Dr Stephen CHAN is currently an Assistant Professor of the School of Arts and Humanities at Tung Wah College. He joined Tung Wah College in Jan 2026. He is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and a Registered Psychologist in the Hong Kong Psychological Society.

Dr. Chan obtained his PhD in Psychology from the Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Before joining, he was experienced in teaching a wide range of psychology and research subjects. He has also been involved in different research projects pertaining to carer and aging population. His current research is mainly related to carer studies, positive psychological interventions and positive psychology in older adults.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Master of Applied Psychology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology, The Open University of Hong Kong

Capstone Project Supervision

Social Gerontology

Age Stereotypes

Positive Psychology (Psychological Capital, Amor Fati, Hope)

Social Participation

Positive Psychological Interventions

Mental and Subjective Well-being

Funded Projects (Selected):

PI, Shih Wing Ching Foundation, HKD 496,200, “Evaluation Study for the Support Programme for Persons with Dementia and Their Caregivers”, 2021– 2024.

PI, Caritas Jockey Club Resource and Support Centre for Carers, HKD 165,000, “The Evaluation Study for the Support Programme for Persons with Dementia and Their Caregivers (JCRSCC)”, 2022 – 2023.

Co-I, Institutional Theme-based Grant, HKD 4,539,496. “Supporting Informal Caregivers – Pioneering, Validating, Implementing, and Evaluating a Chinese Caregiving Planning Model in Hong Kong”, 2022 – 2025.

Co-I, Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service Choi Hung, HKD 223,111, “Evaluation Study on Meeting on the Rainbow: Virtual Social Club for the Socially Isolated Carer in the Community”, 2023 – 2025.

Co-I, Faculty Development Scheme, HKD 603,275, “Generative AI Driven Text-based Chatbot for Mental Health Screening”, 2025 – ongoing.

Co-I, Institutional Development Scheme, HKD 4,053,889. “Caregiving Research and Development Centre”, 2025 – ongoing.

Publications (Selected):

Cheung, H. N., Wong, C. C., Ho, W. S., & Chan, S. C. Y. (2026). Developing and validating a short version of the multidimensional depression scale in Asian adolescents sample using Rasch analysis. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-33250-w

Chan, S. C. Y.*, Lai, M. K. W., & Wong, C. C. (2025). Revisiting Social Participation in Hong Kong Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Social Sciences, 14(12), 729. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14120729

Chan, S. C. Y.*, Huang, Q. L., Tsang, A. P. L., Ho, W. S., Chan, R., Yeung, C., ... & Tsai, M. (2025). Online Single-Session Intervention to Foster Connection in Older Adults: Pilot Trial. Research on Social Work Practice, 10497315251404932. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731525140493

Chan, S. C. Y.*, Huang, Q. L., & Chang, E. C. (2025). Examining hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in emerging adults from Hong Kong: Does amor Fati account for well-being beyond the role of affectivity?. Acta Psychologica, 258, 105242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105242

Hu, H., Cheng, G. H. L., Chan, S. C. Y., Chong, E. S., Lu, P., & Cheung, H. N. (2025). The network structure of self-compassion in older adults with different productive engagement patterns. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 22321. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08157-1

Tsang, A. P. L., Lee, C. K., & Chan, S. C. Y. (2025). A cross-lagged panel analysis of social participation in the relationship between functional limitations and cognitive functioning: evidence from CHARLS. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 44(4), 551-560. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648241282756

Hung, L., Chan, S. C. Y., Ren, L. H., Ito, H., & Chakraborty, B. (2024). Using appreciative inquiry to empower international students to flourish in research. Journal of International Students, 14(5), 41-66. https://doi.org/10.32674/grzhy846

Chan, S. C. Y.*, Ng, C. W., & Huang, Q. L. (2024). The role of hope in depressive and anxiety symptoms in emerging and older adults: a network approach. Current Psychology, 43(41), 31906-31919. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06760-5

Chan, S. C.*, Huang, Q., Ho, W., Chan, R., Yeung, C., Wong, S., & Tsai, M. (2024). An Awareness, Courage, and Love online group intervention for Chinese older adults in the Post-Pandemic Era: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Healthcare, 12(21), 2158. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12212158

Chan, S. C. Y.*, & Huang, Q. L. (2024). The mediating role of self‐esteem in the relationship between hope and life satisfaction among university students during a global health crisis. Health Science Reports, 7(8), e2311. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.2311

Chan, S. C. Y.*, Fung, C. K., & Huang, Q. L. (2024). Positive emotions, hope, and life satisfaction in Chinese older adults: An application of broaden-and-build model. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 98(4), 452-468. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150231207999

*Corresponding author

Honours and Awards:

2022 Runner-up for Poster Presentaiton, The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem in the Relationship Between Hope and Subjective Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic, The EdUHK x HKPS Psychology Research Poster Conference 2022

Community/Professional Contributions (Selected):

Editorial board for BMC Psychology, Scientific Reports, PlosOne

Advisory Committee of 'The Opportunities for the Elderly People' (ACOEP)

Research Consultant for the Wuyi Association of Hong Kong