There are more than 57,000 children with special educational needs (SEN) in Hong Kong. Subject to multiple aspects of stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., school closures, disruptions of daily routines), parents of children with SEN are at-risk of poorer psychological well-being. Studies have suggested that perceived resource loss in different aspects due to COVID-19, coping resources (e.g.,family communication), and coping strategies are associated with psychological outcomes among Western parents of children with SEN; relevant local studies are limited. Guided by the Conservation of Resource Theory, the factors associated with psychological distress among Hong Kong parents of children with SEN shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. 150 Hong Kong parents of children with SEN were recruited between February-March 2023 from online support group forums to complete a cross-sectional survey measuring their sociodemographic variables and the abovementioned psychosocial variables. Controlled for covariates, hierarchical regression results showed that higher perceived loss in future control (β=.28, p<.01), more self-blaming coping (β=.26, p<.001), less efficient family communication (β= -.27, p<.001), and less acceptance coping (β= -.18, p.05) were associated with higher psychological distress. This study identified the important contributors to psychological distress among parents of children with SEN in Hong Kong. Psychosocial interventions helping parents to reflect on resource loss due to COVID-19, training their skills in coping with stressors and effective family communication could promote their psychological adjustments in difficult pandemic situations.

Authors:
Nelson C. Y. Yeung, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Natalie S. N. Ng, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Nelson Yeung is currently an associate professor at the Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

Bookmark