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Hong Kong Shue Yan University (HKSYU) Center for Social Work Research and Practice was established in 2015, aspiring to collaborate with industry partners to conduct research that enhance the industry's understanding of social issues and develop quality services for the community. HKSYU is a self-financing university without direct subsidies from the HKSAR Government to the Center. In the last couple of years, the Center has implemented 11 research and training projects, jointly organizing with local and overseas universities. Two of them adopted the interdisciplinary approach, collaborating with health and nursing disciplines. Using the extended case method, the Center was found to be aligned with the principles of evidence-based practice and research-mindedness in social work. Moreover, the Center normally adopted the "Translational form of collaboration," coproducing research projects with industry partners. Upon reflection, the Center should maximize its involvement with social work practitioners to promote research-mindedness in the practice environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examined the cross-cultural validity of nonviolent communication (NVC) behaviors as measured using the Nonviolent Communication Behaviors Scale (NVCBS) and explored their potential relationship with post-traumatic stress (PTS). Methods: We analyzed data from two samples (N = 412 Chinese adults and N = 283 English-speaking adults). Results: The best-fitting model of NVCBS was the proposed three-factor model ("self-connection," "authentic self-expression," and "empathic listening"), with configural, metric, and scalar invariance established across samples with different languages and sociocultural backgrounds. The NVCBS had satisfactory internal consistency and convergent validity and was negatively associated with PTS. The findings were replicated across the two samples. Discussion: NVC behaviors can be reliably and validly measured using the NVCBS. Given its brevity and measurement invariance across cultures, the NVCBS is a promising tool to facilitate future studies on NVC. Moreover, a lack of NVC behaviors may be a social-behavioral feature associated with PTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Confucian-influenced Asian societies, explicit end-of-life conversations are uncommon and family involvement in decision-making is crucial, which complicates the adoption of culturally sensitive advance care planning. Aim: To develop a consensus definition of advance care planning and provide recommendations for patient-centered and family-based initiatives in Asia. Design: A five-round Delphi study was performed. The rating of a definition and 84 recommendations developed based on systematic reviews was performed by experts with clinical or research expertise using a 7-point Likert scale. A median = 1 and an inter-quartile range = 0–1 were considered very strong agreement and very strong consensus, respectively. Setting/participants: The Delphi study was carried out by multidisciplinary experts on advance care planning in five Asian sectors (Hong Kong/Japan/Korea/Singapore/Taiwan). Results: Seventy-seven of 115 (67%) experts rated the statements. Advance care planning is defined as "a process that enables individuals to identify their values, to define goals and preferences for future medical treatment and care, to discuss these values, goals, and preferences with family and/or other closely related persons, and health-care providers, and to record and review these preferences if appropriate." Recommendations in the domains of considerations for a person-centered and family-based approach, as well as elements, roles and tasks, timing for initiative, policy and regulation, and evaluations received high levels of agreement and consensus. Conclusions: Our definition and recommendations can guide practice, education, research, and policy-making in advance care planning for Asian populations. Our findings will aid future research in crafting culturally sensitive advance care planning interventions, ensuring Asians receive value-aligned care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]