View in EDS

Perceived Impacts of Confucianism on Placement Experiences of Hong Kong Pre-Registration Occupational Therapy Students in the United Kingdom

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Perceived Impacts of Confucianism on Placement Experiences of Hong Kong Pre-Registration Occupational Therapy Students in the United Kingdom
Language: English
Authors: Hin Yuet Li, Sarah Louise McGinley, Rachel Dadswell, Rachel Houewling
Source: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 2026 10(1).
Availability: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Occupational Therapy, Allied Health Occupations Education, Cultural Influences, Asian Culture, Confucianism, College Students, Social Status, Student Placement, Teacher Student Relationship, Barriers, Cultural Differences, Student Attitudes
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom, Hong Kong
ISSN: 2573-1378
Abstract: This study explored the views of Hong Kong pre-registration occupational therapy (OT) students in the United Kingdom (UK) about how Chinese culture influenced their practice placement experiences. Students from diverse cultural backgrounds may encounter various challenges during OT placements, but little is known about how OT students from Hong Kong--where Confucianism traditionally shapes workplace expectations and the hierarchical teacher‑student relationship--experience placements in the UK. Two online focus groups to collect qualitative data were conducted in November 2022 with four participants who were UK-based OT students from Hong Kong (N=8 in total), two facilitators (OT students from Hong Kong, based in UK), and one silent observer (research supervisor). Findings indicated that participants held a vertical hierarchical mindset with an awareness of social positions. They interacted with placement educators using the expected bottom-up attitude and behaviors. While their participation in discussions reflected eagerness to learn in UK placements, participants defined respect as not challenging or rejecting their superiors. Students described challenges in relationships with supervisors associated with differences between common UK work practices and the traditional Confucianism teachings. However, exposure to supportive and collaborative placement environments also facilitated adaptation, fostering confidence, communication, and professional development. Learning experiences and academic outcomes of Hong Kong OT students were significantly impacted--positively and negatively--by Confucian work culture. While students described challenges rooted in cultural differences, exposure to supportive UK placement environments also promoted professional and personal growth.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502737
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1502737
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1502737
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Perceived Impacts of Confucianism on Placement Experiences of Hong Kong Pre-Registration Occupational Therapy Students in the United Kingdom
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hin+Yuet+Li%22">Hin Yuet Li</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sarah+Louise+McGinley%22">Sarah Louise McGinley</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rachel+Dadswell%22">Rachel Dadswell</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rachel+Houewling%22">Rachel Houewling</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Occupational+Therapy+Education%22"><i>Journal of Occupational Therapy Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 10(1).
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 22
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Occupational+Therapy%22">Occupational Therapy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Occupations+Education%22">Allied Health Occupations Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Influences%22">Cultural Influences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Asian+Culture%22">Asian Culture</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Confucianism%22">Confucianism</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Status%22">Social Status</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Placement%22">Student Placement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Student+Relationship%22">Teacher Student Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Differences%22">Cultural Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom%22">United Kingdom</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hong+Kong%22">Hong Kong</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2573-1378
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study explored the views of Hong Kong pre-registration occupational therapy (OT) students in the United Kingdom (UK) about how Chinese culture influenced their practice placement experiences. Students from diverse cultural backgrounds may encounter various challenges during OT placements, but little is known about how OT students from Hong Kong--where Confucianism traditionally shapes workplace expectations and the hierarchical teacher‑student relationship--experience placements in the UK. Two online focus groups to collect qualitative data were conducted in November 2022 with four participants who were UK-based OT students from Hong Kong (N=8 in total), two facilitators (OT students from Hong Kong, based in UK), and one silent observer (research supervisor). Findings indicated that participants held a vertical hierarchical mindset with an awareness of social positions. They interacted with placement educators using the expected bottom-up attitude and behaviors. While their participation in discussions reflected eagerness to learn in UK placements, participants defined respect as not challenging or rejecting their superiors. Students described challenges in relationships with supervisors associated with differences between common UK work practices and the traditional Confucianism teachings. However, exposure to supportive and collaborative placement environments also facilitated adaptation, fostering confidence, communication, and professional development. Learning experiences and academic outcomes of Hong Kong OT students were significantly impacted--positively and negatively--by Confucian work culture. While students described challenges rooted in cultural differences, exposure to supportive UK placement environments also promoted professional and personal growth.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1502737
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1502737
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 22
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Occupational Therapy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Occupations Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cultural Influences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Asian Culture
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Confucianism
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Status
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Placement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Student Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cultural Differences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hong Kong
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Perceived Impacts of Confucianism on Placement Experiences of Hong Kong Pre-Registration Occupational Therapy Students in the United Kingdom
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Hin Yuet Li
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Sarah Louise McGinley
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Rachel Dadswell
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Rachel Houewling
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 2573-1378
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 10
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
              Type: main
ResultId 1