MHRC’s research reveals that over 10% Hong Kong people exhibit PTSD symptoms one year after the onset of the pandemic

With support from the Health and Medical Research Fund of the Food and Health Bureau, a research team led by Prof. David Shum, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing, Yeung Tsang Wing Yee and Tsang Wing Hing Professor in Neuropsychology, Chair Professor of Neuropsychology and Dean of Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at PolyU, conducted survey during the fourth wave of the pandemic and about one year after its onset. Among the respondents, 69% were aged between 18 and 59, and most of them were working adults. The survey found that (1) more than one in ten (12.4%) of the respondents had exhibited post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, indicating that they might have PTSD; and (2) being unemployed or having no personal income, and with lower educational attainment were associated with a higher chance having of PTSD symptoms.

Read more from: PolyU research reveals that over 10% Hong Kong people exhibit PTSD symptoms one year after the onset of the pandemic; Severity of symptoms is associated with time spent watching pandemic-related news | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Prof. Shum also elaborated the study results on an RTHK programme “HK2000” on 26 May and on an RTHK TV programme "Anti-pandemic News Express" on 4 June.  It’s estimated that up to 30-40% of citizens may suffer from PTSD due to Hong Kong’s fifth wave of pandemic. Despite the figure, Prof. Shum said people should not be overwhelmed if they found themselves having symptoms, but ought to seek help from professionals once symptoms begin to affect their daily lives for a period of time.

Online Review:

1. RTHK (26 May): https://polyu.me/33VwWBn (1:37:35 - 1:51:26)

2. RTHK TV (4 June): https://polyu.me/3OVSBiP (10:20 – 22:49)