A Person-Centered Approach: Exploring Social Support Network and Mental Health Among Shoebox House Residents in Hong Kong
Author(s)
Yanghua Huang, PhD1, Crystal Ying Chan, PhD1, Flora Cheuk Wing Lam, MSc1, Joyce Ho Yi Chan, MSc1, Essa Yingxu Chen, BSc1, Edwin Shun Kit Chung, MSN1, Leticia Lok Tung Wong, BSc1, Henry Ho Fai Sin, MSW1, Eliza LY Wong, PhD2.
1The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, China.
1The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, China.
OBJECTIVES: In Hong Kong, around 215,700 individuals live in subdivided units (SDU), which are often cramped, with a median floor area of merely 6m2 per person. SDU residents typically experience a heightened risk of mental health issues. Perceived social support is crucial for positive mental health outcomes, and understanding person-centered configurations of support networks is essential for targeted prevention and intervention strategies. However, person-centered research on social support profiles and their mental health associations among SDU residents is limited. This study aims to investigate perceived social support profiles of SDU residents in Hong Kong and examines how these profiles differ in their associations with SDU residents’ mental health outcomes.
METHODS: A territory-wide cohort of 1,194 residents aged 18 and older from SDU completed questionnaires assessing their perceived social support from family, friends, and significant others (MSPSS). The survey also measured mental health outcomes, including loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21), along with demographic information.
RESULTS: Latent profile analysis identified six social support profiles: All-around supported residents (32.2%), familial-supported residents (4.5%), balanced support residents (23.7%), moderately supported residents (17.1%), struggling support residents (11.1%), and isolated residents (11.5%). All-around supported residents achieved optimal outcomes for loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress, while isolated residents reported suboptimal outcomes. Interestingly, familial-supported residents, who perceived high family support but low support from friends and significant others, demonstrated similarly good mental health outcomes as those of all-around supported residents.
CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the importance of perceived social support in shaping mental health outcomes among SDU residents. The six identified social support profiles indicate a need for public health interventions tailored to the specific challenges faced by each subgroup, with an emphasis on person-centered care. Notably, enhancing family support could serve as an effective public health strategy to improve mental health outcomes in this population.
METHODS: A territory-wide cohort of 1,194 residents aged 18 and older from SDU completed questionnaires assessing their perceived social support from family, friends, and significant others (MSPSS). The survey also measured mental health outcomes, including loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21), along with demographic information.
RESULTS: Latent profile analysis identified six social support profiles: All-around supported residents (32.2%), familial-supported residents (4.5%), balanced support residents (23.7%), moderately supported residents (17.1%), struggling support residents (11.1%), and isolated residents (11.5%). All-around supported residents achieved optimal outcomes for loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress, while isolated residents reported suboptimal outcomes. Interestingly, familial-supported residents, who perceived high family support but low support from friends and significant others, demonstrated similarly good mental health outcomes as those of all-around supported residents.
CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the importance of perceived social support in shaping mental health outcomes among SDU residents. The six identified social support profiles indicate a need for public health interventions tailored to the specific challenges faced by each subgroup, with an emphasis on person-centered care. Notably, enhancing family support could serve as an effective public health strategy to improve mental health outcomes in this population.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH4
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Mental Health (including addition)