Paul Wong

Paul is a clinical psychologist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong. He has been involving in suicide prevention research and mental health promotion and practice since 2003. His recent research projects include youth social withdrawal behavior, using animals as part of educational and psychological interventions, youth positive development of local and non-Chinese young people, and family care giving for people with psychological issues. His main research theme aims to promote social inclusion in our society and has published about 90 academic articles and book chapters. He is also Fellows of the Hong Kong Psychological Society and the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association. He is the Programme Director of the Master of Social Science (Counselling). He teaches courses on mental health related topics, communication and counselling skills, and research methods. He is keen to supervise PhD students who have interests in youth development, human-animal interactions, and hikikomori.

Publications

• Ngai J.T.K., Yu R.W.M., Chau K.K.Y., Wong P.W.C. (2021) Effectiveness of a school-based programme of animal-assisted humane education in Hong Kong for the promotion of social and emotional learning: A quasi-experimental pilot study. PLoS ONE 16(3): e0249033. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249033
• Zhu, S., Lee, P., & Wong, P. (2021). Investigating prolonged social withdrawal behaviour as a risk factor for self-harm and suicidal behaviours. BJPsych Open, 7(3), E90. doi:10.1192/bjo.2021.47
• Zhu, S., Zhuang, Y., Lee, P., Li, J. C. M., & Wong, P. W. (2021). The changes of suicidal ideation status among young people in Hong Kong during COVID-19: A longitudinal survey. Journal of Affective Disorders.
• Wong, P. W., Lam, Y., Lau, J. S., & Fok, H. (2020). The resilience of social service providers and families of children with autism or development delays during the COVID-19 pandemic—A community case ctudy in Hong Kong. Frontiers in psychiatry, 11
• Liu, L. L., Li, T. M., & Wong, P. W. (2021). Discovering socially withdrawn youth in Shanghai through the eyes of social workers: a mixed-methods study. Journal of Social Work, 21(3), 435-455.

Externally funded research

• 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 by Special Public Policy Research Fund, HKD235,358, PI
• 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, PI, HKD4,579,432, by Donation from Keswick Foundation
• JC A-Connect: Jockey Club Autism Support Network (Phase II) – The adaptation and evaluation of the WHO- Caregiver Skills Training Porgramme, PI, HKD47,220,000, by JC Charities Trust
• JC JoyAge: Jockey Club Holistic Support Project for Elderly Mental Wellness (Phase 2), Co-I, HKD5,936,000, by JC Charities Trust
• The long term impact of diverse parental migration experiences on youth transition to adulthood: A case study from Southeast Asia, Co-I, HKD1,262,336, by GRF
• E2Power: Engagement and empowerment of communities through social capital development, Co-I, HKD7,000,000, by Research Impact Fund
• Community-based Youth Mental Wellness Hubs, Co-I, HKD119,150,000, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust

Key Community Services

• Fellow of the Hong Kong Psychological Society
• Fellow of the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association
• Council Member of the Hong Kong Psychological Society.
• Consultant of the Joyful Mental Health Foundation, Hong Kong.
• Psychological Consultant of the Samaritans Multilingual, Hong Kong.