Recent News
Key findings from a newly published review article
Intolerance of Uncertainty, Aging, and Anxiety and Mental Health Concerns: A Scoping Review and Meta-analysis
Although intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is associated with negative outcomes, studies focusing on older adults are still emerging. Specifically, the relationship between IU and psychological health in this population remains unclear. Moreover, no review has focused on understanding the unique contributions of IU and aging to anxiety and mental health in older adults. This scoping review and meta-analysis addressed this gap and provided a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between IU, aging, and mental health. Among 45 studies reviewed, 37 were included in the meta-analysis using mixed effect analysis to examine the relationship between IU and age across adulthood. The remaining eight studies, along with seven selected from the meta-analysis, were included in the scoping review to evaluate the relationship between IU, anxiety, and mental health. Among these, 12 studies focused on late adulthood, two on overall adulthood, and one included both late and overall adulthood. Results of the meta-analysis revealed an overall significant age difference in IU throughout adulthood. Moreover, results of the scoping review indicated a direct correlation between IU and anxiety, and other psychological issues in elderly. These findings provide insights for future research and interventions aimed at reducing IU and improving mental health among older adults.
Yu, M. H. M., Cao, Y., Fung, S. S. Y., Kwan, G. S. Y., Tse, Z. C. K., & Shum, D. H. K. (2025). Intolerance of Uncertainty, Aging, and Anxiety and Mental Health Concerns: A Scoping Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 102975. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2025.102975
Full article available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887618525000118
Last updated date: 20 January 2025
Key findings from a newly published research article
Managing Uncertainty and Loneliness: Protective and Risk Factors Impacting on Older People’s Mental Health in Hong Kong
過去三年，新冠疫情的持續無情地衝擊著長者的精神及身體健康。為更好掌握長者精神健康的狀況並更好瞭解其中相關的影響因素，曹原博士携手香港路德會社會服務處共同制定了一項實踐研究，在深入瞭解孤獨感、對不確定性的容忍度，以及長者精神健康之間的關係之餘，還向讀者呈現了影響長者精神健康的常見保護因素及風險因素，期望為更好回應長者精神健康需要提供綫索。
在此次研究中，共有2258位長者在電話訪問中為我們提供了寶貴數據。量性分析發現孤獨感與精神狀況欠佳有直接關係，此外，通過影響個體對不確定性的容忍程度，孤獨感對長者的精神健康有間接負面影響。同時，質性分析則顯示，行動限制、擔心他人、病毒感染、未來難料、以及孤獨感是長者的五大主要壓力來源，而長者的愉悅感則主要來自於：親朋好友、樂天知命、興趣愛好、接觸自然、以及數字互動。
研究團隊希望上述發現可以成爲一綫同工協助長者建立並鞏固社交網絡，減少不確定性，並提升整體精神健康水平的參考和指引。
The research team is continuing collaboration with the NGO for more research on ageing (18 Jan 2025)
Cao, Y., Kwan, G. S. Y., Tse, Z. C. K., Chow, K. K. S., Kwan, D. K. S., Lam, W. W. Y., & Shum, D. H. K. (2024). Managing Uncertainty and Loneliness: Protective and Risk Factors Impacting on Older People’s Mental Health in Hong Kong. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2024.2423678
Full article available: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01634372.2024.2423678
Last updated date: 22 January 2025
Congratulations to Dr. Cao Y. Sally on Her APS Rising Star Award
The APS Rising Star designation is presented to outstanding APS members in the earliest stages of their research career post-PhD. Drawing its name from an Observer editorial series that featured exemplars of the exciting work being done by the field’s newest researchers, this designation recognizes researchers whose innovative work has already advanced the field and signals great potential for their continued contributions.
Individuals being considered for Rising Star designation are evaluated for their promise of excellence in research based on the following criteria:
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significant publications
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significant recognitions
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significant discoveries, methodological innovations, or theoretical or empirical contributions
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work with potentially broad impact
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commitment to diversity in science
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demonstrated independence from mentors
*For more information, please visit here.