Arts Therapy and Alternative Approaches in Human Services

Introduction

In the recent decades, the use of arts and alternative interventions in human services flourish, with its effectiveness being documented in the literature of social work, psychology, behavioral health, rehabilitation, arts, and education. This research cluster investigates, integrates and applies multi-disciplinary knowledge, theories, and skills in human services. It aims to encourage the development of alternative psychosocial and spiritual interventions for enhancing holistic wellbeing in the community. The team involves academic and clinical professionals from a diversified training background to actualize the following visions:

  1. Fostering multidisciplinary research in various psychological and social-spiritual interventions in human services
  2. Integrating cutting-edge research evidence with theories and skills for promoting evidence-based and strength-based practices in human services
  3. Developing and educating students’ research mindset and professional practice in the fields of social work and healthcare with both existing and most updated academic resources
  4. Encouraging knowledge transfer and exchange activities among academics, practitioners, and community partners

Cluster Members

Member Training Specialties

Prof. HO T.H. Rainbow

Professor

 Expressive Arts Therapist, Arts Therapist, Dance Movement Therapist, Somatic Movement Therapist, Group Psychotherapist, Movement Analyst, Medical Technologist Expressive arts therapy, dance movement therapy, somatic movement therapy/education, movement observation and analysis, psychoneuroimmunology, counselling and psychotherapy, psycho-oncology

Prof. WONG W.C. Paul

Associate Professor

 Clinical Psychologist Suicidal behavior, youth positive development, and human-animal interactions

Prof. HUANG Yu-te

Assistant Professor

 Psychiatric Social Worker Youth and adolescent mental health, well-being among sexual minorities, cultural diversity, epistemological competence

Dr. WAN H.Y. Adrian

Post-doctoral Fellow

Social Worker, Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher, Certification in

Thanatology (Death, Dying and Bereavement)

 Mindfulness-based interventions, mindful self-compassion, psycho-oncology, holistic healthcare approach counseling, group therapy and professional training, psychological counseling

Funded research projects in the last five years (Selected)

Title Principal Investigator (PI) Funding Source Award Period
A Mentoring Program for Young Gay Men in Hong Kong: Does a Mentor’s Sexual Orientation Matter? Prof. HUANG Yu-te

Research Grant Council General Research Fund

(HK$849,505)

 01/2021-06/2023
Body and Mind As One: Body-Mind-Spirit Wellness Buddy (Ambassador Training) Project Prof. Rainbow Ho

Robert H.N. Ho Foundation Limited

(HK$505,284)

 05/2020- 04/2021
A Sequential Qualitative Study to Examine the Changes of Social Identity and Belongingness of the South Asian Young Ethnic Minority in Hong Kong during the 2019 Social Unrest Prof. WONG W.C. Paul Special Public Policy Research Fund (HK$235,358) 04/2020-10/2020
Research on exploring LGBTQ needs and help-seeking patterns Prof. HUANG Yu-te

Tung-Wah Group of Hospitals

(HK$373,379)

 04/2020-10/2021
JC JoyAge: Jockey Club Holistic Support Project for Elderly Mental Wellness (Phase 2) Prof. WONG W.C. Paul (Co-I) JC Charities Trust (HK$5,936,000) 01/2020-12/2024
Enhancing community empathy for and wellbeing of sexual minority youth through arts Prof. HUANG Yu-te (Co-I)

Interdisciplinary Knowledge Exchange (KE) Project Fund

(HK$100,000)

 07/2019-12/2020
Development of arts-based affirmative therapy for sexual minority youth Prof. HUANG Yu-te (Co-I)

HKU-UToronto Strategic Partnership Fund

(HK$100,000)

 07/2019-06/2020
A Community Engagement Project for Emotional Resilience and Personal Empowerment (Project CARE): A Strength-based, Holistic Healthcare Approach to Wellness Prof. Rainbow Ho

Knowledge Exchange Funding

(HK$99,500)

 07/2019-06/2020
The long term impact of diverse parental migration experiences on youth transition to adulthood: A case study from Southeast Asia Prof. WONG W.C. Paul (Co-I)

Research Grant Council General Research Fund

(HK$1,262,336)

 01/2019-06/2021
LGB young adults’ relational well-being: Before and after Taiwanese legalization of same-sex marriage Prof. HUANG Yu-te

Research Grant Council Early Career Scheme

(HK$491,768)

 01/2019-12/2020
Internalized homonegativity and the experiences of microaggression among lesbian, gay and bisexual young adults: A quantitative survey, grounded theory analysis and intervention study Prof. HUANG Yu-te (Co-I)

Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan

(NT$3,600,000)

 09/2018-08/2021
JC A-Connect: Jockey Club Autism Support Network (Phase II) Prof. WONG W.C. Paul JC Charities Trust (HK$47,220,000) 08/2018-07/2021
Mindfulness for Resilience Building in Clinical and Non-Clinical Staff Program at the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital Prof. Rainbow Ho The D.H.Chen Foundation (HK$1,348,204) 07/2018-06/2020
Holistic Healthcare Parents Support Program on Wellness Enhancement and Self-Care (HOPES) Prof. Rainbow Ho

Knowledge Exchange Funding

(HK$69,962)

 07/2018-06/2019
Promotion of empathy and prosocial behavior among P.2 to P.3 children through a six session humane education and social and emotional learning curriculum with trained dogs in Hong Kong Prof. WONG W.C. Paul Keswick Foundation (HK$4,579,432) 04/2018-03/2021
Development and pilot evaluation of culturally adapted affirmative cognitive-behaviour intervention for sexual minority young adults in Taiwan Prof. HUANG Yu-te

Seed Fund for Basic Research for New Staff, HKU

(HK$299,658)

 04/2018-07/2019
The Psycho-physiological & Social-Spiritual Effects of Expressive Arts-based Intervention on Young and Pre-elderly Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Study Prof. Rainbow Ho Research Grant Council General Research Fund (HK$781,300) 01/2018-12/2020
青少年犯罪違規及精神健康研究計劃 Prof. HUANG Yu-te (Co-I) Youth Federation (HK$449,500) 12/2017-10/2019
An Arts-based Empowerment Programme for School Children with Special Education Needs and Their Teachers (Collaborative work with Sovereign Art Foundation) Prof. Rainbow Ho

JC Charities Trust Fund

(HK$2,110,000)

 07/2017- 08/2020
Expressive Arts-based Intervention for Helping Community-Dwelling Depressed Elders Prof. Rainbow Ho

Keswick Foundation

(HK$2,803,938.70)

 05/2017- 04/2020
Empowering Community and Building Resilience for Adults Caregivers of the Elderly Prof. Rainbow Ho

Knowledge Exchange Funding

(HK$99,880)

 07/2016-06/2017
Starting from the Mind or the Body in Mind-Body Intervention? A Randomized Controlled Trial on Comparative Effectiveness of Mindfulness Meditation and Qigong on Psychophysiological Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer Patients Prof. Rainbow Ho

Research Grant Council General Research Fund

(HK$615,800)

 01/2016-12/2018
The Psychophysiological Effects of Dance movement-based Intervention on Elderly with Early Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Prof. Rainbow Ho Research Grant Council General Research Fund (HK$843,412) 01/2015-12/2017

Significant publications in recent 5 years (2015-2020)

Prof. HO T.H. Rainbow

  • Ho,T.H., Lo, H.H.M., Fong, T.C.T., Choi, C.W. (2020 in press). Effects of a Mindfulness-based Intervention on diurnal cortisol pattern in disadvantaged families: A randomized controlled trial. Psychoneuroendocrinology.
  • Lee, J.L.C. & Ho, T.H. (2020 in press). Exercise Spaces in Parks for Older Adults: A Qualitative Investigation. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity.
  • Fong, T.C.T. & Ho, R.T.H. (2020 in press). Mindfulness facets predict quality of life and sleep disturbance via physical and emotional distresses in Chinese cancer patients: A moderated mediation analysis. Psycho-oncology.
  • Ho, R.T.H., Chan, C.K.P., Fong, T.C.T., Lee, P.H.T., Lum, D.S.Y. & Suen, S.H. (2020) Effects of Expressive arts-based interventions on adults with intellectual disabilities: a stratified randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychology. 11:1286.
  • Ho, R.T.H., Fong, T.C.T., Yau, J.C.Y., Chan, W.C., Kwan, J.S.K., Chiu, P.K.C. & Lam, L.C.W. (2020). Diurnal cortisol slope mediates the association between affect and memory retrieval in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A path-analytical study. Frontiers Aging Neuroscience, 2020, 12:35.
  • Ho, R.T.H., Fong, T.C.T., Chan, W.C., Kwan, J.S.K., Chiu, P.K.C., Yau, J.C.Y. & Lam, L.C.W. (2019, in press). Psychophysiological effects of Dance Movement Therapy and physical exercise on older adults with mild dementia: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 75(3):560-570.
  • Fong, T.C.T., Ho, R.T.H. Yip, P.S.F. (2019). Effects of urbanization on metabolic syndrome via dietary intake and physical activity in Chinese adults: Multilevel mediation analysis with latent centering. Social Sciences & Medicine, 234:112372.
  • Ho, R.T.H., Fong, T.C.T., Sing, C.Y., Lee, P.H.T., Leung, A.B.K., Chung, K.S.M., Kwok, J.K.L. (2019).Managing behavioral and psychological symptoms in Chinese elderly with dementia via group-based music intervention: A cluster randomized controlled trial. Dementia: the international journal of social research and practice 18 (7-8): 2785-2798.
  • Ho, R.T.H., Fong, T.C.T., Hon, T., Chan, W.C., Kwan, J.S.K., Chiu, P.K.C. & Lam, L.C.W. (2019).Psychometric validation of Fuld Object Memory Evaluation in older adults with cognitive impairments. Aging and Mental Health, 23 (6): 711-717.
  • Ho, R.T.H., Fong, T.C.T. & Yip, P.S.F. (2018). Perceived stress moderates the effects of a randomized trial of dance movement therapy on diurnal cortisol slopes in breast cancer patients. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 87:119-126.
  • Ho, R.T.H., Potash, J.S., Ho, A.H.Y., Ho, V.F.L. & Chen, E.Y.H. (2017). Reducing Mental Illness Stigma and Fostering Empathic Citizenship: Community Arts Collaborative Approach. Social Work in Mental Health, 15 (4): 469-485.
  • Ho, R. T.H. Wan, A.H.Y., Chan, J.S.M., Ng, S.M., Chung, K.F., and Chan, C.L.W. (2017). Study protocol on comparative effectiveness of mindfulness meditation and qigong on psychophysiological outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 17:390.
  • Ho, R.T. H., Fong, T.C.T., Lo, P.H.Y., Ho, S. M.Y., Lee, P.W.H., Leung, P.P.Y., Spiegel D. & Chan, C.L.W., (2016). Randomized controlled trial of supportive-expressive group therapy and body-mind-spirit intervention for Chinese non-metastatic breast cancer patients. Supportive Care in Cancer. 24(12):4929-4937.
  • Ho, R.T.H., Fong, T.C.T., Wan, A.H.Y., Au-Yeung, F.S.W., Chen, W.Y.H. & Spiegel, D. (2016). Associations between diurnal cortisol patterns and lifestyle factors, psychotic symptoms, and neurological deficits: A longitudinal study on patients with chronic schizophrenia. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 81: 16-22.
  • Ho, R.T.H., Fong, T.C.T., Cheung, I.K.M., Yip, P.S.F. & Luk, M.Y. (2016). Effects of a short-term Dance Movement Therapy program on symptoms and stress in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 51:824-831.
  • Ho, R.T.H., Fong, T.C.T., Au-yeung F.S.W., Ng, Wan, A.H.Y., Ng, S.M., Chan, C.L.W. & Chen, E.Y.H. (2016). A randomized controlled trial on the psychophysiological effects of Tai-chi and exercise interventions on patients with chronic schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research, 171:42-49.

Prof. HUANG Yu-te

  • Huang, Y.-T.,Ma, Y. T., Craig, S. L., Wong, F. K. D., & Forth, M. W. (2020). How intersectional are mental health interventions for sexual minority people? A systematic review. LGBT Health, 7(5), 220-236.
  • Huang, Y-T.,  H., Ko, N.-Y. & Yen, C.-F. (2020). Perceived attitudes toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) issues and mental health among Taiwanese LGB adults: The mediating role of self-acceptance. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 49,1671-1682.
  • Huang, Y-T., Chan, C. H., & Cui, L. (2020). Filial piety, internalized homonegativity, and depressive symptoms among Taiwanese non-heterosexual men: A mediation analysis. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 90(3), 340-349.
  • Kwong, M.-K., Ho, R. T. H., &Huang, Y.-T. (2019). A creative journey to a meaningful live: An existential expressive arts group therapy for people living with HIV. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 63, 9-17.
  • Huang, Y-T. & Fang, L. (2019). Fewer but not weaker: Understanding the intersectional identities among Chinese immigrant young gay men in Toronto. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 89(1), 27-39.
  • Huang, Y-T., & Fang, L. (2016). Understanding depression from different paradigms: Toward an eclectic social work approach. British Journal of Social Work. 46(3), 756-772.

Prof. WONG W.C. Paul

  • Chui, C.H.K., Arat, G., Chan, K., & Wong, P. W. C. (2020). Growing Old as a Member of an Ethnic Minority in Hong Kong: Implications for an Inclusive Long-Term Care Policy Framework. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 39(5), 463-471.
  • Wong, J., Wan, M., Kroneman, L., Kato, T. A., Lo, T.W., Wong, P.W., & Chan, G.H. (2019). Hikikomori Phenomenon in East Asia: Regional Perspectives, Challenges, and Opportunities for Social Health Agencies. Frontiers in psychiatry, 10, 512.
  • Arat, G. Jordan, L. & Wong, P.W. (2019). Exploring the culturally specific factors of mental health in South Asian minority students in Hong Kong. European Journal of Social Work, 1-14.
  • Arat, G., & Wong, P. W. (2019). Examining the Association Between Resilience and Risk Behaviors Among South Asian Minority Students in Hong Kong: A Quantitative Study. Journal of Social Service Research, 45(3), 360-372.
  • Arat, G., Wong, P. W. (2018). Integrating resilience and positive youth development for the promotion of positive health behaviours among ethnic minorities: A conceptual framework. Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development, 1-14.

Dr. WAN H.Y. Adrian

  • Ho, R.T.H., Wan, A.H.Y., Chan, J.S.M., Ng, S.M., Chung, K.F., & Chan, C.L.W. (2017). Study protocol on comparative effectiveness of mindfulness meditation and qigong on psychophysiological outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 17(1),
  • Fong, T.C.T., Ho, R.T.H., Wan, A.H.Y., & Au-yeung, F.S.W., (2017). Psychiatric symptoms mediate the effects of neurological soft signs on functional outcomes in patients with chronic schizophrenia: A longitudinal path-analytic study, Psychiatry Research, 249, 152-158.
  • Ho, R.T.H., Fong, T.C.T., Wan, A.H.Y., Au-Yeung, F.S.W., Chen, E.Y.H., & Spiegel, D. (2016). Associations between diurnal cortisol patterns and lifestyle factors, psychotic symptoms, and neurological deficits: A longitudinal study on patients with chronic schizophrenia. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 81, 16-22.
  • Ho, R.T.H., Wan, A.H.Y., & Chan, C.K.P. (2016). Toward a holistic approach to spiritual healthcare for people with schizophrenia. Holistic Nursing Practice, 30(5), 269-271.
  • Ho, R.T.H., Fong, T.C.T., Wan, A.H.Y., Au-yeung, F.S.W., Wong, C.P.K., Ng, W.Y.H., Cheung, I.K.M., Lo, P.H.Y., Ng, S.M., Chan, C.L.W., & Chen, E. (2016). A randomized controlled trial on the psychophysiological effects of physical exercise and Tai-chi in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research 171(1-3), 42-49.