Academic Staff
ZHOU, Jiajia 周佳佳 (Affiliate)
Assistant Professor
PhD, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Research Interests:
Social gerontology; Caregiving for older adults; Healthy ageing; Life course
Prof. Zhou Jiajia is Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology (Affiliate) and the Department of Social Work. Her research focuses on three key areas within social gerontology: (1) caregiving of older adults in social disconnections and relational vulnerabilities, (2) social and environmental determinants on healthy ageing, and (3) a life course perspective on health, poverty, and care options. Her work has been published in renowned journals, including The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Social Sciences, Health and Social Care in the Community, Aging & Mental Health, Journal of Applied Gerontology, and Journal of Aging and Health. Additionally, Prof. Zhou serves as affiliated researcher at the Research Centre for Gerontology and Family Studies (PolyU) and the Life Course Development Research Institute (HKBU).
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
(To Be Updated)
From Jan-2026 to Dec-2028 | “Investigating Care Networks for Chinese Older Adults with Dementia: Enhancing Care Capacity Beyond Dyadic Relationships” (project no. 12603225). Granted by General Research Fund (GRF), Hong Kong Research Grant Council. Principle Investigator (PI). Approved amount: HK$ 915,600. |
| From Jan-2025 to Dec-2026 | “Integrating Motivational Interviewing and Photovoice to Enhance Future Care Preparation for older Singletons and Doubletons: A Three-Arm Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial” (project no.15606924). Granted by General Research Fund (GRF), Hong Kong Research Grant Council. Co-Investigator (PI: Prof. Bai Xue). Approved amount: HK$ 1,107,212. |
Publications (* indicates corresponding author)
Zhou, J.-J.*, & Kang, R. (2025). Typologies of Informal Care Networks for Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Functional Difficulties in China: A Multidimensional Perspective. Health and Social Care in the Community, 2025(1), 6649034. https://doi.org/10.1155/hsc/6649034
Zhou, J.-J.*, Zhou, S., Cai, X., & Luo, J. (2025). Longitudinal Associations Between Neighborhood Environments and Functional Disabilities among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in China. The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 80(3). https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbae206
Tsang, A. P. L., Sun, N., Hu, Y., & Zhou, J.-J.* (2025). Predicting late-life depression trajectories through early-life experiences: evidence from CHARLS. Aging & Mental Health, 29(12), 2294-2303. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2025.2515177
Bai, X., Zhou, J.-J.*, Hu, B., & Shum, D. H. K. (2025). Childhood Threats and Cognitive Difficulties in Mid and Later Life: A Gendered Perspective on the Mediating Role of Family Functioning. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 68(8), 1055-0175. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2025.2471994
Zhou, J.-J.*, & Zhou, S. (2024). Childhood interpersonal trauma and depression of middle-aged and older adults in China: The mediation effect of social integration. Journal of Aging and Health, 36(7-8), 424-435. https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643231197081
Bai, X., Zhou, J.-J.*, Lee, C. K., Lee, V. W. P., & Lai, D. W. L. (2024). Personal Competence or Environmental Characteristics? Factors Influencing Happiness among Ageing Adults in Hong Kong Around the Period of COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 43(9), 1204–1213. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648241234995
Zhou, J.-J., & Bai, X.* (2022). Influence of intergenerational relationships on depressive symptoms in ageing Chinese adults in Hong Kong: Mediating effects of sense of loneliness. BMC Geriatrics, 22(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03269-z
Scholarships and Awards
| 2025 | Outstanding Research Output Awards 2024/25, Hong Kong Baptist University |
| 2022 | Annual Best Paper Award for Research Postgraduate Students, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University |
| 2020 | Best Presenters at British Postgraduate Network for Chinese Studies Annual Conference, British Association for Chinese Studies |