Lingnan University Department of Psychology hosts symposium concerning latest psychological strategies for work stress in the digital era

The Department of Psychology at Lingnan University hosted an academic symposium on campus today, 13 April, titled “Navigating the Work-Family Interface in the Digital Era: Challenges and Strategies”. Around 40 local and international psychology scholars gathered to examine how contemporary work practices in the digital era influence mental health, job performance, and family life, and to present their latest research findings along with practical strategies to build resilience.

Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing, delivered the opening remarks, noting that in the digital era, the boundaries between work and home life are increasingly blurred, heightening psychological stress. The symposium sought to offer practical solutions for both organisations and the wider public.

The keynote speech was delivered by renowned organisational psychologist and Lingnan Fellow at the Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study (LUIAS) Prof Arnold Bakker from Erasmus University Rotterdam. He discussed the workaholism paradox, explaining that an excessive and compulsive workload depletes attention, judgment, and positivity, and also reduces creativity and performance. Using a work-home resources model, he observed that a prolonged overload may increase stress by adding to caregiving and household responsibilities, thus curtailing personal encouragement or straining social resources, and creating a vicious cycle. He suggested that organisations adopt complementary work-family resource approaches to help employees balance demands and develop self-regulation mechanisms to manage both domains.

In the digital era, the rise of remote and flexible work arrangements has created new opportunities. Prof Carys Chan from Griffith University presented her research on how such arrangements can benefit employees with different cognitive traits. She explained that employees with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder or attention issues can make the most of their strengths in remote settings through bootlegging, enabling greater autonomy and adaptability. This approach not only nurtures creativity and potential, but also boosts employees’ confidence in their ability to attain work goals, which offers long-term value to organisations.

Prof Zhang Xichao from Beijing Normal University and Dr Zhang Wen from the University of International Relations discussed ways to cope with stress at work. Using the broaden-and-build theory, they explained that daily physical activity such as walking or cycling can improve mental well-being and job performance, strengthen resilience, and contribute to productivity and overall physical and psychological health.

The symposium also examined the impact of work on family life. Prof Qu Jinzhao from Hainan University presented his latest psychological analysis research on unequal care, showing that people with less familial support may experience higher workplace stress, exacerbating pressures and conflicts, and he emphasised that organisations should consider employees’ backgrounds and requirements when designing benefits and policies, so as to diminish the psychological burden caused by an unequal domestic backup.

Prof Wu Chia-huei from King’s College London presented findings from an intervention study concerning mothers returning to the workforce. Beyond conventional family-friendly policies, she said that enhancing work-family balance self-efficacy is essential for working mothers. The study has designed a specialised training programme to improve resilience and psychological coping skills, and help mothers excel in the workplace.

In her closing remarks, Prof Siu Oi-ling, Head of the Department of Psychology, Lam Woo & Co Ltd Chair Professor of Applied Psychology, and Director of the Wofoo Joseph Lee Consulting and Counselling Psychology Research Centre at Lingnan University, stressed the importance of organisations considering the interplay between employees’ work demands, private life, and well-being, adding "This symposium highlights the urgent necessity for employees to rethink procedures for managing work and family in the digital era. Organisations should also adopt family-friendly policies that take employees’ personal needs into account."

Prof Siu pointed out that the research provides valuable insights for policymakers and organisations, and suggests combining current policies and technological innovations to help employees manage hidden stress in order to achieve a healthier and more sustainable way of life.

Participants of the symposium also included Prof William Hayward, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Chair Professor of Psychology at Lingnan University; Prof Richard M. Walker, Director of Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study (LUIAS), Head of the Department of Government and International Affairs and Lee Shau Kee Foundation Chair Professor of Public Administration, and faculty members of the Department of Psychology.