Malaysian Young Adults Research Articles

Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Its Relationship with Diet Quality Among Malaysian Young Adults

The global rise in ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption presents potential public health challenges. UPFs, laden with additives and extensively marketed, are increasingly prevalent in modern diets. However, there is limited research on UPF consumption among Malaysian young adults, particularly its relationship with diet quality. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between UPF consumption and diet quality among 177 young adults aged 18 to 29 years from Terengganu, Johor, and Perak. A two-day 24-hour dietary recall was used to assess UPF intake, classified by the NOVA system, while diet quality was evaluated using the Standardised-Malaysian Healthy Eating Index (S-MHEI). The S-MHEI was adopted with the scores for each food group (adequacy component) calculated according to the recommended servings per food group expressed per 1,000 kcaL. Statistical analyses, including Spearman correlation, were conducted using SPSS version 25 to determine the relationship between UPF consumption and diet quality with statistical significance set at p<0.05. The median total energy intake was 1,417 kcaL (IQR=735.38), with UPFs contributing 38.6% of this intake. The median S-MHEI score was 44.65 (IQR=12.77), indicating that 74.6% of participants had poor diet quality. Statistical analysis found no significant relationship between UPF consumption and diet quality (p=0.395). Although no significant association was found, this study lays the groundwork for further research on nutrition and health among Malaysian young adults.

Exploring the interplay between dreams, Early Maladaptive Schemas and demanding parenting style in Malaysia: A qualitative study

The demanding parenting style is a dysfunctional parenting behaviour which involves strict rules, overprotectiveness, high standards, and little affection or emotional support. It is commonly found in the Asian community. Extensive studies have suggested that this parenting style would contribute to various severe impacts, which include the development of early maladaptive schemas (EMS). Interestingly, EMS has been found to represent itself in dreams through themes and symbols. With this, the current study employed qualitative interviews to analyse the relationship between EMS and dreams in eight Malaysian young adults who experienced demanding parenting styles. The current study found that a demanding parenting style is associated with six EMS, which are (1) abuse/mistrust, (2) failure, (3) pessimism/negativity, (4) unrelenting standard/hypercriticalness, (5) approval seeking/recognition seeking, and (6) social isolation/alienation. These EMS manifested themselves in dreams. Based on these findings, the use of EMS in dream analysis has the potential to be an effective mediator to understand and explore the individuals’ past history.

Perceived effectiveness of celebrities and online influencers in advertising endorsement among Malaysian young adults

Purpose With the emergence of social media, online influencers have played a major role in brand marketing. This study aims to examine how Malaysian young adults perceive advertising endorsements of celebrities and online influencers within the framework of parasocial relations and multiculturalism. Design/methodology/approach This study engaged 42 Malaysian young adults aged 18–24 in semistructured interviews. They were asked to share a television commercial with celebrity endorsement and explain why it was impressive. They were then asked explicitly to compare traditional celebrities and online influencers in terms of attractiveness, credibility and endorsement effects. Findings Advertising execution strategies and emotional attachment to advertising endorsers are the two main reasons for making an advertisement impressive. Interviewees demonstrate strong emotional attachments to celebrities who are national icons. Online influencers are perceived as more relatable, authentic and credible than traditional celebrities. Interviewees perceive that endorsements by traditional celebrities were more effective for luxurious brands and brands targeting older consumers. On the other hand, endorsements by online influencers were perceived to be more effective for low-involvement product categories and brands that target younger consumers. Research limitations/implications This study presents a summary of the parallel perceptions of online influencers and celebrities to explain how young consumers evaluate advertising with celebrity and social media influencer endorsement. Practical implications Malaysian young adults perceive endorsers as people who guide their experiences with ads. Adopting an endorser who is young, has a trendy image, and has a similar cultural background enhances the relatability of ads for young adults. National sports heroes can serve as nation-building agents through celebrity endorsement in advertising. Originality/value Few studies directly compare the endorsement effects of celebrities and online influencers in a multicultural setting. This study provides marketing and theoretical insights to unravel the influencing mechanism of parasocial relations and multiculturalism.

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.

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.

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.

Determinants of eco-homestay among young adults in Malaysia

Determinants of eco-homestay among young adults in Malaysia

Knowledge, attitude regarding osteoporosis, dietary calcium intake and food sources of calcium among Chinese young adults in Klang Valley, Malaysia

BackgroundOsteoporosis is a major public health issue with huge socioeconomic implications. Adequate knowledge and a positive attitude regarding osteoporosis with sufficient dietary calcium intake are important to prevent osteoporosis, especially in young adults. Nonetheless, data on the knowledge and attitude regarding osteoporosis, dietary calcium intake and its food sources among the high-risk population, including Malaysian Chinese are limited.ObjectiveThe study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitude regarding osteoporosis, dietary calcium intake, and food sources of calcium among young Malaysian Chinese.MethodsA total of 130 Malaysian Chinese aged 18 to 26 years living in Klang Valley were recruited. Knowledge and attitude regarding osteoporosis were assessed using the Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Tool (OPAAT) and Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS). Dietary calcium intake and food sources were obtained from a 7-day diet history.ResultsParticipants had low knowledge regarding osteoporosis (48.8% ± 16.6), but moderate knowledge (53.2% ± 17.9) regarding preventive measures of osteoporosis. The median dietary calcium intake was 546 mg/day and only 6.2% of the participants achieved the Recommended Nutrients Intake (RNI). There was a discernible weak positive correlation between knowledge and dietary calcium intake (r = 0.192, p = 0.029).ConclusionYoung Malaysian Chinese adults exhibited low knowledge about osteoporosis and reported inadequate dietary calcium intake. Thus, there is a need for community-based health education programs focusing on osteoporosis awareness among Malaysian young adults.

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.

Relationship between Social Media Engagement and Body Shaming among Malaysian Young Adults

Relationship between Social Media Engagement and Body Shaming among Malaysian Young Adults

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.

Relationship Between Personality Traits and Coping Styles among Malaysian Young Adults

Relationship Between Personality Traits and Coping Styles among Malaysian Young Adults

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

Exploring factors acceptance of Mobile Learning Application for Humanistic Buddhism Learning among Malaysian Young Adult

Exploring factors acceptance of Mobile Learning Application for Humanistic Buddhism Learning among Malaysian Young Adult

Factors Associated with the Health-Related Quality of Life of Malaysian Young Adults Post-Pandemic.

The transition from school to university brings significant adjustments in lifestyle, body weight, and living environment for young adults, potentially impacting their quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have exacerbated these changes. This cross-sectional study involved 361 young adults (18-25 years) from Malaysian tertiary institutions, aiming to identify factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) post-COVID-19 restrictions. Data were collected online between April and July 2022, utilizing the WHOQOL-BREF for HRQOL assessment. Participants, with a median age of 23, scored highest in the physical health domain (mean: 63.2, SD = 16.2) and lowest in psychological health (mean: 58.2, SD = 16.9). Physical health domain scores varied by ethnicity, the field of study, weight category, and prescription medicine usage; environmental health scores by ethnicity and household income; and social health scores by age. Moderate perceived stress and low perceived support were significant predictors of poor HRQOL. Across the weight categories, sleep quality, perceived stress, and support have consistently impacted the HRQOL domain scores. This study underscores the multifaceted influences on young adults' quality of life during the transition to university, especially in post-pandemic adjustments, highlighting the importance of addressing factors such as perceived stress and support to enhance overall well-being.

Association of mobile health applications usage with eating behaviour and physical activity among young adults in Malaysia

Mobile health applications (mHealth Apps) are useful technology for personal health management. However, evidence in health improvement is lacking in mHealth Apps usage with eating behaviour and physical activity (PA) in Malaysia. This study aims to investigate the association between mHealth Apps usage with eating behaviour and PA among young adults with different Body Mass Indices (BMI) in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted. 280 samples were recruited using convenience sampling. An online questionnaire comprised of sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometry measurements, mindful eating behaviour questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and acceptance of mHealth Apps use were distributed. Among the 280 respondents (78.2% female, 18–28-year-old, BMI=21.5±3.79kg/m2), 22.1% were mHealth Apps users. Underweight respondents had the highest mindful eating behaviour score (2.84±0.25), while lowest in obesity Class II (2.57±0.06). Majority of the respondents (68.6%) were not practicing sedentary lifestyle (sitting<8hours). Underweight and obesity Class I respondents were inactive, whereas normal weight and overweight were moderately active. Besides, there is a significant mean difference between mHealth Apps usage with eating behaviour (p=0.048), but not PA level (p=0.134) and sedentary behaviour (p=0.759). The six motivating factors that significantly (p<0.05) influence the acceptance of mHealth Apps usage were: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, facilitating conditions, self-efficacy, and behavioural intention to adopt. The mHealth Apps usage is associated with eating behaviour but not physical activity. Our findings suggested potential for related stakeholders to promote mHealth Apps targeting in young adults to improve health outcome.

Internet addiction and its relationship with food choice motives and the risk of eating disorders among young adults in Malaysia

The COVID-19 lockdown measures have dramatically altered the daily routines of young adults. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the relationships between internet addiction, food choice motives and the risk of eating disorders in young adults during the transition to the endemic phase of COVID-19. The Internet Addiction Test was utilised to evaluate the presence and severity of internet addiction among young adults. The Food Choice Questionnaire was employed to assess the food choice motives of young adults, while the risk of eating disorders was determined using the Eating Attitude Test-26. The relationships between internet addiction, food choice motives, and the risk of eating disorders were assessed using model 4 of the PROCESS macro for SPSS. The findings indicated that 29.0% of young adults experienced moderate-to-severe internet addiction, whereas 32.6% were at risk of eating disorders. Young adults were highly valued for the price, sensory appeal, and mood when deciding food choices. The relationship between internet addiction and the risk of eating disorders was partially mediated by convenience (b = − 0.211, SE = 0.140, − 0.548 to − 0.016) and familiarity (b = 0.219, SE = 0.122, 0.019 to 0.494). A significant direct effect was also observed between internet addiction and the risk of eating disorders (B = 0.793, p = 0.017). There is an urgent need to implement intervention strategies aimed at reducing problematic internet use, promoting healthier food choices, and fostering healthy eating habits among young adults.

A Survey On Physical Activity Monitoring (PAM) Among Malaysian Young Adults

Background: Physical Activity Monitoring (PAM) is used effectively to encourage and promote an increased level of Physical Activity (PA) in young adults. The aim of this study was to determine the status of PAM and to identify the type of monitoring method being used among young adults in Malaysia is avoid health risks. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the data collection was based on a validated customized questionnaire carried out by sending it online via email, WhatsApp, and Facebook with an explanation of the research background, including the link of the survey questionnaires to the respondents. Results: A total of 400 participants completed this survey and most participants were in the age range between 25-29 and 50.7% were males. Nearly half of the participants (61.0%) declared that they were monitoring their PA regularly and smartwatches (20.5%) are the most preferable type for PAM. Conclusion: In this survey, it can be concluded that more awareness needs to be created on the importance of PAM among young adults as nearly another half of the participants surveyed that they were not monitoring their regular PA to follow a healthy lifestyle.