Full-time Teaching Staff

Prof. Ngai Sek-yum, Steven

Specialty and Research Interests

My current research interests are in the areas of career and life development of disadvantaged youth, mutual aid and youth empowerment, and service learning and leadership development. In total, I have published over 200 articles on these areas, including 180 refereed publications in journals, books, and conference proceedings. Since 2000, I have conducted 40 research projects. Among them, five are funded by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong and another 29 commissioned by government bureaus/nongovernmental organizations in Hong Kong or Macao. Given my ongoing efforts and remarkable performance in teaching and research, I received CUHK Faculty of Social Science Exemplary Teaching Award in 2000, CUHK Research Excellence Award in 2011, and CUHK University Education Award in 2014.

Curriculum Vitae

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Selected Publications

• Ngai, S.S.Y., Cheung, C.K., Ng, Y.H., Lee, B.J., Dupéré, V., Wang, M., Chen, C., Li, Y., Zhou, Q., Wong, L.M., & Zhang, X. (2024). Pathways from school to work: A sequence analysis of non‐engaged youth. Journal of Adolescence, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12372
• Ngai, S.S.Y., Cheung, C.K., Zhou, Q., Zhang, J., Ng, Y.H., Yu, E.H.Y., Zhang, X., & Wong, L.M. (2024). Hope, career competency, and social well-being among non-engaged youth in Hong Kong: A longitudinal network analysis. Current Psychology, 43(10), 8947-8962. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05055-5
• Ngai, S.S.Y., Cheung, C.K., Mo, J.H., Wang, L., Ng, Y.H., & Wang, P.Q. (2023). Career interventions and social well-being among non-engaged youth: Examining the mediating effects of career competency. Children and Youth Services Review, 148, 106903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106903
• Ngai, S.S.Y., Cheung, C.K., Li, Y.J., Zhao, L.F., Jiang, S., Wang, L., & Tang, H.Y. (2022). Building program evaluation capacity of non-governmental organizations practitioners in Hong Kong. Research on Social Work Practice, 32, 434–447.
• Ngai, S.S.Y., Jiang, S., Cheung, C.K., Wang, L., & Tang, H.Y. (2021). Trust in mutual aid group members, self-management of chronic illness, and well-being among young patients with chronic illness in Hong Kong. Children and Youth Services Review, 130, 106240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106240
• Ngai, S.S.Y., Cheung, C.K., Ng, Y.H., Tang, H.Y., Ngai, H.L., & Wong, K.H.C. (2020). Development and validation of the chronic illness self-management (CISM) scale: Data from a young patient sample in Hong Kong. Children and Youth Services Review, 114, 105077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105077
• Ngai, S.S.Y., Cheung, C.K., & Ng, Y.H. (2018). Drug use history as a moderator of the effects of virtuous orientation on the realization of drug harm in youth. Children and Youth Services Review, 95, 1–11.
• Ngai, S.S.Y., Cheung, C.K., Xie, L., Ng, Y.H., Ngai, H.L., Liu, Y., & Ho, J.C.M. (2018). Psychometric properties of the Parental Bonding Instrument: Data from a Chinese adolescent sample in Hong Kong. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27, 2112–2124.
• Ngai, S.S.Y., Xie, L., Ng, Y.H., & Ngai, H.L. (2018). The effects of parenting behavior on prosocial behavior of Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Children and Youth Services Review, 87, 154–162.
• Ngai, S.S.Y., & Xie, L. (2018). Toward a validation of the Prosocial Tendencies Measure among Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Child Indicators Research, 11, 1281–1299.
• Ngai, S.S.Y., Cheung, C.K., & Yuan, R. (2016). Effects of vocational training on unemployed youths’ work motivation and work engagement: Mediating roles of training adequacy and self-actualization. Children and Youth Services Review, 63, 93-110.
• Ngai, S.S.Y., Cheung, C.K., Yuan, R., & Lin, S. (2016). Work motivation of unemployed youths: Moderating effects of financial dependence on parents. Children and Youth Services Review, 71, 157–165.

Selected Projects

• 2024 – 27 - Principal Investigator – “JC InnoPower Social Welfare Fellowship Impact Measurement” granted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust ($4,930,766)
• 2024 – 27 - Principal Investigator – “Jockey Club Talent Development Evaluation Framework” granted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust ($5,320,000)
• 2024 – 26 - Principal Investigator – “Relapse Prevention for Ex-Drug Youth Abusers to Achieve Meaningful Engagement” granted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust ($3,730,000)
• 2024–26 - Principal Investigator – “The Effects of Social Capital, Service Participation, and Self-Management on School-to-Work Developmental Outcomes among Young People with Chronic Disabling Health Conditions” granted by the Research Grants Council ($1,158,000)
• 2022-25 - Principal Investigator – “Jockey Club MEL Institute Project (Phase Two)” granted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (HK$12,080,000)
• 2020-25 - Principal Investigator – “Second Phase of Career and Life Adventure Planning for Youth (CLAP for Youth@JC): Fostering Sustainable Ecosystem to Smoothen the Transition from School to Productive Work and Fulfilling Life for All Youth” granted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust ($77,780,000)
• 2020-23 - Principal Investigator – “Building Capacity among Practitioners and Students of Social Work and Healthcare Professions for Anti-Drug Work with Young Adults, Pregnant Women/Mothers, and Sexual Minorities: An Integrated Humanistic and Cognitive-Behavioral Training Program Augmented by an Online Learning Platform” granted by the Beat Drugs Fund Association ($1,721,112)
• 2019-22 - Principal Investigator – “Jockey Club MEL Institute Project: Certificate Training cum Mentored Practicum Augmented by an e-Learning Knowledge Hub” granted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust ($13,303,372)
• 2018-20 - Principal Investigator – “Enhancing Competence in Anti-drug Work among Practitioners and Students of Social Work and Healthcare Professions: An Integrated Humanistic and Cognitive-Behavioral Training Program with Focus on High-risk Youth and Drug Rehabilitation Service Settings” granted by the Beat Drugs Fund Association ($946,910)
• 2017-20 - Principal Investigator – “Mutual Aid among Young People with Chronic Illness” granted by the Research Grants Council ($854,424)
• 2016-18 - Principal Investigator – “An Integrated Humanistic and Cognitive-Behavioural Training Program to Promote Effective and Sustained Anti-Drug Work among Practitioners and Students of Social Work and Healthcare Professions” granted by the Beat Drugs Fund Association ($817,650)
• 2016-17 - Principal Investigator – “Evaluation Study of Student Counselling Service in Macao” granted by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Macao SAR Government ($871,130)
• 2015-18 - Principal Investigator – “Research on Cyber Youth Outreach Project: Engaging Youth at Risk from Social Exclusion to Social Inclusion” granted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust ($1,170,000)

Teaching Award

• Faculty Exemplary Teaching Award (2000), Faculty of Social Science, CUHK
• University Education Award (2014), CUHK

Research Award

• Research Excellence Award (2011), CUHK