Faculty
Winnie W. S. MAK
Website:
Ph.D., UCSB
Professor
Rm 333, Chen Kou Bun Building
wwsmak@cuhk.edu.hk
3943 6577
2603 5019
Diversity & Well-Being Laboratory
Brief Introduction
I am a community-based clinical psychologist who works closely with people with lived experience, non-government organizations, and corporations to translate research into practice. My research focuses on stigma and diversity, digital mental health, and the application of Buddhist psychology for well-being and social equality. I co-founded the social enterprise StoryTaler (https://www.storytalerhk.org/) and developed an online mental health platform (Jockey Club TourHeart+ Project, https://www.jcthplus.org/) for emerging adults in Hong Kong. Our Diversity and Well-being Lab aims to promote social equality and well-being for all, and this mission drives our research and related activities.
Research Interests
Recent Projects
- Jockey Club TourHeart+ Project —Digital Platform for Mental Health
- Personalized Nudging to Promote Uptake of and Engagement in Mental Health Self-care
- User Preferences on Modes of Psychotherapy for Depression
Teaching Areas
- PSYC6231- Thesis II
- PSYC6620- Health & Community Psychology
Publications
Mak, W. W. S., Tong, A. C. Y., Fu, A. C. M., Leung, I. W. Y., Jung, O. H. C., Watkins, E. R., & Lui, W. W. S. (2024). Efficacy of Internet-based rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based intervention with guided support in reducing risks of depression and anxiety: A randomized controlled trial. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 1–27.
Mak, W. W. S., Tsoi, E. W. S., & Wong, H. C. Y. (2024). Brief Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP®) as a mental health self-management tool for community adults in Hong Kong: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Mental Health, 33(2), 236-24.
Mak, W. W. S., Ng, S. M., & Yu, B. C. L. (2023). Nonattachment is associated with positive belief in humanity and life and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mindfulness, 14(11), 2617–2625.
Mak, W. W. S., Ng, S. M., & Leung, F. H. T. (2023). A web-based stratified stepped care platform for mental well-being (TourHeart+): User-centered research and design. JMIR Formative Research, 7: e38504.
Fong, T. H. C., & ∆Mak, W. W. S. (2022). Effects of Internet-based storytelling programs (Amazing Adventure Against Stigma) in reducing mental illness stigma with mediation by interactivity and stigma content: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(8), e37973.
Ho, C. Y. Y., Yu, B. C. L., & Mak, W. W. S. (2022). Nonattachment mediates the associations between mindfulness, well-being, and psychological distress: A meta-analytic structural equation modeling approach. Clinical Psychology Review, 95, 102175
Yuen, A. S. Y. & Mak, W. W. S. (2021). The effects of immersive virtual reality in reducing public stigma in the university population of Hong Kong: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(7), e23683.
Yu, B. C.L., Chio, F. H. N., Mak, W. W. S., Corrigan, P. W. & Chan, K. K. Y. (2021). Internalization process of stigma of people with mental illness across cultures: A meta-analytic structural equation modeling approach, Clinical Psychology Review, 87, 102029.
Mak, W. W.S., Tong, A. C. Y., Yip, S. Y. C., Lui, W. W. S., Chio, F. H. N., Chan, A. T. Y., & Wong, C. C. Y. (2018). Efficacy and moderation of mobile app–based programs for mindfulness-based training, self-compassion training, and cognitive behavioral psychoeducation on mental health: Randomized controlled noninferiority trial. JMIR Mental Health, 5(4), e60.
Mak, W. W. S., Chan, R. C. H., Yau, S. S. W. (2018). Development and validation of Attitudes towards Recovery Questionnaire across Chinese people in recovery, their family carers, and service providers in Hong Kong. Psychiatry Research, 267, 48-55.
Mak, W. W. S., Chio, F. H. N., Chan, A. T. Y., Lui, W. W. S., Wu, E. K. Y. (2017). The efficacy of Internet-based mindfulness training and cognitive-behavioral training with telephone support in the enhancement of mental health among college students and young working adults: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(3): e84.
Mak, W. W. S., Chan, R. C. H., Wong, S. Y. S., Lau, J. T. F., Tang, W. K., Tang, A. K. L., Chiang. T. P., Cheng, S. K. W., Chan, F., Cheung, F. M., Woo, J., Lee, D. T. F. (2017). A Cross-diagnostic investigation of the differential impact of discrimination on clinical and personal recovery. Psychiatric Services, 68(2), 159-166.
Full list of publications can be found at: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=GVZa7lsAAAAJ&hl=en
Other Positions
- Research Director, CUHK-NCKU Joint Research Centre for Positive Social Science
- Professor (by courtesy), Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, CUHK
Editorial Boards
- Mindfulness
- Stigma and Health
Honors and Awards
- 2023 Social Welfare Excellence in Care Award under Top 10 Mental Health Awards by the Mental Health Foundation
- 2023 Ranked 39th in Top Scientists in Psychology in China by Research.com
- 2020-22 World’s Top 2% Scientists by Elsevier and Stanford University (Baas, Boyack, Ioannidis, 2022)
- 2021 Excellent Research Award, Food and Health Bureau, Hong Kong
- 2016-26 Outstanding Fellow of the Faculty of Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- 2017 《JESSICA Most Successful Women》2017
- 2017 Research Mentorship Award, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- 2016 Research Excellence Award, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Fellow of American Psychological Association (APA), Association for Psychological Science (APS), Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS), and Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA)
