Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a Body-Mind-Spirit empowerment group for divorced Chinese women in Hong Kong. Method: A pretest and posttest comparison was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the group intervention by comparing perceived level of stress and sense of empowerment among 67 divorced women participants. Results: Compared to data obtained before intervention, the participants reported significant changes in their perceived level of stress and sense of empowerment after five group sessions. Conclusion: The effectiveness of the empowerment group for divorced Chinese women was supported by the findings.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Beatrice, D. K.
(1979). Divorce: Problems, goals, and growth facilitation. Social Casework, 60, 157-165.
2.
Bond, M. H.
(Ed.). (1986). The social psychology of Chinese people. Hong Kong: Oxford University Press.
3.
Boys’
and Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong, Advocacy Group. (1995). Survey report on comprehensive social security assistance scheme families’ situation. Hong Kong: Author.
4.
Caritas—Hong Kong
. (1997). Special features on services on extra-marital affairs and marriage enrichment: From remedy to prevention. Hong Kong: Author.
5.
Casarjian, R.
(1992). Forgiveness: A bold choice for a peaceful heart. New York: Bantam.
6.
Census and Statistics Department
. (2000). Hong Kong annual digest of statistics 2000 edition. Hong Kong: Author.
7.
Chan, C.L.W.
, & Chung, M.M.L. (2000). An interaction Body-Mind-Spirit health model: Women and health from a gender and culture sensitive perspective. In C.L.W. Chan, Y. Chan, & M.M.L. Chung (Eds.), Women, sex and reproductive health training manual (pp. 4-11). Resource Paper of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Serial No. 41, in Chinese).
8.
Chiu, H.K.T.
, & Kwan, R.W.H. (1997). Decision on remarriage—Research report on preliminary study of remarried families and remarriage considerations of single parents in Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Christian Family Service Centre.
9.
Flanigan, B.
(1992). Forgiving the unforgivable: Overcoming the bitter legacy of intimate wounds. New York: Collier.
10.
Gray, C.
(1996). When therapy is not in the client’s best interest: Adapting clinical interventions to the stages of divorce. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 26, 117-128.
11.
Guttmann, J.
(1993). Divorce in psychosocial perspective: Theory and research. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
12.
International Social Service Hong Kong Branch
. (1997). A study on the Chinese new immigrants in Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Author.
13.
Law, C. K.
, Chan, C.C.L., Young, K., Ko, L. P., Wong, Y. C., Mehrani, T., Cheng, K. C., & Li, W. L. (1994). The contemporary Hong Kong families in transition. Monographs of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong(Serial No. 21).
14.
Law, C. K.
, & Hong Kong Family Welfare Society. (1991). Needs of single parent families: A comparative study. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Family Welfare Society.
15.
Leick, N.
, & Davidsen-Nielsen, M. (1991). Healing pain: Attachment, loss and grief therapy. London: Routledge.
16.
Leung, L. C.
(1993). Patterns of health and illness amongst lone mothers in Hong Kong. Hong Kong: City Polytechnic of Hong Kong.
17.
Lo, Y. F.
, Chan, Y., Chan, C., Hung, S. L., Wong, F. L., & Tsang, K. H. (1998). Empowerment training handbook for divorced women. Resource Paper of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong(Serial No. 33, in Chinese).
18.
Marris, P.
(1986). Loss and change. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
19.
Simon, S. B.
, & Simon, S. (1990). Forgiveness: How to make peace with your past and get on with your life. New York: Warner.
20.
Tedeschi, R. G.
, Park, C. L., & Calhoun, L. G. (Eds.). (1998). Posttraumatic growth: Positive changes in the aftermath of crisis. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
21.
Lee, M. T.
, & Hung, L. G. (1998). Tuesday profile: Divorce path. [Documentary]. Hong Kong: Television Broadcasts Limited.
22.
Wan, Y. F. (1993). Family functioning after divorce-separation. Unpublished master’s thesis, The University of Hong Kong.
23.
Yeung, K. C. (1996). The dynamics of interparental conflict and adolescent’s behavior problems. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, The University of Hong Kong.
24.
Young, P. H.
(1985). A report on single parent families in Hong Kong. Hong Kong: The University of Hong Kong.
