Faculty

Suzanne Ho-Wai SO

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Ph.D., King's College London
Professor
Rm 321, Wong Foo Yuan Building
shwso@cuhk.edu.hk
3943 6211
2603 5019

Brief Introduction

Professor Suzanne So is currently a Professor in the Department of Psychology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Professor So received her BA in Experimental Psychology, MSSc in Clinical Psychology and PhD from the University of Oxford, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and King’s College London respectively. She is particularly interested in how mental disorders develop and how to treat and prevent them. As a clinician and educator, she is keen to bridge what the books say with what real people experience in their daily life, so as to make conceptual knowledge come alive and to promote a more humanistic understanding of patients’ experiences.

Research Interests

Psychological models of psychosis
Cognitive and affective pathways to psychosis and depression
Reasoning in psychosis and other psychiatric disorders
Psychological treatment for severe mental illnesses
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Metacognitive training
Therapist training; Experience sampling methodology/ecological momentary assessment.
 

I am interested in examining the psychological processes that contribute to the development and maintenance of psychosis, a severe mental ill-health condition. My students and I focus on the role of cognitive biases (such as belief inflexibility) and affective processes (such as worry) on psychotic disorders and emotional disorders. Our projects cover the continuum of psychosis, from individuals at risk of developing the illness, to patients across the acute and recovery stages. We adopt a wide range of methods to address our research questions, such as clinical interviews, questionnaires, experience sampling with the use of a mobile phone app, actigraphy, EEG, fMRI, meta-analysis, treatment trials, analysis of big data such as electronic health records, and multivariate statistical modelling.

Teaching Areas

2025-2026
  • PSYC4906 Guided‐self help Practicum
  • PSYC6730A Intervention Seminar I
  • PSYC6730B Intervention Seminar I

Publications

Recent
  1. Chung, L.K.H., Whitford, T., Griffiths, O., Jack, B., Le Pelley, M., Spencer, K., Barreiros, A.R., Harrison, A., Han, N., Libesman, S., Pearson, D., Elijah, R., Godwin, M., Haroutonian, C., Chan, S., Chong, G.H.C., Lau, G., Wong, Y.C., Wong, J., Ford, J., Mathalon, D., So, S.H., Harris, A. (in press). Neurophysiological evidence of motor preparation dysfunction during inner speech and its association with auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Schizophrenia Bulletin.
  2. Whitford, T., Chung, L.K.H., Griffiths, O., Jack, B., Le Pelley, M., Spencer, K., Barreiros, A.R., Harrison, A., Han, N., Libesman, S., Pearson, D., Elijah, R., Godwin, M., Haroutonian, C., Nickerson, A., Chan, S., Chong, G.H.C., Lau, G., Wong, Y.C., Wong, J., Ford, J., Mathalon, D., Harris, A., So, S.H. (in press). Corollary discharge dysfunction to inner speech and its relationship to auditory verbal hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Schizophrenia Bulletin.
  3. Chen, E.Y.H., Hung, S.F., So, S.H., Chung, D.W.S., Tso, S., Wong, C.W., Lam, M.M.L., Chan, S.K.W., Chang, W.C., Hui, C.L.M., Yan, E., Li, F., Chan, A.K.W.Y., & Kok, J. (in press). A 25-year long-term implementation review of an early intervention for psychosis programme in Hong Kong (Part I): Planning and initial development. East Asian Archives of Psychiatry.
  4. Chen, E.Y.H., Hung, S.F., So, S.H., Chung, D.W.S., Tso, S., Wong, C.W., Lam, M.M.L., Chan, S.K.W., Chang, W.C., Hui, C.L.M., Yan, E., Li, F., Chan, A.K.W.Y., & Kok, J. (in press). A 25-year long-term implementation review of an early intervention for psychosis programme in Hong Kong (Part II): Up-scaling, consolidation and challenges. East Asian Archives of Psychiatry.
  5. Yu, B.H.-W., Chau, A.K.C., Chiu, C.-D., & So, S.H. (2025). Prospective investigation of positive psychotic symptoms, dissociative symptoms, and metacognitive dysfunctions in a non-clinical population. Scientific Reports, 15,
  6. Yu, B.H.-W., Chau, A.K.C., Chiu, C.-D., & So, S.H. (2025). A latent profile analysis of positive psychotic symptoms and dissociative symptoms in the general population: Their associations with childhood trauma and outcomes. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. [online ahead of print] DOI:10.1007/s00127-025-02992-3
  7. Kwok, N.T.-K., So, S.H., Chan, S.S.M., Tsoi, K.K.F., Ma, S.L., Wong, O.W.H., Chau, S.W.H., Lai, K.Y.C., Hung, S.F., & Leung, P.W.L. (2025). Clinical and subthreshold depression in an epidemiologic sample of adolescents. Journal of Affective Disorders. [online ahead of print] DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.120143
  8. Wong, O.W.H., Chan, S.S.M., Chau, S.W.H., Chu, W.C.W., Ho, C.S.W., Ho, S.W.S., Hung, S.F., Hussain, S., Lai, K., Lam, A.M.W., Lo, H.H.L., Ma, K., Ma, S.L., Mo, F.Y.M., Sham, P.C., Shea, C.K.S., So, S.H., Tsoi, K.K.F., & Leung, P.W.L. (2025). Autism epidemiology in Hong Kong children and youths aged 6-17: Implications on autism screening and sex differences in the community. [online ahead of print] DOI: 10.1177/13623613251360269
  9. Morris, E.M.J., Kingston, J., Ellett, L., Lincoln, T., Gaudiano, B.A., So, S.H. (2025). Impact of change in insomnia on change in pandemic paranoia: A longitudinal moderated-mediation model in an international sample. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 186, 341-347. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.04.042
  10. Chan, S.S.M., Wong, O.W.H., Hussain, S., Tsoi, K.K.F., Ma, K.K.Y., Chau, S.W.H., Ma, S.L., Lai, K.Y.C., Chu, W.C.W., Lo, H.H.L., Ho, S.W.S., Leung, C.C., Yiu, K.K.L., So, S.H., Sham, P.C., Hung, S.F., & Leung, P.W.L. (2025). Twelve-month prevalence of DSM-5 mental disorders and the psychosocial correlates – A child and adolescent psychiatric epidemiologic survey in Hong Kong SAR. The Lancet Regional Health Western Pacific, 57, 101533.
  11. So, S.H., Chau, A.K.C., Tsui, W.L.A., Chan, S.S., Chang, W.C., Ellett, L., Sun, X., & Barry, T.J. (2025). Autobiographical memory retrieval in schizophrenia and its association with symptom severity. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition. [online ahead of print] DOI: 10.1037/mac0000227
  12. Kingston, J., Dunford, A., Chau, A.K.C., So, S.H., & Pile, V. (2025). Vivid images of future harm: The relationship between paranoia, prospective imagery and present moment awareness. Personality and Individual Differences, 237, DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2024.113038
  13. Morriss, J., Rosenek, N., Gaudiano, B.A., So, S.H., Kingston, J., Lincoln, T.L., Morris, E.M.J., & Ellett, L. (2025). Associations between interpersonal trauma and intolerance of uncertainty in an international multi-site sample. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 49, 185-192. DOI: 10.1007/s10608-024-10552-3
  14. So, S.H., Woodruff, P.W., & Khaled, S.M. (2025). Editorial: Markers of clinical significance and treatment-seeking of psychotic experiences in non-clinical populations: Potential resilience and risk factors. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1557770
  15. Morriss, J., Gaudiano, B.A., So, S.H., Kingston, J., Lincoln, T., Morris, E.M.J., & Ellett, L. (2024). Associations between intolerance of uncertainty, paranoia, anxiety and depression: Evidence from an international multi-site sample. Mental Health Science, 2024, DOI: 10.1002/mhs2.81
  16. Schlier, B., Lincoln, T.M., Kingston, J.L., So, S.H., Gaudiano, B.A., Morris, E.M.J., & Ellett, L. (2024). Cross-cultural validation of the Revised Green et al. Paranoid Thoughts Scale. Psychological Medicine, 54, 1985-1991. DOI: 10.1017/S0033291724000072.
  17. So, S.H., Chau, A.K.C., Gaudiano, B.A., Ellett, L., Lincoln, T.M., Morris, E.M.J., & Kingston, J.L. (2024). The relationship between risk perception, anxiety and paranoia – A predictive model in a community sample. Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders, 5, DOI: 10.1016/j.xjmad.2024.100052
  18. Powell, C.L.Y.M., Chiu, C.Y., Sun, X., & So, S.H. (2024). A meta-analysis on the efficacy of low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy for generalised anxiety disorder. BMC Psychiatry, 24, DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05306-6
  19. Chau, A.K.C., & So, S.H. (2024). The mediating role of social stress sensitivity on the relationship between hostile attribution bias and paranoia: An experience sampling study. European Psychiatry, 67(S1), DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2024.595
  20. Liu, T.C., Kwok, N.T., Leung, P.W., Hung, S.F., Chan, S.S.M., Chau, S.H.W., Wong, W.H., & So, S.H. (2024). Emotional reactivity to daily events in adolescents with clinical depression and subthreshold depression: an experience sampling study. European Psychiatry, 67(S1), S543. DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2024.1127
  21. Chung, L.K., Harris, A.W., Griffiths, O., Jack, B.N., Le Pelley, M.E., Spencer, K.M., Barreiros, A.R., Harrison, A.W., Han, N., Libesman, S., Pearson, D., Elijah, R.B., Chan, S.S.M., Chong, G.H., So, S.H., & Whitford, T.J. (2024). Neurophysiological evidence of motor preparation dysfunction to inner speech in schizophrenia. European Psychiatry, 67(S1), DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2024.516
  22. Wang, W., Sun, X., Wong, A.C.N., & So, S.H. (2023). Selective processing in attention and memory in schizophrenia: A meta-analysis of the negative priming effect. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 161, 112-122. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.02.041
  23. Denecke, S., Schlier, B., Kingston, J.L., Ellett, L., So, S.H., Gaudiano, B.A., Morris, E.M.J., & Lincoln, T.M. (2023). Differentiating paranoia and conspiracy mentality – A network approach. Scientific Reports, 13, 22732. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47923-x
  24. Chau, A.K.C., So, S.H., & Barkus, E. (2023). The role of loneliness and negative schemas in the moment-to-moment dynamics between social anxiety and paranoia: an experience sampling study in non-clinical young adults. Scientific Reports, 13, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47912-0
  25. Gaudiano, B.A., Marks, R., Ellett, L., So, S.H., Lincoln, T.M., Morris, E.M.J., & Kingston, J.L. (2023). The role of general vs pandemic-specific paranoid ideation in the use of recommended preventative behaviors and vaccine willingness during a worldwide pandemic: An international study in the general public. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 167, 110-118. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.10.014
  26. Chung, L.K., Jack, B.N., Griffiths, O., Pearson, D., Luque, D., Harris, A.W.F., Spencer, K., Le Pelley, M.E., So, S.H., Whitford, T.J. (2023). Neurophysiological evidence of motor preparation in inner speech and the effect of content predictability. Cerebral Cortex, DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad389htt
  27. So, S.H., Chau, A.K.C., Chung, L.K., Leung, C.M., Chong, G.H.C., Chang, W.C., Mak, A.D.P., Chan, S.S.M., Lee, S., & Sommer, I.E. (2023). Moment-to-moment affective dynamics in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. European Psychiatry, 66, DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.2438
  28. Kingston, J.L, Schlier, B., Lincoln, T., So, S.H., Gaudiano, B.A., Morris, E.M.J., Phiri, P., & Ellett, L. (2023). Paranoid thinking as a function of minority group status and intersectionality: An international examination of the role of negative beliefs. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 49, 1078-1087. DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad027
  29. So, S.H., Zhu, C., Chau, A.K.C., Sun, X., Chiu, C.-D., Chan, R.C.K., & Leung, P.W.L. (2023). 18-month trajectories of delusional dimensions in young adults: Relationship with reasoning biases and worry. Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, 132, 209-221. DOI: 10.1037/abn0000784
  30. Chau, S.W.H., Hussain, S., Chan, S.S.M., Wong, O.W.H., Zhang, J., Feng, H., Lai, K.Y.C., Ma, S.L., So, S.H., Tsoi, K.K.F., Wing, Y.K., Hung, S.F., & Leung, P.W.L. (2023). A comparison of sleep-wake patterns among school-age children and adolescents in Hong Kong before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 19, 749-757. DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.10422
  31. Ellett, L., Schlier, B., Kingston, J., Zhu, C., So, S.H., Lincoln, T.M., Morris, E.M.J., & Gaudiano, B.A. (2023). Pandemic paranoia in the general population: international prevalence and sociodemographic profile. Psychological Medicine, 53, 5748-5755. DOI: 10.1017/S0033291722002975
  32. Kingston, J.L, Schlier, B., Ellett, L., So, S.H., Gaudiano, B., Morris, E.M.J., & Lincoln, T. (2023). The Pandemic Paranoia Scale (PPS): Factor structure and measurement invariance across languages. Psychological Medicine, 53, 2652-2661. DOI: 10.1017/S0033291721004633

Other Information

  • An interview on the RTHK1 health programme “精靈一點”. The topic is on "Cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis", Feb 7, 2014.
  • An interview on the Phoenix TV programme “醫APPS最強”. The topic is on "IQ", Mar 29, 2014

Awards

2016        CUHK Young Researcher Award

2016        CUHK University Education Award

2016        CUHK Faculty of Social Science Exemplary Teaching Award

2017        UGC Teaching Award (Early Career Category)

2021        CUHK Faculty of Social Science Exemplary Teaching Award

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