Short Bio
Prof. Helen Liu is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Saint Joseph (USJ), Macao. She holds an MSW from Rutgers University and a PhD in Social Service from Fordham University. She serves as the Programme Lead for USJ’s Prison Outreach Programme, working in close partnership with Coloane Prison to advance evidence-based reintegration services and correctional research.
Her research interests include family resilience, child and adolescent well-being, youth cyberbullying in the Greater Bay Area, and the social reintegration of incarcerated persons. Since 2022, she has led an ongoing Greater Bay Area research initiative on youth cyberbullying, examining its psychological mechanisms, digital use divides, common parenting practices and associated risk factors. She also leads a funded project supporting parenting groups for families of children with special needs across the Greater Bay Area. She is an Associate Affiliate of the China Center for Social Policy at Columbia University School of Social Work and Academic Consultant for the Macao Catholic Family Advisory Council.
Prof. Liu has secured competitive research grants from Macao public funding bodies and served as Principal Investigator (PI) for a range of externally funded research projects covering correctional education, social reintegration, and child, youth, and family development. Her work appears in peer-reviewed journals including Child & Family Social Work, China Journal of Social Work, Asian Social Work and Policy Review, and International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. She acts as a reviewer for leading international journals in social work and psychology, including Child & Family Social Work, The British Journal of Social Work, Current Psychology, and The Hawaiʻi Journal of Health & Social Welfare, and has presented her research at numerous international forums.
Publications
Selected Publications
Liu, S.-W., & Hoi, K. L. (2025). Parenting Style and Adolescents’ Cyberbullying Behaviors: Restrictive Parental Internet Intervention as a Moderator in Macau. Future, 3(4), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/future3040020
Liu, S.-W., Chen, S., Huang, C., & Vallario, J. (2025). Parenting Style and Child Internet Addiction in China: Mediation Effect of Parental Active Meditation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(4), 461. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040461
Ho, J. & Liu, H. (Eds)., (2024). Proceedings of the 2023 International Symposium on Children and Youth Health and Well-being. USJ Academic Press. ISBN: 978-99965-940-9-0.
Liu, S.W. & Lao, S. M. (2024). Digital use divide, parenting strategies, and cyberbullying (Chapter). Proceedings of the Mental Health in the Digital Age: A Global Issue, pp 14-21. ISBN 978-604-489-356-3.
Ribeiro Leong, O. N. & Liu, S. W. (2022). An exploration of building up the quality of parentchild relationship in residential childcare in Macao. Asian Social Work and Policy Review,16, p114-125 (Corresponding author). (Scopus)
Liu, S.W. ＆Teixeira, V. (2021). 澳門居民婚姻及家庭生活不同階段的需求調查結案報告。The Needs of Different Stages of Marriage and Family Life Course in Macau. University of Saint Joseph, Macau. http://library-opac.usj.edu.mo/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=176150.
Liu, S.W., Zhai, F., and Gao, Q. (2020). Parental Stress and Parenting in Chinese Immigrant Families: The mediating role of social support. Child & Family Social Work, 25 (s1):135-148. (SSCI, Scopus)
Liu, S.W., Zhai, F., and Gao, Q. (2017). Parental Acculturation and Parenting in Chinese Immigrant Families: the mediating role of social support, China Journal of Social Work, 10:2-3, 203-219. (Scopus)
Liu, S.W. & Chuang, C.L. (2017). A Study on Coping Strategy of the Sustainable Operations at X university under Declining Birth Rates. Journal of Chinese Management Development,6(1), 45-59. (in Chinese)
Liu, S.W. (2013). Bilingual Social Workers in Mental Health Service Provision: Cultural Competence, Language, and Work Experience. Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 7, 85-98. (Scopus)
Selected Funding Supports
2024-2025 Macao Foundation, Effectiveness of the Multigenerational Parenting Group Models (MF/2025/ACA/07)
2023-2024 Macao Foundation, Digital Use Divide, Parenting Strategy, and Cyberbullying (MF/2023/ACA/10).
2022-2023 Macao Foundation, Youth Cyberbullying-Understanding Contextual Paths toPrevention and Resilience Principal Investigator (MF/2022/ACA/04).
2020-2022 Higher Education Bureau Grant, “Resilience in Corrections After the Implementation of the Outreach Program: a Pathway to Rehabilitation”, Principal Investigator (HSS-USJ-2020-02).
2020-2021 Macao Foundation Grant, “Family Dynamics and Child Development in Macao”, Principal Investigator (MF/2020/50).
2019-2021 Social Welfare Bureau Grant, Macao Foundation Grant, “The Needs of Different Stages of Marriage and Family Life Course in Macao”, Principal Investigator. The Macau Catholic Family Advisory Council has commissioned USJ, Faculty of Social Sciences and Education to explore the developmental tasks, adjustments to the different stages in their family life cycle.
2019-2020 Macao Foundation Grant, “Building up the Quality of Relationship between Foster Children and their Birth Parents”, Principal Investigator (MF/2019/52) .
2018-2019 Macao Foundation Grant, “Management of Social Welfare Services in Macau”, Co-Principal Investigator (MF/2018/20).
Professional Presentations
August 2024. Liu, S.W. Prison Outreach Program Macao. Paper presented at the 30th ASEACCU Annual Conference, Sydney, Australia.
July 2024 Liu, S.W. Digital use divide, parenting strategies, and cyberbullying. Paper presented at the International Scientific Conference: Mental health in the digital age: A global issue, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
July 2024 Liu, S.W. Education as a tool to Reduce Inequalities: A Pathway to Reintegration. Paper presented at the ARTM Conference 2024 Treatment of Substance Abuse Disorders, University of Macau, Macau, China.
Nov. 2023 Liu, S.W. Education as a tool to Reduce Inequalities: A Pathway to Reintegration: A Case Study in Macao, China. Paper presented at the 療癒性社區建構與成癮防治國際研討會暨實務工作坊，台北。
June 2023 Liu, S.W. “Youth Cyberbullying-Understanding Contextual Paths to Prevention and Resilience “was accepted for publication at the International Conference on Education and New Development 2023 (END 2023), Lisbon, Portugal.
July, 2022 Liu, S.W. Prison Education, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration: A Case Study in Macao, China. Paper presented at IFCU 7th International Psychology Congress – Psychology in Dialogue: Three paths, one goal, Porto, Portugal.
July 2019 Liu, S.W. Management of Social Welfare Services in Macau. Paper presented at the 14th European Academic Research Conference on Global Business, Economics, Finance & Social Science Paris, France.
May 2016 Liu, S.W., Gao, Q. and Zhai, F. Parental Stress and Parenting Behaviors among Asian immigrant parents in New York City. Paper presented at the 2016 International Conference on All-Age Care of Social Work, Miaoli, Taiwan.
Jan. 2014 Liu, S.W., Gao, Q. and Zhai, F. Social Support-A Mediator on the Role of Parental Socioeconomic and Acculturation Stress in Chinese Immigrants’ Intergenerational Relationship. Paper presented in the symposium entitled “Differential Risk and Protective Factors for Mental Health and Acculturation Outcomes Among Major Latino- and Asian-American Subgroups: Needs for Ethnic Sensitive Practices” at Society for Social Work Research (SSWR) 18th Annual Conference, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
Oct. 2013 Liu, S.W., Gao, Q. and Zhai, F. Parental Stress, Acculturation, and Parenting Behaviors among Chinese Immigrant Parents in New York City. Paper presented at the 55th Annual Conference of American Association for Chinese Studies. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick. New Jersey.
Modules
Year 1 Bachelor
This course module integrates the rights-based approach (RBA), theories, goals, objectives, principles and practice guidelines on community organizing (CO), community-based and community-driven development (CBD) and (CDD) respectively.
It will discuss and differentiate the basic models of community practice and its purposes in twenty-first (21st) century context, such as (a) neighborhood and community organizing, (b) organizing functional communities, (c) social, economic & sustainable development, (d) program development and community liaison, (e) social planning, (f) coalitions, (g) political and social action, (h) movements for progressive change, (i) asset based community development.
Furthermore, this module will also discuss the processes for people empowerment, community profiling, community assessment and community-driven development (CDD) approach. "
This course examines biophysical, psychological, and behavioral domains of human development from prenatal to adolescence. Individuals and families’ interactions with the environment are emphasized during each phase of the life circle: infancy and early childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, middle adulthood, and the later years. Major theories to underpin assessment and interventions with individual and family client systems are presented, within the broader context of a systems approach.
Alternative Description:
A review of the basic concepts and principles of physical, social, and cognitive developments at early stages of life, ranging from prenatal to adolescence. The characteristics of human growth and development, and the manner in which biological and psychological endowments are modified by the environment will be examined. The course enables students to identify factors leading to maladjustment or problems occurred during the above-captioned phases of development. The relationships between human behaviour and its social environment will be referred.
Alternative Description:
A review of the basic concepts and principles of physical, social, and cognitive developments at early stages of life, ranging from prenatal to adolescence. The characteristics of human growth and development, and the manner in which biological and psychological endowments are modified by the environment will be examined. The course enables students to identify factors leading to maladjustment or problems occurred during the above-captioned phases of development. The relationships between human behaviour and its social environment will be referred.
Alternative Description:
This course examines biophysical, psychological, and behavioral domains of human development from prenatal to adolescence. Individuals and families’ interactions with the environment are emphasized during each phase of the life circle: infancy and early childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, middle adulthood, and the later years. Major theories to underpin assessment and interventions with individual and family client systems are presented, within the broader context of a systems approach.
Year 2 Bachelor
This course is an introduction to the study of children in families, and the larger communal and national context in which they operate. We first trace the historical development of the modern family, map cross-cultural familial differences, and study variations in child status. We analyze the joint responsibility of the family and the Welfare State for children's well-being, development, and protection. We then focus on differences in family functioning and community context and on the corresponding childhood experience and adult life course.
Alternative Description:
This course examines contemporary cultures of childhood and how they have been shaped by changes in family structure, material conditions and a range of environmental factors that have an impact on children’s lives.This is the second one of a two-semester sequence in Human Behavior and Social Environment. This course examines biophysical, psychological, and behavioral domains of human development from young adult to elderly. Individuals and families’ interactions with the environment are emphasized during each phase of the life circle: young adulthood, middle adulthood, and the later years. Major theories to underpin assessment and interventions with individual and family client systems are presented, within the broader context of a systems approach.
Alternative Description:
This is the continuation of HBSE I with focus on the later stages of life, from adulthood to old age. Students will devote to the study of the characteristics of human growth and development and problems derived from its interaction with the social environment.
Alternative Description:
This is the second one of a two-semester sequence in Human Behavior and Social Environment. This course examines biophysical, psychological, and behavioral domains of human development from young adult to elderly. Individuals and families’ interactions with the environment are emphasized during each phase of the life circle: young adulthood, middle adulthood, and the later years. Major theories to underpin assessment and interventions with individual and family client systems are presented, within the broader context of a systems approach.
This course is the foundation social work practice course in the areas of Management, Community Organization, and Policy Practice. Using the core curricular themes of multiculturalism, diversity, social justice, and social change as an organizing framework, this course covers basic content in management, community organization, and policy practice methods, and prepares students to take the more advanced courses such as program design, budgeting, personnel, information processing, social planning, community development, community organization in special settings, policy analysis, and development and evaluation. It is partly survey in nature, touching on a range of methodologies and emphases, and providing an appreciation of the historical and contemporary importance of these methods in social work. In addition, it deals with the process of professionalization and introduces students to a range or practice tools.
Alternative Description:
This course is the foundation social work practice course in the areas of Management, Community Organization, and Policy Practice. Using the core curricular themes of multiculturalism, diversity, social justice, and social change as an organizing framework, this course covers basic content in management, community organization, and policy practice methods, and prepares students to take the more advanced courses such as program design, budgeting, personnel, information processing, social planning, community development, community organization in special settings, policy analysis, and development and evaluation. It is partly survey in nature, touching on a range of methodologies and emphases, and providing an appreciation of the historical and contemporary importance of these methods in social work. In addition, it deals with the process of professionalization and introduces students to a range or practice tools.
This course explores the changes in family structure and functions, and seeks to familiarize students with policies and social services provided to strengthen and support family life in Macau. The roles of social workers in family and children services will be studied. Policies at macro level will also be discussed.
Year 3 Bachelor
This module provides students with the social science tools needed to solve organizational problems and influence the actions of individuals, groups and organizations. It prepares managers to understand how to best organize and motivate the human capital of the firm, manage social networks and alliances, and execute strategic change. This will be accomplished through knowledge of competitive decision-making, reward system design, team building, strategic negotiation, political dynamics, corporate culture and strategic organizational design.
Alternative Description:
This module provides students with the social science tools needed to solve organizational problems and influence the actions of individuals, groups and organizations. It prepares managers to understand how to best organize and motivate the human capital of the firm, manage social networks and alliances, and execute strategic change. This will be accomplished through knowledge of competitive decision-making, reward system design, team building, strategic negotiation, political dynamics, corporate culture and strategic organizational design.
This course explores the psychodynamic of change in family structure and function, and seeks to familiarize students with social services provided to strengthen and support family life in Macau. The role of the social worker in family services will be studied. Service programs and policies as well as methods of treatment will also be discussed.
Alternative Description:
This course explores the psychodynamic of change in family structure and function, and seeks to familiarize students with social services provided to strengthen and support family life in Macau. The role of the social worker in family services will be studied. Service programs and policies as well as methods of treatment will also be discussed.
Year 4 Bachelor
Students will be encouraged to recognize and understand the ongoing redefinition of societies as communities and the affirmation of the individual as a person. These capacities are relevant pre-conditions to students as they become cultured and transnational scholars. Students will be encouraged to delve into their learned and inherited cultural traditions to study and develop deeper awareness of notions, principles, methodologies and techniques useful to building family, academic, business, and civic communities that can and should make a difference. Recent research in the new science of networks will help the understanding and implementation of these ongoing transformations.
Alternative Description:
Students will be encouraged to recognize and understand the ongoing redefinition of societies as communities and the affirmation of the individual as a person. These capacities are relevant pre-conditions to students as they become cultured and transnational scholars. Students will be encouraged to delve into their learned and inherited cultural traditions to study and develop deeper awareness of notions, principles, methodologies and techniques useful to building family, academic, business, and civic communities that can and should make a difference. Recent research in the new science of networks will help the understanding and implementation of these ongoing transformations.
As an integral part of the Licenciate studies, all undergraduate students at IIUM are required to prepare and present a portfolio of their work. The portfolio is assembled over the entire duration of their undergraduate studies, and is to consist of selected pieces of work that they have produced during their studies. A student’s portfolio may contain examples of assignment work, tests and examination answer scripts, presentations and project reports, and other work done by the student during his or her studies.
Alternative Description:
As an integral part of the Licenciate studies, all undergraduate students at IIUM are required to prepare and present a portfolio of their work. The portfolio is assembled over the entire duration of their undergraduate studies, and is to consist of selected pieces of work that they have produced during their studies. A student’s portfolio may contain examples of assignment work, tests and examination answer scripts, presentations and project reports, and other work done by the student during his or her studies.
Alternative Description:
As an integral part of the Licenciate studies, all undergraduate students at USJ are required to prepare and present a portfolio of their work. The portfolio is assembled over the entire duration of their undergraduate studies, and is to consist of selected pieces of work that they have produced during their studies. A student’s portfolio may contain examples of assignment work, tests and examination answer scripts, presentations and project reports, and other work done by the student during his or her studies.
Alternative Description:
As an integral part of the Licenciate studies, all undergraduate students at USJ are required to prepare and present a portfolio of their work. The portfolio is assembled over the entire duration of their undergraduate studies, and is to consist of selected pieces of work that they have produced during their studies. A student’s portfolio may contain examples of assignment work, tests and examination answer scripts, presentations and project reports, and other work done by the student during his or her studies.
Alternative Description:
This module will present the purposes, uses and benefits of portfolios, and how to develop teaching portfolios. Students will be required to engage in higher levels of thinking through the use of inquiry and reflection. The portfolio will be assembled over the course of the teaching practice and will be an expression of selected pieces of work by the student towards meeting program and personal teaching objectives. During the process students will exemplify collaboration and interaction exchanges in different teaching scenarios.
Alternative Description:
The portfolio is a carefully designed visual and textual presentation of the unified body of work of a student, incorporating their full range of projects, skills, and vision. It is a synthesis of all modules and topics areas within the course (design, technology, history, theory, communication) and a holistic means of assessing student achievements. As the most important document for demonstrating the quality and competency of the individual designer or architect, the portfolio is used nationally and internationally for entry into design or architecture schools, postgraduate study programs, and into professional practice.
Field practice provides students with the opportunity to integrate classroom knowledge to practice skills. Students are placed in a social service agency, government or non-government, under the individual supervision of a fieldwork supervisor. During this period, students have the opportunities to familiarize themselves with the functions of the service delivery system and begin to develop skills of social work practice and to test their ability to relate meaningfully to people in a helping situation.
Alternative Description:
Field practice provides students with the opportunity to integrate classroom knowledge to practice skills. Students are placed in a social service agency, government or non-government, under the individual supervision of a fieldwork supervisor. During this period, students have the opportunities to familiarize themselves with the functions of the service delivery system and begin to develop skills of social work practice and to test their ability to relate meaningfully to people in a helping situation.
This second field placement helps students achieve grater competence and independency in service delivery upon graduation. Every effort is made to expose student to a variety of settings and methods of social work practice according to his/her learning needs and areas of interest.
Year 1 Master
This course covers the purpose, values and contexts of social work practice. It explores social and psychological thoughts, and theories relevant to social work practice. Major concepts and principles are discussed utilizing an interdisciplinary perspective.
The course reviews the characteristics of potential client populations and the socio-cultural contexts for intervention. It involves the analysis of direct and indirect professional practice tackling novel situations in local context. "
As a result of the rapid economic growth and development of Macau, the Mainland and Hong Kong, Macau has experienced dramatic social and demographic changes. It is foreseeable that cross-border marriages and single-parent families will come to represent a significant proportion of families in Macau. As families are increasingly under stress, more proactive family policies and services are required to meet the challenges ahead.
This course explores the changes in family structure and functions, and seeks to familiarize students with policies and social services provided to strengthen and support family life in Macau. The roles of social workers in family services will be studied. Policies and services (at macro level) as well as models of therapy (at micro level) will also be discussed. "
