 394 women with breast cancer. Path models were used to test the direct and indirect effects of depression, anxiety, sleep quality and demographic factors on the four QOL domains. Mean age of the participants was 53.53 ± 7.82 years. The results of the path analysis showed that depression was the key predictor with direct effects on all four QOL domains from -0.248 to -0.580. Sleep quality was found to have direct effects from -0.171 to -0.278 on three QOL domains. Anxiety predicted the physical QOL directly (-0.249). Anxiety also indirectly predicted the physical and psychological QOLs through sleep quality (-0.088 and -0.054), respectively. As for the demographic factors, age had a negative direct effect (-0.125) on the physical QOL domain and economic status directly predicted the environmental QOL domain (0.225). Education had slight indirect effects of 0.108 and 0.090, respectively, on the physical and psychological QOL domains. The empirically validated causal model suggested that a multidimensional approach may be needed to improve the QOL of women with breast cancer.

By discussing the logic of Abraham Flexner’s reasoning of the question of whether social work is a profession, this paper provides a critical analysis of Flexner’s argumentation and his criteria of a profession in particular. Methodologically, Stephen E. Toulmin’s theory of argumentation was applied. The study showed that Flexner might not have given enough space to the diverse nature of professions but built his argumentation on the basis of a universal definition of the criteria of a profession. For this part, his one-dimensional theorems can be found to be doubtful. In spite of this, Flexner’s argumentation provides relevant reasoning from which the endeavors to develop social work as an intellectual system, profession, and discipline benefit significantly. This paper presents an argumentation analysis as a philosophical qualitative method applicable to qualitative social work research.

This paper provides an exploration of the ways in which partnerships between universities and social work agencies can deliver a research-based approach for students during their placement. The placement/practicum/field education has been recognized as the “signature” pedagogy of social work. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has forced practitioners and educators to explore different and creative ways of delivering learning outcomes during placements. This paper provides illustrative ways in which the research elements of placements can be enhanced.

本文透過歸納和分析60個男士接受單次諮詢服務的實務經驗和檢討結果，展示採用尋解介入模式的單次諮詢服務如何回應香港男士的特性和服務需求。筆者發現當服務的設計能具備性別敏感度時，不但能建立男士對使用社會服務的信心，並且能讓介入的成效更顯著，而單次諮詢服務的設計及尋解介入模式，可以很好回應帶有傳統男性氣質的當事人。從結果中看到，此服務用於男士個案工作的成效顯著，值得推廣。

欺凌是對兒童身心發展產生負面影響的重要社會問題，亟需有效的實踐干預來應對。本研究採用「計劃—行動—觀察—反思」的行動研究框架，基於社會情感理論將兒童反欺凌能力操作化，構建融入社會工作協作技巧、小組動力發展與社會情感學習模型的社會工作服務模式。研究發現，該模式能夠促使兒童在欺凌情境中習得社會情感五項核心能力，提升參與者的反欺凌能力，並且形成良好的品格與積極的心態，獲得支持自身成長的正向力量。