Family conflict and support in Chinese contexts: implications for social work

Family is the basic unit where socialisation, protection, support and security among family members take place (Leung and Shek 2013). Based on Confucian thought, each family member is obligated to subordinate one’s personal interest and desire to develop a harmonious and prosperous family as a whole (Yeh and Yang 1997). Unfortunately, the traditional functions and roles of families are gradually being eroded (Leung and Shek 2018). Family solidarity and values are challenged. Divorce, family violence, child abuse and neglect have been increasing in recent decades, attracting the attention of family scholars, researchers, social workers and policymakers (Hu et al. 2020; Xia, Li, and Liu 2018). Indeed, families are still important for Chinese people to seek protection from external forces, nurture their offspring, and encourage mutual support among members. In this issue, five studies demonstrate the recent development of intervention programmes and measures to enhance better support for parents, investigate the importance of intergenerational support for self-rated health of older Chinese immigrants, as well as present the emerging concerns of sexual minorities in contemporary Chinese society. The study of Ngai, Au-Yueng, Tsui and Zhu examined the effectiveness of an attachment-based parenting programme in a sample of 69 Hong Kong parents whose children at the age between six to twelve. The participants have participated in a standardised tensession Love, Limits and Latitude (LLL) programme. Originated from the United States, the LLL programme is a parent educational programmes using attachment theory as the theoretical framework. Results showed that parents reduced their parental stress, reported fewer children’s problematic behaviour, and had a better relationship with other family members after participating in the programme. The programme was proved effective when applied in Chinese contexts. The adoption of an attachment-based parenting programme in Chinese culture was also discussed. The study conducted by Mao, Guo, Xu, Liu and Chi aimed to examine the mediating role of depressive symptoms on the relationship between intergenerational support and self-rated health among 236 older Chinese immigrants in the United States. The study is especially important for Chinese immigrants as they might experience loneliness and depression with losing social ties, which might increase their vulnerabilities when they get old. Results indicated that there was a direct effect on intergenerational support to one’s self-rated health and an indirect effect through the reduction of depressive symptoms. The study illustrates the importance of strengthening care and emotional support from adult children, which may enhance the positive well-being of older Chinese immigrants. Two studies in this issue address the social problems of domestic violence. The study conducted by Choi, Liu and Chan examined the help-seeking experience of Chinese women who use force against husbands in Hong Kong. To act against physical abuse, CHINA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK 2021, VOL. 14, NO. 1, 1–3 https://doi.org/10.1080/17525098.2021.1911061