Reengaging Youth with Prolonged Social Withdrawal Behaviours in Hong Kong: Efficacy of an Intervention Programme Involving Human and Non-human Partners

Abstract

This study examined the efficacy of a multicomponent intervention program for reengaging youth with prolonged social withdrawal behaviors (YPSW) in Hong Kong. Highlighting the involvement of more approachable others encompassing human and non-human partners, the intervention program included case work, group work, and transitional support activities for re-connecting YPSW to community. It turned out that 125 participants, counting as 75% of all participants, who were not in education or employment before enrolling into the program, have managed to find a full-time (i.e. 28.8% of all participants) or part-time (11.2%) job, or resume schooling (35.2%) after going through the program. Significant pre-post changes were identified in terms of reduced socially withdrawn behaviors and social interaction anxiousness, and enhanced self-esteem and perceived self-employability. The paper discussed the implications for informing multi-component intervention work and research study for reengaging YPSWs accordingly.