Research Projects
Prediction of longitudinal mental health outcome in an epidemiological sample of youth in Hong Kong


Programme(s) to which this project applies:
☑ MPhil/PhD ☑ MRes[Med] ☒ URIS

Objective and Significance:

- To examine factors associated with long-term outcomes in a representative cohort of young people from the first household-based epidemioological study in Hong Kong

- To construct a model for predicting long-term outcomes both in the youth population and for constructing a personalised prediction tool

Research Plan and Methodology:

The Hong Kong Youth Epidemiological Study of Mental Health (HKYES) is to date the first large-scale household-based epidemiological study on youth mental health in Hong Kong (grant recipient and PI: Prof. Eric YH Chen).

In addition to determining prevalence of various psychiatric conditions in the youth population, the identification of markers that can indicate future disorder risk is imperative for early detection, prevention, and intervention work, especially on a population level. This is particularly so since the onset of mental disorders often peaks during the youth period.

The current project is designed with the aim to offer insights into factors that can help to predict future mental health risks and outcomes in the representative youth population, with domains ranging from clinical, functional, psychological, and psychosocial to standard neurocognitive. Various traditional and other statistical modelling techniques may be employed for the construction of a comprehensive prediction model. Such findings have important direct implications on future clinical and real-life practice and can offer further directions in future research.

Professor EYH Chen, Chair Professor, Department of Psychiatry

Biography
HKU Scholars Hub
Laboratory Homepage
ORCID
eyhchen@hku.hk

For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description.  Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:

  1. your CV,
  2. a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
  3. two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).

Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.

HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.  

HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information. 

Research @ Department of Psychiatry