Black Clouds and Silver Linings: Exploring the Psychosocial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Expatriates Living in Hong Kong

Judith Blaine

doi:doi:10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13

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Black Clouds and Silver Linings: Exploring the Psychosocial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Expatriates Living in Hong Kong

Judith Blaine

Published in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 1)

Received: 27 December 2021 Accepted: 14 January 2022 Published: 21 January 2022

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Abstract

Background: While global media, international and local health organisations, epidemiologists, and opinion makers disseminate regular updates on the spread and mortality of COVID-19, the psychosocial effect of the pandemic is often neglected. This is amplified for expatriates living outside their native country as stringent quarantine measures make travelling to their home countries prohibitive, if not impossible, in terms of time and money. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on expatriates living in Hong Kong. Method: An exploratory qualitative research design was employed. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and surveys were analysed using template analysis. Findings: Data revealed that COVID-19 adversely affected the mental and social wellbeing of most of the respondents. There were silver linings in finding new ways to connect, appreciating a slower pace of life and the opportunity to reassess priorities, although the black clouds of separation from family, concern for youth, missing milestones and mental & financial concerns dominated most of the data. These negative consequences were exacerbated by the lack of reasonableness, inclusivity, openness and transparency of the COVID-19 restrictions and regulations. Conclusion: As the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic are expected to continue for some time, this study has implications for public health policy and practice in HK, and internationally, in planning how to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic.

Published in	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13
Page(s)	19-28
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

COVID-19, Expatriates, Hong Kong, Psychosocial, Public Health Policy

References

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Judith Blaine. (2022). Black Clouds and Silver Linings: Exploring the Psychosocial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Expatriates Living in Hong Kong. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 11(1), 19-28. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13

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ACS Style

Judith Blaine. Black Clouds and Silver Linings: Exploring the Psychosocial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Expatriates Living in Hong Kong. Psychol. Behav. Sci. 2022, 11(1), 19-28. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13

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AMA Style

Judith Blaine. Black Clouds and Silver Linings: Exploring the Psychosocial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Expatriates Living in Hong Kong. Psychol Behav Sci. 2022;11(1):19-28. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13

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@article{10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13,
  author = {Judith Blaine},
  title = {Black Clouds and Silver Linings: Exploring the Psychosocial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Expatriates Living in Hong Kong},
  journal = {Psychology and Behavioral Sciences},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {19-28},
  doi = {10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pbs.20221101.13},
  abstract = {Background: While global media, international and local health organisations, epidemiologists, and opinion makers disseminate regular updates on the spread and mortality of COVID-19, the psychosocial effect of the pandemic is often neglected. This is amplified for expatriates living outside their native country as stringent quarantine measures make travelling to their home countries prohibitive, if not impossible, in terms of time and money. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on expatriates living in Hong Kong. Method: An exploratory qualitative research design was employed. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and surveys were analysed using template analysis. Findings: Data revealed that COVID-19 adversely affected the mental and social wellbeing of most of the respondents. There were silver linings in finding new ways to connect, appreciating a slower pace of life and the opportunity to reassess priorities, although the black clouds of separation from family, concern for youth, missing milestones and mental & financial concerns dominated most of the data. These negative consequences were exacerbated by the lack of reasonableness, inclusivity, openness and transparency of the COVID-19 restrictions and regulations. Conclusion: As the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic are expected to continue for some time, this study has implications for public health policy and practice in HK, and internationally, in planning how to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Black Clouds and Silver Linings: Exploring the Psychosocial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Expatriates Living in Hong Kong
AU  - Judith Blaine
Y1  - 2022/01/21
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N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13
T2  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JF  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JO  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
SP  - 19
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PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7845
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13
AB  - Background: While global media, international and local health organisations, epidemiologists, and opinion makers disseminate regular updates on the spread and mortality of COVID-19, the psychosocial effect of the pandemic is often neglected. This is amplified for expatriates living outside their native country as stringent quarantine measures make travelling to their home countries prohibitive, if not impossible, in terms of time and money. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on expatriates living in Hong Kong. Method: An exploratory qualitative research design was employed. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and surveys were analysed using template analysis. Findings: Data revealed that COVID-19 adversely affected the mental and social wellbeing of most of the respondents. There were silver linings in finding new ways to connect, appreciating a slower pace of life and the opportunity to reassess priorities, although the black clouds of separation from family, concern for youth, missing milestones and mental & financial concerns dominated most of the data. These negative consequences were exacerbated by the lack of reasonableness, inclusivity, openness and transparency of the COVID-19 restrictions and regulations. Conclusion: As the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic are expected to continue for some time, this study has implications for public health policy and practice in HK, and internationally, in planning how to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Judith Blaine

Department of Psychology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa

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APA Style

Judith Blaine. (2022). Black Clouds and Silver Linings: Exploring the Psychosocial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Expatriates Living in Hong Kong. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 11(1), 19-28. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13

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ACS Style

Judith Blaine. Black Clouds and Silver Linings: Exploring the Psychosocial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Expatriates Living in Hong Kong. Psychol. Behav. Sci. 2022, 11(1), 19-28. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13

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AMA Style

Judith Blaine. Black Clouds and Silver Linings: Exploring the Psychosocial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Expatriates Living in Hong Kong. Psychol Behav Sci. 2022;11(1):19-28. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13

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@article{10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13,
  author = {Judith Blaine},
  title = {Black Clouds and Silver Linings: Exploring the Psychosocial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Expatriates Living in Hong Kong},
  journal = {Psychology and Behavioral Sciences},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {19-28},
  doi = {10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pbs.20221101.13},
  abstract = {Background: While global media, international and local health organisations, epidemiologists, and opinion makers disseminate regular updates on the spread and mortality of COVID-19, the psychosocial effect of the pandemic is often neglected. This is amplified for expatriates living outside their native country as stringent quarantine measures make travelling to their home countries prohibitive, if not impossible, in terms of time and money. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on expatriates living in Hong Kong. Method: An exploratory qualitative research design was employed. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and surveys were analysed using template analysis. Findings: Data revealed that COVID-19 adversely affected the mental and social wellbeing of most of the respondents. There were silver linings in finding new ways to connect, appreciating a slower pace of life and the opportunity to reassess priorities, although the black clouds of separation from family, concern for youth, missing milestones and mental & financial concerns dominated most of the data. These negative consequences were exacerbated by the lack of reasonableness, inclusivity, openness and transparency of the COVID-19 restrictions and regulations. Conclusion: As the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic are expected to continue for some time, this study has implications for public health policy and practice in HK, and internationally, in planning how to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Black Clouds and Silver Linings: Exploring the Psychosocial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Expatriates Living in Hong Kong
AU  - Judith Blaine
Y1  - 2022/01/21
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13
T2  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JF  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JO  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
SP  - 19
EP  - 28
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7845
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20221101.13
AB  - Background: While global media, international and local health organisations, epidemiologists, and opinion makers disseminate regular updates on the spread and mortality of COVID-19, the psychosocial effect of the pandemic is often neglected. This is amplified for expatriates living outside their native country as stringent quarantine measures make travelling to their home countries prohibitive, if not impossible, in terms of time and money. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on expatriates living in Hong Kong. Method: An exploratory qualitative research design was employed. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and surveys were analysed using template analysis. Findings: Data revealed that COVID-19 adversely affected the mental and social wellbeing of most of the respondents. There were silver linings in finding new ways to connect, appreciating a slower pace of life and the opportunity to reassess priorities, although the black clouds of separation from family, concern for youth, missing milestones and mental & financial concerns dominated most of the data. These negative consequences were exacerbated by the lack of reasonableness, inclusivity, openness and transparency of the COVID-19 restrictions and regulations. Conclusion: As the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic are expected to continue for some time, this study has implications for public health policy and practice in HK, and internationally, in planning how to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download