Adults In Malaysia Research Articles

A cross-sectional study on health behavior changes during COVID-19 among adults in Malaysia.

COVID-19 has triggered significant disruptions globally, necessitating swift adaptations in individuals' health behaviors. This cross-sectional study was conducted during Phase Four of Malaysia's National Recovery Plan and examines how the pandemic has affected health behaviors among adult Malaysians. The study gathered data online using convenience sampling with 1,004 respondents aged 18 and above. The research focused on diverse health domains, including eating habits, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and sleep patterns. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank test and descriptive statistics were employed to compare health behaviors before and after COVID-19. Findings indicate noteworthy shifts in eating behaviors, with increased water and fruit consumption (p < .001). The frequency of home-cooked meals stayed relatively stable despite declining dinner preference and increasing daily snacks. Physical activity declined, marked by increased sedentary behavior and screen time (p < .001). There were differences in the patterns of smoking and alcohol consumption; some had started these behaviors during the pandemic. Notably, intentions to quit smoking among respondents were more prominent than attempts to stop drinking. Respondents' sleep patterns also changed, with more sleeping fewer than seven hours daily (p < .001). The study emphasizes the need for focused interventions to address new challenges by highlighting the impact on health behaviors. As Malaysia navigates the post-pandemic landscape, understanding and mitigating the persisting effects on health behaviors are crucial for promoting overall well-being.

Relationship between Filial Piety and Life Satisfaction among Young Adults in Malaysia and the UK: The Mediating Role of Perfectionism

Filial piety and perfectionism are associated with life satisfaction and are influenced by family values. This study examined the roles of filial piety beliefs and perfectionism in life satisfaction among 379 young adults aged 18 to 25 in Malaysia (n = 199) and the United Kingdom (n = 180). In both samples, reciprocal and authoritarian filial piety beliefs showed positive correlations with life satisfaction, while maladaptive perfectionism correlated negatively with life satisfaction. There was a positive correlation between adaptive perfectionism and life satisfaction only in the Malaysian sample. In both samples, adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism mediated the relationship between reciprocal filial piety and life satisfaction, but in opposite directions. That is, higher reciprocal filial piety was related to higher adaptive perfectionism and greater life satisfaction; higher reciprocal filial piety was also related to lower maladaptive perfectionism and better life satisfaction. Furthermore, maladaptive perfectionism mediated the relationship between authoritarian filial piety and life satisfaction in both samples; higher authoritarian filial piety was related to higher maladaptive perfectionism and reduced life satisfaction. However, specifically in the Malaysian sample, higher authoritarian filial piety predicted greater adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism. Findings highlight the importance of considering traditional family values, individual differences, and their interaction when evaluating subjective wellbeing.

Stressors and suicidal ideation in low-income adults in Malaysia: A serial mediation analysis of social support and mental health symptoms.

Studies have documented a heightened risk of suicidal ideation in response to stressors, especially among people from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. However, the mechanisms of this association remain elusive. Drawing on the social deterioration and counteractive models, this study aims to elucidate the pathways linking stressors to suicidal ideation through serial mediation of social support and mental health symptoms in Malaysia. Data were collected from 404 low-income adults (33.2% male and 66.8% female) receiving monthly financial assistance from Malaysia's social welfare department. We employed stressor measures (i.e. financial, family and work), the Oslo Social Support Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Suicidal Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised. A total of 46.8% of participants reported mild-to-severe anxiety and depressive symptoms, with 11.1% classified as high risk for suicide. Direct and indirect effects were found. After controlling for age and gender, social support and mental health symptoms mediated the link between stressors and suicidal ideation. The serial mediation analysis indicates that stressors are connected to heightened suicidal ideation through a sequence involving insufficient social support, followed by elevated levels of mental health symptoms. Understanding the multifaceted relationships among stressors, social support, mental health symptoms and suicide ideation expands the potential for developing targeted interventions and preventive strategies tailored for vulnerable populations. Clinical work with low-income individuals may include implementing early systematic efforts to develop accessible mental health and integrated care services.

Influence of Body Image Dissatisfaction on Impulse Buying among Young Adults in Malaysia

Influence of Body Image Dissatisfaction on Impulse Buying among Young Adults in Malaysia

Determinants of Circular Economy Behavioural Intentions Among Malaysian Youth: Investigating The Roles of Structural, Socio-Psychological, and Communication Factors in the Digital Marketplace

This study explores the influence of structural, socio-psychological, and communication factors on circular economy behavioural intentions among young adults in Malaysia. Employing a cross-sectional quantitative survey methodology, data were collected from 220 respondents aged 18-40. The findings reveal weak positive correlations between the examined factors and circular economy adoption intentions. Structural factors, which encompass cultural and relational aspects of social structure; socio-psychological factors, including attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control; and communication factors, such as bi-directional communication and opinion seeking, all play a role in shaping young adults' intentions to engage in circular economy practices. However, the weak correlations indicate that a comprehensive approach targeting multiple factors may be necessary to effectively promote circular economy adoption. The study highlights the need for future research to explore the interplay between these factors and investigate potential moderators and mediators that may strengthen the relationship between the studied variables and circular economy behavioural intentions. The findings contribute to the understanding of the drivers behind circular economy behavioural intentions and provide valuable insights for policymakers and organisations aiming to foster sustainable practices among young adults in the digital marketplace. The study underscores the importance of adopting a holistic approach that addresses structural, socio-psychological, and communication factors to create an enabling environment for circular economy engagement. Keywords: Circular economy, communication, youth, Malaysia, digital marketplace.

Longitudinal relationship between loneliness and cognitive function among unmarried older adults in Malaysia: exploring gender disparities.

The status of being unmarried is commonly associated with a higher tendency for loneliness and cognitive impairment. However, it has yet to be determined whether there is a link between loneliness and cognitive function among unmarried older people. Therefore, this study used longitudinal data to determine the link between loneliness and cognitive function, and the subjects were unmarried community-dwelling older adults. The study follows up a sample of 733 unmarried older adults who were either never married, widowed, divorced or separated, from waves one and two of the 'Neuroprotective Model for Healthy Longevity among Malaysian Older Adults' study. The main statistical analysis used to answer the research question was the PROCESS macro (model 1) for SPSS. The study found that increased loneliness was associated with a decline in cognitive function over a 3-year period. Additionally, gender moderated the link between loneliness and cognitive function, with this association being particularly prominent in older men. Loneliness among unmarried older people should be given attention as it could lead to deteriorating cognitive function. Notably, older men experience a more substantial impact of loneliness on cognitive function than women. Therefore, special attention should be focused on this population, and more social services should be developed to reduce the incidence of cognitive impairment, improve their quality of life, and promote successful ageing.

Usability Evaluation of a VR French Learning App for Google Cardboard

The purpose of this research work is to investigate cost-effective immersive virtual reality (VR) for learning French language by designing, developing and evaluating Mission Maison, an affordable immersive VR application for Google Cardboard. The development was guided by Design Science Research principle and aligned with John Biggs’ constructive alignment theory to transform passive learning into engaging adventures through immersive environments, compelling stories and gamified quizzes that is accessible via smartphone. 29 Malaysian young adults participated in the usability and acceptance evaluation using the System Usability Scale (SUS) in a controlled environment. All the participants were briefed on the application's functionality and went through a tutorial on using Google Cardboard prior to using the VR application. The evaluation revealed a high usability and learnability of Mission Maison, with an average SUS score of 86.38. The evaluation results also indicated that Mission Maison was easy to use, well-integrated, engaging and with minimal learning curves, serving as strong support that cost-effective immersive VR has the potential of springboarding traditional language learning to provide enjoyable and engaging learning experiences. The research work contributes in terms of a new practical budget-friendly immersive VR French language learning application and insights into usability and acceptance by young adults in Malaysia, for broader accessibility and adoption in language education. The findings provide educators, policymakers, and technology developers with a scalable solution to integrate immersive VR instructional design into curricula with aims to enhance language learning experiences.

Wild-caught adult black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) from various ecological landscapes in Malaysia

Most studies on black flies focus on the taxonomy and ecology of their aquatic stages. Despite posing a public health threat, the adults remain poorly studied in many countries, including Malaysia. The present study represents the first investigation of the distribution of wild-caught black flies from various ecological landscapes and climatic conditions in Malaysia. CO2-baited Malaise traps were set randomly at 41 sampling sites across Peninsular Malaysia from 2020 to 2023. In total, 532 black flies belonging to 14 species of four subgenera were captured. To ensure taxonomic rigor, specimens were identified to species morphologically and molecularly. The subgenus Gomphostilbia was the most abundant (71.43 %), followed by Simulium (14.28 %) and Davieselleum and Nevermannia each representing 7.14 % of the total captures. These species represented 14.74 % of the total species recorded from Malaysia. The most frequently collected species were Simulium roslihashimi (24.39 %), followed by S. aureohirtum, S. vanluni, and S. (Gomphostilbia) sp. 1 with 7.32 % each. The highest relative abundance was found for S. vanluni (86.09 %) and S. roslihashimi (7.14 %). Most species were found at elevation below 300 m (78.57 %); fewer were at elevation higher than 1,000 m (21.43 %). Two principal components accounted for 85.3 % of the total intersite variance. Simulium roslihashimi was found at almost every site, with a maximum relative humidity of 90 %. Simulium aureohirtum and S. vanluni were found at sites with relative humidity up to 73 %, but S. aureohirtum was found at higher temperatures (31 °C) compared with S. roslihashimi (28 °C) and S. vanluni (29 °C). The present study establishes the groundwork for further studies of wild adults in Malaysia and identifies the need to use more traps over the range of seasons and environmental conditions, particularly near breeding sites.

Determinants of eco-homestay among young adults in Malaysia

Determinants of eco-homestay among young adults in Malaysia

Direct healthcare expenditure on Alzheimer’s disease from healthcare providers’ perspective in Malaysia: a micro-costing approach

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an important geriatric disease that creates challenges in health policy planning. There is no previous attempt to quantify the actual direct healthcare cost of AD among older adults in Malaysia. This retrospective observational study with bottom-up micro-costing approach aimed to evaluate the direct healthcare expenditure on AD along with its potential predictors from healthcare providers’ perspective, conducted across six tertiary hospitals in Malaysia. AD patients aged 65 and above who received AD treatment between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2021 were included. Direct healthcare cost (DHC) of AD was estimated by extracting one-year follow-up information from patient medical records. As a result, 333 AD patients were included in the study. The mean DHC of AD was estimated RM2641.30 (USD 572.45) per patient per year (PPPY) from the healthcare payer’s perspective. Laboratory investigations accounted for 37.2% of total DHC, followed by clinic care (31.5%) and prescription medicine (24.9%). As disease severity increases, annual DHC increases from RM2459.04 (mild), RM 2642.27 (moderate), to RM3087.61 (severe) PPPY. Patients aged 81 and above recorded significantly higher annual DHC (p = 0.003). Such real-world estimates are important in assisting the process of formulating healthcare policies in geriatric care.

Cross-cultural comparison of the acceptance of insects as food among young adults in Malaysia and Japan

Abstract The growing world population raises concerns about food security, with increasing demand for animal protein often impacting scarce resources like land, water and energy. Edible insects have been proposed as an alternative protein source to address this issue. The study aimed to compare acceptance of insects as food and its association with food neophobia among young adults in Malaysia and Japan. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1954 subjects, comprising 1,071 Malaysians and 883 Japanese young adults. Subjects completed an online questionnaire on sociodemography, Food Neophobia Scale, and acceptance of insects as food. Chi-square, Wilcoxon signed rank post-hoc and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. Only 9.2% were willing to eat insects as food and 6.5% were ready to adopt eating insects in daily life. A higher proportion of Malaysians (10.5%) was willing to accept insects as food than Japanese (7.6%, ). However, Japanese (9.5%) were more ready to adopt eating insects in daily life than Malaysians (3.9%, ). Most subjects in both countries were in the neutral category of food neophobia, with no significant difference between countries. In Malaysia, the main reason for willingness to eat insects was food safety (11.5%), while in Japan it was caloric and nutritional value (17.8%). The main reason for unwillingness to eat insects in both countries was appearance (Malaysia: 17.1%; Japan: 27.9%). There was a significant association () between the acceptance of insects as food and the category of food neophobia, with lower acceptance associated with higher neophobia or vice versa. In conclusion, the acceptance of insects as food is low among young adults in Malaysia and Japan. A strategic marketing approach tailored to the reasons for acceptance could effectively promote entomophagy in both countries. Further studies should focus on transforming insects into more palatable forms.

Adapting Communication Technologies to Enhance Social Support and Lifelong Learning for Older Adults

This qualitative study, employing thematic analysis, aimed to examine the role of communication technologies in delivering social support and promoting lifelong learning among older adults in Malaysia. Social support is crucial for older adults, particularly those dealing with loneliness, depression, or physical and mental health challenges. With the advancement and widespread use of communication technologies, these supports can be enhanced. However, while older adults require such technological support, they must acquire the necessary skills to use these technologies independently. Lifelong learning becomes essential for older adults to stay updated with evolving technological developments. This article explores the social support needs of older adults in relation to communication technologies. Data were collected through focus group discussions (FGD) and semi-structured interviews with fifteen experts in relevant fields. Thematic Content Analysis (TCA), informed by social capital theory, was used to analyze the data. The study identifies eight forms of social support provided by communication technologies: four from social media and four from digital tools. The findings offer insights into the factors that shape the use and effectiveness of communication technologies in delivering social support and further lifelong learning among older adults. The results have both theoretical and practical implications for designing interventions aimed at improving social support and lifelong learning for older adults through communication technologies in Malaysia.

Cultural Adaptation and Validation of a Malay Version of the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) Among Older Adults in Malaysia.

The Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) is a tool designed to assess and quantify the impact of environmental factors on an individual's functioning and social participation. In this study, we aim to culturally adapt the CHIEF from its original English version into the Malay language (M-CHIEF) and examine its validity and reliability among older adults in Malaysia. The original CHIEF was cross-culturally adapted into the Malay language following the published guidelines on cross-cultural adaptation of health questionnaires. Its content and convergent validity were assessed using the content validity index and correlation with participants' gait speed, respectively. The reliability of M-CHIEF was assessed for its internal consistency using Cronbach's coefficient alpha and Cohen's kappa and its test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). The M-CHIEF was rated with excellent content validity with a scale-level content validity index (S-CVI) of 0.86. Its internal consistency was demonstrated to be high with Cronbach's alpha of 0.84. The test-retest reliability at a two-week interval showed a stable score of the M-CHIEF and its subscales with an ICC value of 0.89. The M-CHIEF is deemed relevant for use among Malay speakers. It can function as an instrument to quantify the environmental barriers of an individual while considering broad environmental factors including policy, physical/ structural, work/school, attitude/support, and services/assistance.

The development and the effectiveness of schema therapy on Malaysian female young adults who experienced continuous trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder

In Malaysia, most psychotherapies were introduced in the 1980s and 1990s. Unfortunately, the development and availability of new psychotherapies have been comparatively slower and neglected in Malaysia, particularly in the context of trauma-focused psychotherapy. A new therapeutic model, schema therapy, has been hypothesized as a potential alternative for trauma treatment. This study adapted schema therapy to be culturally specific for Malaysia and conducted an interventional randomized controlled trial to investigate its effectiveness. The study focused on female young adults in Malaysia who had experienced repeated and continuous trauma.The effectiveness of schema therapy was compared with Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Tf-CBT). Each group comprised 15 participants who received 16 one-hour therapy sessions over a span of 4 months. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were measured during the pre-test, post-test, and 3-month follow-up assessments. Additionally, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with participants from both the schema therapy and Tf-CBT groups to gain a deeper understanding of the differences between the two psychotherapeutic approaches.Both quantitative and qualitative analyses demonstrated that schema therapy exhibited superior short-term and long-term effectiveness compared to Tf-CBT in reducing PTSD symptoms. These findings support the viability of schema therapy as an effective option for addressing trauma in the Malaysian context.

The effect of financial stress on depression symptoms among working adults in Malaysia

The effect of financial stress on depression symptoms among working adults in Malaysia

Predictive value of the World falls guidelines algorithm within the AGELESS-MELoR cohort

AimThe World Falls Guidelines (WFG) Task Force published a falls risk stratification algorithm in 2022. However, its adaptability is uncertain in low- and middle-income settings such as Malaysia due to different risk factors and limited resources. We evaluated the effectiveness of the WFG risk stratification algorithm in predicting falls among community-dwelling older adults in Malaysia. MethodsData from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research subset of the Transforming Cognitive Frailty into Later-Life Self-Sufficiency cohort study was utilized. From 2013–2015, participants aged ≥55 years were selected from the electoral rolls of three parliamentary constituencies in Klang Valley. Risk categorisation was performed using baseline data. Falls prediction values were determined using follow-up data from wave 2 (2015–2016), wave 3 (2019) and wave 4 (2020–2022). ResultsOf 1,548 individuals recruited, 737 were interviewed at wave 2, 858 at wave 3, and 742 at wave 4. Falls were reported by 13.4 %, 29.8 % and 42.9 % of the low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups at wave 2, 19.4 %, 25.5 % and 32.8 % at wave 3, and 25.8 %, 27.7 % and 27.0 % at wave 4, respectively. At wave 2, the algorithm generated a sensitivity of 51.3 % (95 %CI, 43.1–59.2) and specificity of 80.1 % (95 %CI, 76.6–83.2). At wave 3, sensitivity was 29.4 % (95 %CI, 23.1–36.6) and specificity was 81.6 % (95 %CI, 78.5–84.5). At wave 4, sensitivity was 26.0 % (95 %CI, 20.2–32.8) and specificity was 78.4 % (95 %CI, 74.7–81.8). ConclusionThe algorithm has high specificity and low sensitivity in predicting falls, with decreasing sensitivity over time. Therefore, regular reassessments should be made to identify individuals at risk of falling.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Frailty Among Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Malaysia.

Frailty is identified in middle-aged and older adults, and frail individuals are vulnerable to dependency and poor health. In this study, we analyzed nationally representative data that includes 5592 participants aged 40 years and above to determine the prevalence and factors associated with frailty among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults in Malaysia. Using a 40-item Frailty Index, the overall prevalence of frailty and prefrailty was 19.5% and 64.1%, respectively. A total of 38.6% of older adults (≥60 years) were frail and 56.2% were prefrail. Among middle-aged adults (<60 years), the prevalence of frailty was 10.4% and that of prefrailty was 67.9%. Factors associated with frailty include older age, ethnicity, low education and income level, moderate to poor self-rated health, abdominal obesity, absence of a spouse, and previous history of falls. These findings may serve as evidence for the implementation of a frailty policy and health care planning in Malaysia.

Do Young Vapers Consider E-Cigarettes as Better than Tobacco Cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are battery operated devices that were designed to replicate smoking but in a less harmful manner. This is because e-cigarette usage or vaping is often associated with harm reduction as the e-liquids were said to contain lesser harmful chemical compounds compared to the ingredients exist in tobacco cigarettes. Furthermore, e-cigarettes are treated as a smoking cessation tool that could aid smokers who wish to quit smoking more effectively. This study was conducted to explore the beliefs of young adults in Malaysia about e-cigarettes. Ten undergraduate students who were pursuing their studies at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Perak aged from 18 to 25 years old were interviewed, whereby their experiences as vapers were recorded and analysed using Atlas.ti version 8. Findings showed that the beliefs of these young adults about e-cigarettes are closely associated with their experiences as e-cigarette users and smokers. Six themes emerged from the data analysis to explain the beliefs of young adults towards e-cigarettes, which are better alternative, e-liquid content, harm reduction, second-hand vaper, addiction, and satisfaction.

Drivers of, Barriers to, and Facilitators of Blood Donation among Muslim Young Adults in Malaysia

Drivers of, Barriers to, and Facilitators of Blood Donation among Muslim Young Adults in Malaysia

Relational aggression in romantic relationship: empirical evidence among young female adults in Malaysia

BackgroundAggressive behaviour in romantic relationship is a social problem of great concern. Studies related to the influence of psychosocial factors on relational aggression are still limited. Furthermore, these factors have not been widely studied in the local context, resulting in the issue of relational aggression among young female adults still not being addressed. This study aims to explore whether psychosocial factors such as big five personality traits, adult attachment style and loneliness could predict relational aggression in romantic relationships among young female adults in Malaysia. In addition, this study aims to identify the moderating effect of social support in the relationship between psychosocial factors and relational aggression in romantic relationship.MethodsA quantitative research approach was used with 424 young female adults in Malaysia aged between 18 and 30 years old (mean age = 24.18) were recruited through multistage sampling design by completing a questionnaire consisting of the Big Five Inventory (BFI), Experiences in Close Relationships Scale II (ECRS-II), Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, Measure of Relational Aggression and Victimization (MRAV) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).ResultsMultiple regression analysis predicted significant relationship between agreeableness personality, loneliness, avoidant attachment style and anxious attachment style with relational aggression in romantic relationships. Hierarchical regression analysis found a significant effect of social support as a moderator between loneliness with relational aggression in romantic relationships.ConclusionsThus, the results show that young female adults with low level of agreeableness, high level of loneliness, avoidant attachment style and anxious attachment style are at a higher risk of engaging in relational aggression in romantic relationships. The implication of this study can help in understanding the psychosocial factors that form the basis of relational aggression in romantic relationships. Hence, the gap in knowledge warrants further research.