Mental Health across generations in Hong Kong: Boomer to Gen Z
(This post includes excerpts from a 2024 study done by Shue Yan University, described here.)
Hong Kong Shue Yan University’s Mrs. Dorothy Koo and Dr. Ti Hua Koo Centre for Interdisciplinary Evidence-Based Practice and Research, in collaboration with four other institutions, has unveiled the inaugural report of a comprehensive longitudinal study investigating the mental well-being and resilience of Hong Kong citizens spanning four generations. Entitled “The Mental Health and Resilience of Four Generations of Hong Kong Citizens: Responses to Adversity and Trauma,” this study illuminates the mental health challenges encountered by various age cohorts, with a specific emphasis on the younger generation.
Key Findings: Generational Mental Health and Trauma
The study surveyed 10,136 individuals aged 17 to 78, between 2023 and 2024, examining mental health symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as exposure to traumatic events. Participants were divided into four generational groups: Baby Boomers (ages 60–74 in this study), Gen X (ages 44–59), Gen Y (ages 28–43), and Gen Z (ages 17–27 in this study). The findings reveal significant generational differences:
Gen Z emerged as the most vulnerable group, with 22.8% reporting stress, 30.5% reporting anxiety, and 22.3% reporting depression. The report suggests that Gen Z are 1.74 times more likely to report anxiety symptoms and 1.41 times more likely to report depression symptoms compared to other generations.
Differences across generations were lowest for Stress symptoms, and the largest difference were shown in Anxiety symptoms.
(Images from the presentation can be found here.)
Trauma and Its Impact on Mental Health
The report also attempted to identify the link between trauma and mental health, with categories of trauma such as serious traffic accident, physical violence, serious injuries, childhood violence. Their findings reveal that:
Those who reported facing traumatic experiences reported higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety.
Notably, while Gen Z reported fewer traumatic experiences than other generations, for Gen Z respondents who experienced trauma within the past year, 56.5% reported anxiety symptoms and 44.7% reported depression symptoms, the highest rates among all generation groups.
In the past year, 12% of Baby Boomers and 9.4% of Gen Z reported experiencing physical violence, highlighting significant concerns for these populations.
The Role of Resilience in Mitigating Mental Health Challenges
The study identified four key factors that can mitigate the impact of trauma: individual resilience, emotional regulation, family resilience, and a positive life outlook.
Overall, those who had higher emotional regulation reported fewer signs of depression and anxiety symptoms.
Gen Z reported particularly low scores in emotional regulation (63.6) and positive life outlook (65.1) compared to other generations.
(Images from the presentation can be found here.)
Implications
While Gen Z exhibited a higher prevalence of emotional distress, this phenomenon is not exclusive to the current generation of youth. Previous studies conducted in other regions worldwide have consistently demonstrated a trend of the latest generation of youth presenting more emotional distress compared to previous generations (ex. 1950’s to 1980’s, 1950’s to 1980’s over a 25-year period, 1930’s to 2007’s). Scholars have attributed these generational differences to societal factors such as increased urbanization, economic slowdown, and reduced social connections. Alternatively, personal factors like rising divorce rates, unemployment, and the influence of social media and technology have also been considered. Furthermore, it is plausible that advancements in psychological assessment tools and education over successive generations have contributed to growing awareness of, and self-awareness among, younger generations, leading to more transparent portrayals of emotional distress across different eras.
Yet, none of these reasons, nor the recurring patterns observed over the decades, diminishes the societal responsibility to safeguard the younger generation. Rather, the increasing awareness and sensitivity to this issue should prompt more timely and appropriate care for individuals grappling with severe emotional distress. The connection between trauma experiences and emotional distress, coupled with the heightened distress experienced due to limited resilience resources, underscores the ongoing imperative to identify and address the impact of societal or individual events on personal well-being. Finally, the ongoing trend of younger generations exhibiting comparatively higher levels of emotional distress also implies potential similar effects for those currently younger than 17, who were not included in this study but nonetheless face various societal pressures.
How Evidence-Based Therapies Can Help
The findings from this study highlight the urgent need for effective mental health interventions, particularly for Gen Z and other vulnerable populations who have experienced trauma. Evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), utilized by trained mental health professionals, can play a pivotal role in addressing the mental health challenges identified.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is particularly effective for individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms. CBT helps individuals identify and reframe negative thought patterns, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and build emotional regulation skills. Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) can strengthen emotional resilience by helping individuals process and make sense of their emotions and relationships, particularly in the context of trauma and adversity. EFIT can be especially beneficial for those who have experienced significant trauma, such as violence or loss, as it creates a safe space to explore and heal emotional wounds. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) offers a unique approach by encouraging individuals to accept their emotions and thoughts rather than fighting them, while committing to actions aligned with their values. ACT can help individuals across all generations, particularly Gen Z, develop a more positive life outlook and build psychological flexibility.
If you are curious about how counselling could help you or someone you know, reach out to us at compassionatemindshk@gmail.com, or learn more about our counsellor here.
