Asian Social Work and Policy Review最新文献

Extensive literature exists on the physical health of the Japanese population whereas relatively little is known about their mental health. Moreover, most studies have assessed physical and mental health separately, and this further confounds the relationship between the two. Using the concept of health expectancy, this study investigated the trends in the relationship between physical and mental health among Japanese men and women aged 20 years or more between 2010 and 2022. Psychological distress, based on the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions, was used as an indicator of mental health. We employed Sullivan's method to estimate the length of life with or without distress of varying degrees. Our results showed substantial improvements in distress-free life expectancy for both genders during the study period. Younger people have gained more distress-free years than their older counterparts, placing older individuals, especially men, at an increased risk of psychological distress. These findings contribute to the literature on longevity in Japan by quantifying the role of mental health in the population's overall health. Given the recent increase in mental health problems, greater policy emphasis on the relationship between physical and mental health status is required.

Hebei, one of China's most populous provinces, is facing increasing pressure on its elderly care services due to a rapidly aging population. Home-Based Elderly Care (HBEC) has emerged as a potential solution to alleviate this pressure. However, this care model is significantly impacted by various external environmental changes. The study employed a literature analysis method, conducting a PEST analysis, to examine the environmental factors influencing the progress of HBEC in Hebei Province, China. The findings offer novel research perspectives to inform strategic development in the HBEC industry. The study identified 19 environmental factors, both favorable and adverse, shaping the development of HBEC in Hebei Province. Based on these findings, the study recommends integrating laws, regulations, and systems, clarifying government roles, optimizing funding structure, expanding service delivery channels, enhancing public awareness of elderly care, and broadening professional talent development pathways. These insights can be valuable for policymakers, educators, and researchers seeking to understand the challenges and opportunities in the field, ultimately improving the well-being of China's elderly population.

This study estimates the long-term effect of parenthood on labor market outcomes and explores the variations within this effect by gender and education. We use the event study method to track changes in a range of labor market outcomes from 3 years before to 8 years after the first birth, with a sample of 556 married women and 528 married men from the Korea Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS). We find that women experience an immediate drop in wages following birth, whereas men experience continuous wage growth even before birth. The decline in women's wages arises largely from their withdrawal from the labor market, while the increase in men's wages could be explained by a positive selection bias among fathers. In addition, mothers' wage trajectories do not vary significantly by education level, whereas other labor market outcomes show discernible trends. These patterns are the opposite of those observed for men. The findings indicate that severe gender inequality in the Korean labor market lowers the wages of mothers, regardless of their education, while the wages of fathers are more likely to be affected by education. Based on the findings, we make policy suggestions for improving the work-family balance for all genders.

The health and well-being of children can be achieved through access to clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene practices. The current study investigates the effect of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) on health outcomes using the multiple indicator cluster surveys (MICS) data. The household-level and district-level determinants of child health are analyzed using logistic regression models and multilevel logistic regression models. The results indicate that there are significant relationships between water availability, sanitation facilities, hygiene practices, and health outcomes. Access to clean water, an increase in sanitation facilities, and proper hygiene have a significant positive relationship with child health. Better access to clean water enhances children's well-being. The level of parental education, household head dynamics, and WASH indicators at the district level also have a significant relationship with child health. The bivariate Local Moran's I analysis of child health and WASH facilities shows positive spatial autocorrelation (0.441). It also identifies the districts with significant high–high and low–low clustering patterns. This study contributes to achieving SDGs 3 and 6 to develop policies, programs, and future-based solutions to promote the health and well-being of children in Punjab and other similar areas.

Voluntary social insurance is part of Vietnam's social security system, aimed at stabilizing the lives of laborers, ensuring their safety and lifelong quality of life. To motivate workers to engage in voluntary social insurance, it is necessary to have a thorough comprehension of the fundamental factors that influence their behavioral intentions. Accordingly, this current study expands the framework of behavioral reasoning theory to assess consumers' intentions to purchase social insurance. The authors suggest an expanded behavioral reasoning model that includes the cultural values of consumers, specifically collectivism and long-term orientation. The proposed model underwent testing through the utilization of structural equation modeling with a sample size of 518 individuals who expressed interest in voluntary social insurance in Vietnam. The findings of this study indicate that behavioral reasoning theory is suitable for explaining intentions to purchase voluntary social insurance, where behavioral intentions are influenced by “reasons for,” “reasons against,” and consumers' attitudes. Furthermore, the cultural values of consumers have an important effect on shaping their perceptions and attitudes towards voluntary social insurance. Therefore, this study has significant ramifications for individuals responsible for making decisions and creating policies who are interested in obtaining a more profound comprehension of consumer intentions about voluntary social insurance.

Generally, this study aims to scientifically evaluate the effectiveness of psychoeducation as an intervention for reducing depressive symptoms among parents around Kuala Lumpur. It also examines the relationship between the socio-demographic factors and the severity of depression among parents as well as the numerous factors associated with depression among the studied population. This study convoluted two phases of intervention which were pre and post, and for the intervention group, a modified version of the family module intervention was given to test the efficacy of the psychoeducation intervention. A total of 61 participants were recruited from four Peoples' Housing Project in Kuala Lumpur. Thirty of them were randomly assigned to the control group and another 31 were assigned to the intervention group. Based on the analysis, there was a mere difference between the mean score of depression and daily hassle due to parenting between both groups during the post-intervention. Overall findings clearly denote that the family module intervention is an effective intervention in reducing depressive symptoms and parenting daily hassles among the parents in two phases as well as improving mental health literacy among parents.

Globally, the COVID-19 epidemic had significantly influenced people's lives. In Vietnam, during the pandemic, we had implemented various safeguards to protect our lives. This article explores student's experiences in the COVID-19 epidemic in Binh Duong, Vietnam. Eight students were recruited, and they enrolled in the same social work class. By using photovoice as a participatory method, 13 images were collected and illustrated their lives during COVID-19. Research findings show that Vietnamese students faced many difficulties. These included Online learning experiences: Insufficient educational equipment; volunteer engagement for the community; memorable experiences when participants were in the “three on the spot”; increasing trauma in life; and returning to normal as a new life. This study sheds light on the multifaceted impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on student life, emphasizing the importance of adaptive learning strategies, support systems, and the value of resilience and community engagement in overcoming challenges.

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a pressing public health concern in India, leading to a rise in injury-related deaths, hospitalizations, and disabilities. India accounts for a significant portion of the world's fatal traffic accidents, with two-wheelers being involved in the majority of these accidents. The impact of non-fatal injuries on individuals extends beyond the bodily consequences of the injury and includes both the physical and psychological dimensions of the injury. The literature indicates the need for policy cascades and implementation framework for the prevention of road traffic injury. This study aimed to investigate the post-RTI experiences and challenges faced by college students who experienced road traffic injury during their college life by using a qualitative research approach in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India. The study found that college students who experienced RTIs faced a wide range of physical, emotional, and social difficulties. The study highlights the need for a more comprehensive and holistic approach to RTI prevention that takes into account the complex interplay of individual, environmental, and societal factors that contribute to RTIs. The study also underscores the urgent need to improve the quality and availability of healthcare and rehabilitation services for RTI survivors.

Due to limited access to affordable financial products and services, many people with disabilities experience social exclusion and struggle to secure their financial well-being. While microfinance has been widely used in Bangladesh for more than three decades as a tool to reduce poverty and empower people living in poverty, few people with disabilities have had access to microfinance services. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify the barriers and challenges that people with disabilities experience to access microfinance in Bangladesh. Drawing on a qualitative case study approach, the findings of a thematic analysis show that people with disabilities experience significant barriers in accessing microfinance such as stigma against people with disabilities, stringent credit conditions, negative staff attitudes, insufficient training, and the absence of an integrated approach. The research suggests that inclusive policies and their effective implementation are vital to ensure that people with disabilities have access to financial resources so that they could work to enjoy greater socio-economic independence and contribute equally to society with others.