Session 10

Advancing Mental Health Through Multi-Method Innovation

Moderator: Dr. Wen Xu (Assistant Professor, City University of Macau, China)

10.1  Multimodal Emotion Early Assessment System Structuring Based on Adenoid Hypertrophy Out-patient Clinics Dialogues

Huiping Luo¹, Zheyu Zhang2, Haotian Liu3, Hui Fa4

¹The Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; ²Beijing Institute of Technology, China; ³Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, China; 4Faculty of Health and Wellness, City University of Macau, China

Abstract

Introduction: The diagnosis and treatment of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) are often complicated by peri-procedural anxiety, leading to non-compliance and "white coat syndrome." Based on the principle that familiarity fosters cooperation, we developed "Oneiro," an AI-enhanced therapeutic system grounded in theories of Embodied Interaction and Narrative Psychology. Crucially, the synergy between AI and design lies in "operationalizing" empathy: Generative AI (AIGC) serves not merely as a content producer but as a dynamic mediator that translates the child’s physical reality into a narrative form. By analyzing visual attributes to generate a "mirrored" avatar, it bridges the physical-digital divide to foster immediate trust. This study evaluates Oneiro's feasibility in utilizing generative narratives and tangible interactions to reframe the medical procedures, thereby improving patient adherence and reducing distress.

Materials and Methods: The Oneiro system, co-developed by a technical university and a specialized tertiary medical center, employs a multimodal framework combining AIGC and IoT. The intervention follows a three-phase embodied therapeutic model designed to address specific psychological needs:

Pre-Procedural Trust Establishment (Empathy & Belonging): Utilizing computer vision to analyze the child's visual attributes (e.g., clothing style and color), AIGC generates a personalized "mirrored" digital avatar. This visual alignment bridges the digital-physical divide, fostering immediate empathy and a sense of belonging.

Intra-Procedural Support (Companionship & Courage): The avatar provides real-time accompaniment via a mobile interface. By integrating narrative guidance with rhythmic auditory stimulation, the system offers constant companionship to alleviate isolation and foster courage during distressing procedures.

Tangible Reinforcement (Achievement & Adherence): A post-visit token economy rewards patients with NFC-enabled physical collectibles. This interaction fosters a sense of achievement and encourages long-term adherence by creating anticipation for collecting new digital assets during future follow-up visits.

A randomized pilot study was conducted with 13 pediatric OSA patients (aged 4–12). Patients were randomized to the Oneiro intervention group or a control group receiving standard nursing care. Anxiety levels were assessed using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (m-YPAS), and qualitative feedback was collected.

Results: Quantitative: The intervention group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in anxiety scores on the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (m-YPAS) compared to controls (Mean: 28 ± 5 vs. Control: 39 ± 7; p < 0.05). Qualitative: Patients exhibited enhanced narrative coherence, effectively reframing the medical procedures as shared adventures. This psychological shift was evidenced by spontaneous verbalizations, such as one patient noting, "My rabbit friend came with me," indicating successful emotional transference. Adherence: The tangible-digital feedback loop led to a significant improvement in motivation for follow-up visits and long-term engagement.

Conclusions: This preliminary pilot study demonstrates that emotionally resonant, multimodal systems like Oneiro can effectively improve the experience of pediatric patients. By transforming medical procedures into gamified narratives, Oneiro not only reduces peri-procedural anxiety but also provides a promising framework for long-term adherence management. This study highlights the potential of integrating AIGC and IoT to support comprehensive, human-centric care in pediatric chronic conditions.

O10.2  A Study on the Psychosocial Needs and Mental Health Social Work Service Model of Inpatients with Mental Disorders: An Empirical Analysis Based on Chaoyang No.3 Hospital

Ting Zhao¹

¹Peking University, Beijing, China

Abstract

This study focuses on inpatients with mental disorders in Beijing Chaoyang No.3 Hospital, and examines the professional functions of mental health social work in hospitalization rehabilitation, social support reconstruction, stigma intervention and discharge preparation. A mixed-methods approach is adopted, including scale assessment, semi-structured interviews, participant observation and process evaluation of case/group work. It systematically describes the psychosocial needs, social support status and service gaps of inpatients. Under the frameworks of ecosystem theory, strengths perspective and recovery-oriented practice, it analyzes the effects of social work intervention on emotional adjustment, family function, social skills and rehabilitation motivation. The study further develops an integrated service model of “medical-social collaboration, family participation and peer support” suitable for psychiatric inpatient settings, and puts forward suggestions on workflow optimization, staffing, cross-sector cooperation and policy linkage. The findings aim to provide empirical evidence and practical solutions for improving hospital mental health services, restoring patients’ social functioning and facilitating community rehabilitation referral, so as to promote the localization and standardization of mental health social work in China.

O10.3  Unpacking Heterogeneity in Smartphone Addiction Among Urban Chinese Older Adults: A Machine Learning Analysis

Yue Song¹, Sheng Chen¹, *Chien-Chung Huang²

¹School of Public Administration, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, China; ²School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, USA

 Abstract

Background and Purpose: Smartphone addiction among older adults in urban China is often oversimplified by linear models. Grounded in Social Capital Theory, this study utilizes machine learning to explore distinct Social Capital Compensation versus Enhancement mechanisms, addressing nonlinear etiologies and latent heterogeneity within the addicted population.

Methods: A survey of 2,275 older adults in Guangzhou was analyzed. We compared five supervised learning models (Logistic Regression, SVM, Decision Tree, Random Forest, and XGBoost) to predict addiction (MPAI). XGBoost with cost-sensitive learning was selected for its superior performance. SHAP values were used to interpret nonlinear relationships, followed by K-means clustering to identify addiction typologies.

Results: XGBoost achieved the highest predictive performance (Accuracy = 0.8549, AUC = 0.8686). SHAP analysis identified Social Participation, Depression, and Family Support as top predictors, revealing nonlinear dynamics where high support can paradoxically increase risk. Clustering revealed two distinct patterns: "Socially Active" Type (n=277): Predominantly "young-old" adults (60s) driven by social enhancement and active engagement. "Isolated Depressed" Type (n=403): Predominantly "old-old" adults (70s+) driven by compensation for loneliness and low social capital.

Conclusions and Implications: Smartphone addiction in later life stems from divergent pathways, challenging "one-size-fits-all" governance. Interventions must be tailored: prioritizing mental health support and offline reconnection for the Isolated Depressed group, while focusing on digital literacy and boundary-setting for the Socially Active group.

O10.4  An Interventional Study on Five-Elements Aromatherapy based on "Scent Awareness Mindfulness Life model"

Li Shen¹

¹Nanjing Five Seasons Health Technology Co., Ltd., Jiangsu, China

Abstract

Background and Purpose: This study aims to examine an innovative mind-body intervention program. The program is centered on the "Scent Awareness Mindfulness Life Model," a framework that integrates the olfactory psychology of aromatherapy with the concept of extrasensory perception (ESP) and is grounded in the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Five Elements pattern differentiation. It seeks to provide a personalized pathway to mind-body balance for individuals seeking natural therapies. The core research question focuses on exploring how the Five-Elements aromatherapy intervention based on the "Scent Awareness Mindfulness Life Model" alleviate participants' psychosomatic imbalance symptoms and effectively enhance their extrasensory perception capacity and overall aesthetic experience of life?

Methods: The study employed a mixed-methods design. Fifty participants were selected via random sampling to undergo an 8-week intervention. The protocol, following the standard procedures of the "Five-Elements Aromatherapy Room," utilized the "Scent Awareness Mindfulness Life Model" for guidance based on individual Five Elements pattern differentiation, focusing on developing synesthetic experience from olfaction to heightened awareness. The Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and a self-developed questionnaire were administered pre- and post-intervention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all participants post-intervention. Data analysis involved paired-sample t-tests and thematic analysis.

Results: Quantitative data revealed that participants' post-intervention scores on the anxiety, depression, and somatization subscales of the SCL-90 decreased significantly (p < .01), while scores on the MAAS and the aesthetic life questionnaire increased significantly (p < .01). Qualitative analysis identified three main themes: fragrance as a medium for triggering synesthetic imagery and emotional transformation; mindfulness practice as a bridge to deepening extrasensory perceptual experience; and the intervention ultimately fostering participants' aesthetic awareness of daily life and self-care capacity.

Conclusion and Implications: This study demonstrates that the aromatherapy intervention based on the "Scent Awareness Mindfulness Life Model" and Five Elements pattern differentiation can effectively alleviate participants' psychosomatic imbalance symptoms, expand perceptual dimensions, and enhance the aesthetic experience of life. It provides an integrated model with cultural depth and operational practicality for the fields of expressive therapy and health promotion. Future research could expand the sample size and explore its long-term efficacy in specific populations.

O10.5  Mapping "Empowerment" in Mental Health Interventions: A Scoping Review of Definitions, Theoretical Frameworks, and Core Components

*Yihan LI¹, Qinqiu Jiang¹, Donghang Zhang¹

¹Faculty of Health and Wellness, City University of Macau, Macau, China

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Empowerment has become a foundational concept in mental health social work, yet its definitional boundaries, theoretical underpinnings, and operationalization in intervention practice remain inconsistent across the literature. This inconsistence limits the development of coherent, evidence-informed empowerment-based practice. This scoping review aims to systematically map: (1) how empowerment is defined and operationalized in mental health intervention research; and (2) what core components and multilevel structures characterize empowerment-oriented interventions across diverse populations.

Methods: Following the PRISMA 2020 extension for scoping reviews, four electronic databases were searched (Web of Science, PubMed, Academic Search Ultimate, and SocINDEX with Full Text) for publications from 2006 to 2026. Eligibility criteria required studies to: (1) employ empowerment as a core conceptual framework, (2) target a group of people with mental health problems, and (3) provide sufficient definitional or operational detail. After removing 1,316 duplicates and screening 2,584 records, 178 full-text reports were assessed, yielding a final sample of 48 studies. Data were extracted and synthesized through thematic analysis and systematic content analysis, with study designs ranging from RCTs and quasi-experimental studies to qualitative, mixed-methods, and theoretical papers.

Results: Five definitional orientations were identified: psychological state, capacity-building process, sociopolitical power, iterative goal-directed process, and relational/dialogical empowerment; yet approximately 70% of studies did not provide a priori definition. Cross-study synthesis revealed five shared conceptual elements: perceived control and self-determination, self-efficacy, agency and proactivity, process orientation, and social embeddedness. Notably, empowerment functioned simultaneously as both an intervention process and a desired outcome in the majority of studies, yet this dual role was rarely made explicit. Although all studies addressed the psychological level, only 58% deliberately integrated two or more levels, suggesting that multi-level empowerment practice remains underrealized in the field. Ten core intervention components were identified, with skill building (79%), psychoeducation (73%), and safe environment establishment (63%) most prevalent, and critical consciousness raising (21%) and participatory co-creation (25%) less common but indicative of deeper empowerment practice.

Conclusion and Implications: Empowerment-oriented mental health interventions share a dual conceptual core, intrapsychic self-efficacy and structural power transformation, yet this duality is inadequately theorized and rarely reflected in measurement practices. For social work education and practice, findings underscore the need to move beyond skill-based or psychoeducational framings toward multi-level models that explicitly engage power relations, cultural context, and collective action. Critical consciousness raising and participatory co-creation, though underutilized, represent the most distinctively social work-aligned components. Standardized yet culturally responsive measurement frameworks, and greater attention to the process–outcome duality of empowerment, are identified as priority directions for future research and curriculum development in social work education.