Psychometric properties of the variants of the Chinese UCLA Loneliness Scales and their associations with mental health in adolescents.

Loneliness is a pervasive and distressing emotional experience that affects individuals of all ages and can have significant consequences for both physical and mental health. The UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS) is widely used to assess the subjective feelings of loneliness, but concerns have been raised about its structure and applicability in diverse cultural contexts. This study analysed the reliability and validity of the five Chinese versions of the UCLA-LS in a representative sample of 2,643 adolescents and young adults with Chinese as their first language in Hong Kong.

Impact of early negative symptom patterns on the long-term outcomes of patients with first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: A 12-year follow up study.

Given the strong prognostic value of early negative symptoms (NS), understanding their associations with long-term outcomes of schizophrenia is essential. The study examined early NS patterns in trajectory, severity and variability and their association with 12-year outcomes. NS in the first 36 months after onset and the symptomatology, cognitive function, and functioning at 12 years were examined in 330 patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Double stigma in mental health service use: Experience from ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.

Background: Ethnic minorities (EMs) typically underutilise mental health services (EMs) with issues that are not shared by the local population. Understanding the underlying perceived factors could help reduce their mental health disparities.

Aims: This is a qualitative study aiming to examine the barriers that prevent EMs from seeking mental health services in Hong Kong.

A multifaceted approach in promoting positive mental health culture in Hong Kong secondary schools: The Mindshift educational networking programme.

Aim: Many young people with mental health problems refuse to seek help because of stigma and leave the problem untreated. Previous research suggests that contact interventions with education could improve the stigma of mental illness in young people, thereby encouraging help-seeking in distress. The current study examined the effectiveness of a multifaceted programme, the Mindshift educational networking programme (MENP), in promoting a positive mental health culture in Hong Kong secondary schools.

The role of dopamine dysregulation and evidence for the transdiagnostic nature of elevated dopamine synthesis in psychosis: a positron emission tomography (PET) study comparing schizophrenia, delusional disorder, and other psychotic disorders.

There have been few studies performed to examine the pathophysiological differences between different types of psychosis, such as between delusional disorder (DD) and schizophrenia (SZ). Notably, despite the different clinical characteristics of DD and schizophrenia (SZ), antipsychotics are deemed equally effective pharmaceutical treatments for both conditions. In this context, dopamine dysregulation may be transdiagnostic of the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders such as DD and SZ.

Relationship between stressful life events, stigma and life satisfaction with the willingness of disclosure of psychotic illness: A community study in Hong Kong.

Aim: The preference of and potential barriers to disclosure of psychotic illness vary across cultures. Studying its patterns and correlates can guide the design of future culture-specific intervention and public education approaches to improve willingness to disclose and thereby reducing the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP).

Methods: A population-based, random telephone survey was conducted with a total of 1514 respondents in Hong Kong in January 2018.

Prevalence and correlates of antipsychotic polypharmacy in Hong Kong.

Background: Antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) remains a common practice despite inconclusive empirical evidence of additional efficacy and potential exacerbation of side effects. Previous studies suggest APP rate is notably high in East Asia. This paper aims to investigate the prevalence and correlates of APP in Hong Kong.

Medication adherence, knowledge about psychosis, and insight among patients with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between knowledge about psychosis, insight, and medication adherence among patients at an early stage of a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder. Eighty patients were recruited from a specialized outpatient clinic. Knowledge was assessed with the modified Knowledge About Schizophrenia Test (KAST).