Concepts of Mental Health in Malaysia

Abstract

This study uses a qualitative, emic approach to assess differing concepts of mental health in Malaysia. Respondents were asked to list five characteristics of psychological well-being in the Malay language. The responses were analyzed by a self-identified religion (Islamic, Christian, Buddhist) and ethnicity (Malay, Chinese, tribal). Among all respondents, the most often noted concepts of mental health were rational thinking, interpersonal skills, controlling emotions, positive thinking, open-mindedness, and the ability to solve problems (in that order of frequency). The interpersonal skills concept was the most frequently identified by Chinese Buddhists/Christians and tribal Christians, while controlling emotions was the most frequently identified by Malay and tribal Muslims. Yet, when Malay responses were analyzed only by ethnicity, the highest frequency was interpersonal skills.