Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 32 in total

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  1. Tan, Siew-Tin, Sherina Mohd-Sidik, Rampal, Lekhraj, Normala Ibrahim, Tan, Kit-Aun
    MyJurnal
    Overweight and obesity have become a serious health issue in worldwide and Malaysia is no exception. In view that obesity is one of the leading causes of non-communicable diseases, this systematic review aimed to explore whether Malaysian are getting fatter (overweight or obesity) and rounder (abdominal obesity). Searches of the published literature were conducted using 3 databases including EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PubMed. These were limited to cross-sectional or cohort studies in Malaysia. The databases provided the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity among 15 years old and above Malaysian population from 2009 to 2015. In total, 47 articles were included in this review. Findings exhibit that the prevalence rates of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity range from 9.5% to 43.5%, 1.77% to 26.4% and 11.4% to 57.4%, respectively. Overweight is more predominant among males. However, obesity and abdominal obesity are more predominant among females. This means that more females are getting fatter and “rounder” as compared to males in Malaysia. The findings imply a lack of intervention programmes based on proper randomized controlled trials which are needed to adequately address the problem of obesity in Malaysia.
  2. Qudsiah Suliman, Salmiah Md. Said, Nor Afiah Mohd. Zulkefli, Lim Poh Ying, Tan Kit-Aun
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Despite advancement of treatment modalities, Tuberculosis (TB) treatment interruption rate has glob- ally accelerating, calling for greater framework shifting towards psychosocial intervention. Similarly, Selangor state had reported the perturbing TB treatment interruption rate, which was figured persistently above 10% in the interval year of 2014 to 2018, thus signifies an empirical assessment on Information-Motivation-Behavioural skills (IMB) determinants of TB intensive phase treatment. This study aims to determine the time to intensive phase TB treatment interruption and its prognostic factors among newly diagnosed pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) smear positive patients in urban district Selangor. Methods: A multi-centric prospective cohort study will recruit 695 newly diagnosed PTB smear positive patients at treatment centres in urban districts, Selangor. This study will utilize validated self-admin- istered questionnaire and standardised data collection form (PROFORMA). At baseline, we will elicit information on IMB models constructs, additionally on socio-demographics, health service factors and clinical characteristics. Meanwhile, four points follow up will be executed to retrieve information on treatment status and time varying effects of body weight, treatment side effects, symptoms improvement and internalised stigma. Finally, survival analysis will be computed to identify the time to intensive phase treatment interruption and its prognostic factors. Conclusion: This study will enlighten IMB model determinants of intensive phase treatment interruption, hence to endeavour psychosocial elements in designing time relevant public health strategies in TB case management.
  3. Tan KA, Fernandez A
    Psychiatr Rehabil J, 2018 Dec;41(4):336-340.
    PMID: 29939040 DOI: 10.1037/prj0000308
    OBJECTIVE: Without a reliable and valid tool, it is neither possible to gauge recovery orientation of persons with serious mental illness nor to evaluate whether existing mental health system encourages recovery in both its policies and current practice in Malaysia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the reliability and factor structure of the Malay version of the Recovery Self-Assessment (RSA-PIRV-M) in a psychiatric sample.

    METHOD: Psychiatric patients were eligible for recruitment to the study, when they fulfilled the following criteria: a diagnosis of schizophrenia, were aged between 18- and 65-years-old, and were able to give consent themselves. We recruited 118 individuals with schizophrenia. They were selected via systematic random sampling technique. All RSA-PIRV-M items were derived from the parent scale. These items were translated based on established procedures. The reliability estimates of the RSA-PIRV-M were based on Cronbach's alpha. We performed confirmatory factor analyses to examine the factor structure of the RSA-PIRV-M.

    RESULTS: All Cronbach's alphas for the RSA-PIRV-M subscales were at least .70. With respect to the factor structure of the RSA-PIRV-M, our structural equation modeling findings suggest a five-factor model encompassing life goals, involvement, diversity of treatment options, choice, and individually-tailored services.

    CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The interpretation of our findings is limited by small sample size, unique sample characteristics, and lack of further evidence for convergent validity. Notwithstanding these limitations, the RSA-PIRV-M is a promising tool in bridging gaps between our knowledge on recovery orientation and existing mental health service provision in Malaysia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

  4. Siddrah Irfan, Nor Sheereen Zulkefly, Tan Kit Aun, Siti Irma Fadhillah Ismail
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Negative automatic thoughts refer to subconscious thinking patterns in response to irrational and self-defeating stimuli. Individuals who are depressed tend to have biased negative automatic thoughts. Therefore, there is a need to refine our understanding of what contributes to the development of adolescent depressive symp- toms. The current study examined the mediating role of negative automatic thoughts in the link between maternal attachment and depressive symptoms among late adolescents in Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study fo- cused on 936 (males=423, females=513) students aged 17 to 19 years old, who were selected through multistage cluster sampling technique. Respondents answered self-report questionnaires which assessed maternal attachment, depressive symptoms, and negative automatic thoughts. Structural equation modelling was utilised to analyse the relationships among the research variables. Results: The findings indicated that 39.3% had negative automatic thoughts; whereas, 5.6% experienced severe depressive symptoms. Correlational analysis showed that maternal attachment had a negative association with depressive symptoms and negative automatic thoughts. In contrast, de- pressive symptoms were positively related to negative automatic thoughts. Structural analysis revealed that negative automatic thoughts partially mediated the association of maternal attachment with depressive symptoms among late adolescents. Findings specifically demonstrated that those with insecure maternal attachment tend to have negative automatic thoughts, which subsequently lead to depressive symptoms. Conclusion: In conclusion, findings highlight the importance of secure attachment to the mother and positive automatic thoughts in combating depressive symp- toms; thus ensuring a healthy psychological development for adolescents.
  5. Ang RP, Tan KA, Talib Mansor A
    J Interpers Violence, 2011 Sep;26(13):2619-34.
    PMID: 21156699 DOI: 10.1177/0886260510388286
    The current study examined normative beliefs about aggression as a mediator between narcissistic exploitativeness and cyberbullying using two Asian adolescent samples from Singapore and Malaysia. Narcissistic exploitativeness was significantly and positively associated with cyberbullying and normative beliefs about aggression and normative beliefs about aggression were significantly and positively associated with cyberbullying. Normative beliefs about aggression were a significant partial mediator in both samples; these beliefs about aggression served as one possible mechanism of action by which narcissistic exploitativeness could exert its influence on cyberbullying. Findings extended previous empirical research by showing that such beliefs can be the mechanism of action not only in offline but also in online contexts and across cultures. Cyberbullying prevention and intervention efforts should include modification of norms and beliefs supportive of the legitimacy and acceptability of cyberbullying.
  6. Qudsiah Suliman, Salmiah Md. Said, Lim Poh Ying, Nor Afiah Mohd. Zukefli, Tan Kit-Aun, Alif Ramli, et al.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Evidently, stigma has potentially prompted the negative outcome in Tuberculosis (TB) control through delayed diagnosis and poor adherence to treatment. Amidst accelerating treatment interruption in Selangor, little attention is paid to the quantitative assessment of stigma, thus warrant further characterisation of TB stigma in ur-ban districts, Selangor. This study aimed to determine the predictors of internalised stigma among newly diagnosed PTB smear positive in urban districts, Selangor. Methods: A multi-centric longitudinal study recruited 345 newly diagnosed PTB smear positive patients who started TB treatment from November 2018 until June 2019. Baseline assessments utilised pre-tested self-administered questionnaire and standardised data collection form. Using IBM SPSS version 25.0, multiple linear regression was computed to determine the predictors. Results: The response rate was 84.7% with most of respondents were married and attained educational level up to secondary school. Other than low mean score of social support [mean (SD)=33.39(5.86)], the prominent findings were lacking knowledge of anti-TB side effect and wrongly perceived damaging effect of anti-TB drug to internal organ. The mean internalised stigma score was 24.88 (SD=4.70), which predicted by age, educational level (no formal education), employment status (retiree), alternative medicine practice, baseline symptoms score, perceived barrier, and social support, with entire group of variables significantly predicted TB stigma (F [9, 331] =21.476, p
  7. Wong YS, Zulkefly NS, Tan KA
    Int J Adolesc Med Health, 2020 Jun 08;33(6):493-500.
    PMID: 32549164 DOI: 10.1515/ijamh-2019-0228
    OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to examine the mediational role of maladaptive cognitive schema in the association between stressful life events, which are operationalised as major (i. e. negative life events) and minor (i. e. daily hassles) life stressors, and depressive symptoms among adolescents.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted to recruit participants across four selected states of Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka and Selangor in Peninsular Malaysia. This study involved a total of 1,032 adolescents from 25 government secondary schools, identified using probability proportional to size cluster sampling technique. Data were collected through a self-report questionnaire.

    RESULTS: Using structural equation modelling analyses, findings revealed a full mediation effect of maladaptive cognitive schema between negative life events and depressive symptoms, and a partial mediation effect between daily hassles and depressive symptoms.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study provided valuable insights about the significance of maladaptive cognitive schema as a mediator in the stress-depression association and advanced the understanding of mechanism underlying development of depressive symptoms among adolescents in Malaysia. Findings also benefit the clinical practice in the development of targeted depression prevention and intervention programs.

  8. Ragupathi D, Ibrahim N, Tan KA, Andrew BN
    PMID: 33003445 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17197131
    The present cross-sectional study examined the relations of bedtime mobile phone use to cognitive functioning, academic performance, and sleep quality in a sample of undergraduate students. Three hundred eighty-five undergraduate students completed a self-administered questionnaire containing sociodemographic variables, bedtime mobile phone use, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (attention and verbal memory). At bivariate level, increased scores in bedtime mobile phone use were significantly correlated with decreased scores in academic performance and sleep quality. Our multivariate findings show that increased scores in bedtime mobile phone use uniquely predicted decreased scores in academic performance and sleep quality, while controlling for gender, age, and ethnicity. Further untangling the relations of bedtime mobile phone use to academic performance and sleep quality may prove complex. Future studies with longitudinal data are needed to examine the bidirectional effect that bedtime mobile phone use may have on academic performance and sleep quality.
  9. Tee JYH, Gan WY, Tan KA, Chin YS
    PLoS One, 2018;13(4):e0195934.
    PMID: 29664932 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195934
    The understanding on the roles of obesity and lifestyle behaviors in predicting executive function of adolescents has been limited. Low executive function proficiency may have adverse effects on adolescents' school academic performance. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationship between BMI-for-age and multiple lifestyle behaviors (operationalized as meal consumption, physical activity, and sleep quality) with executive function (operationalized as inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) on a sample of Malaysian adolescents aged between 12 and 16 years (N = 513). Participants were recruited from two randomly selected schools in the state of Selangor in Malaysia. Using a self-administered questionnaire, parent participants provided information concerning their sociodemographic data, whereas adolescent participants provided information regarding their meal consumptions, physical activity, and sleep quality. The modified Harvard step test was used to assess adolescents' aerobic fitness, while Stroop color-word, digit span, and trail-making tests were used to assess adolescents' inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, respectively. Three separate hierarchical regression analyses were conducted for each outcome namely, inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. After adjusted for sociodemographic factors and BMI-for-age, differential predictors of inhibition and working memory were found. Habitual sleep efficiency significantly and positively predicted inhibition. Regular dinner intakes, physical activity levels, and sleep quality significantly and positively predicted working memory. Household income emerged as a consistent predictor for all executive function domains. In conclusion, an increased trend of obesity and unhealthy lifestyles among adolescents were found to be associated with poorer executive function. Regular dinner intakes, higher physical activity levels and better sleep quality predicted better executive function despite the inverse relationship between obesity and executive function. Future studies may explore how lifestyle modifications can optimize the development of executive function in adolescents as well as relieve the burden of obesity.
  10. Ping Pang NT, Masiran R, Tan KA, Kassim A
    Perspect Psychiatr Care, 2020 Jul;56(3):649-656.
    PMID: 32017137 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12481
    PURPOSE: Psychological mindedness (PM) can partly explain depressive symptoms in caregivers of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This cross-sectional study examines PM in mediating the relationship between dysfunctional coping styles and depressive symptoms.

    DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred fifty-five adult ASD caregivers completed the Malay version of Brief COPE, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Balanced Index of PM.

    FINDINGS: Direct paths between dysfunctional coping style and depressive symptoms, between insight and depressive symptoms, and between dysfunctional coping style and all PM variables (insight and interest) were obtained. Multiple regression analyses revealed that insight, but not interest, significantly mediates the relationship between dysfunctional coping and depressive symptoms.

    PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: PM can be enhanced via psychological interventions.

  11. Pheh KS, Tan KA, Ibrahim N, Sidik SM
    PMID: 33573341 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18031257
    Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a common neurodevelopmental disorder, often persists into adulthood. In Malaysia, the prevalence rate of hyperactivity symptoms is highest among Chinese Malaysians. There are limited evidence-based treatment options targeting the core symptoms of ADHD, as well as executive functioning. In addition, conventional psychotherapeutic approaches for adults with ADHD have been found to be highly labor-intensive. The present study will evaluate the effectiveness of an online mindfulness-based intervention to reduce inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity and improve executive functioning among Chinese Malaysian college emerging adults with ADHD. Informed by established literature, we will design an 8-week online mindfulness-based intervention (i.e., iMBI). We will conduct a two-arm randomized controlled trial comparing an iMBI plus treatment-as-usual group (n = 54) and an enhanced treatment-as-usual control group (n = 54). Outcome measures of inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and executive functioning will be collected at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 1-month post-intervention. The findings of the present study will not only demonstrate the implementation of iMBI as a new treatment modality but also inform practitioners on the effectiveness of iMBI in reducing the burden of adults living with ADHD.
  12. Subhas N, Ang JK, Tan KA, Ahmad SNA
    Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract, 2023 Sep;27(3):219-231.
    PMID: 36448673 DOI: 10.1080/13651501.2022.2149415
    OBJECTIVE: The present study examined the relations between clinical characteristics and cognitive deficits in adult patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) from a local outpatient psychiatric clinic in Malaysia.

    METHODS: The present sample included 110 participants aged 20-60 years old. Participants were invited to provide their information on sociodemographic variables (age, gender, and educational level) and clinical characteristics (age at onset of depression and duration of illness) and to complete a series of cognitive performance measures including the Trail Making Tests A (psychomotor speed) and B (executive function), the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (attention), and the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (immediate free recall, acquisition phase, and delayed recall). The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Version 6.0 was used to confirm the diagnosis of MDD and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale was used to assess illness severity.

    RESULTS: At the bivariate level, relations of age and educational level to all cognitive deficit domains were significant. At the multivariate level, only educational level and illness severity consistently and significantly predicted all cognitive deficits domains.

    CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic modalities should be individualised whilst considering the impacts of cognitive deficits in an attempt to prevent further deterioration in psychosocial functioning of MDD patients.KEY POINTSCognitive deficits are an elemental component of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) persisting during a current major depressive episode or during remission, altering individuals' ability to process information and changes the way they perceive and interact with the environment.Cognitive deficits in MDD are evident among the upper-middle income groups in South-Eastern Asian countries warranting more local research as such deficits could lead to functional decline and work performance such as absenteeism and presenteeism.Therapeutic modalities should be individualised by taking the impacts of cognitive deficits into consideration to promote psychosocial functioning of MDD patients.

  13. Mansor N, Ahmad N, Md Said S, Tan KA, Sutan R
    J Med Internet Res, 2023 Oct 20;25:e48968.
    PMID: 37862090 DOI: 10.2196/48968
    BACKGROUND: Sexting refers to the exchange of sexually explicit digital content in the form of texts, photos, or videos. In recent years, sexting has become a public health concern. Surveys in Malaysia show a high prevalence of young adults engaged in sexting. Given that sexting is associated with sexual risk behavior, cyberbullying, and mental health issues, this behavior needs intervention to alleviate the resulting public health burden. However, there is a scarcity of theory-based intervention programs on the prevention of intention and willingness to sext among young adults.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and implement a sexting intervention module guided by the prototype willingness model (PWM), delivered using web-based animated video, and evaluate its effectiveness among diploma students from a public higher educational institution. The primary outcomes were intention and willingness to sext, while the secondary outcomes were knowledge, attitude, perceived norms, and prototype perceptions of sexting.

    METHODS: This 2-armed, parallel, single-blinded cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in a public higher educational institution in the state of Melaka, Malaysia. Diploma students from 12 programs were randomly allocated into intervention and control groups. Both groups answered a self-administered web-based questionnaire assessing the outcomes at the baseline. The intervention group received a newly developed intervention module based on the PWM in the form of 5 animated videos posted on a private YouTube platform, while the control group was put on the waitlist. The intervention group was encouraged to discuss any issues raised with the researchers via WhatsApp private chat after viewing the videos. All participants were observed immediately and 3 months postintervention. Data analysis was performed with SPSS (version 26; IBM Corp). A generalized linear mixed model was used to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.

    RESULTS: There were a total of 300 participants with an attrition rate of 8.3% (n=25). After adjusting for age, sex, relationship status, and the amount of time spent on the web, there were significant differences in the intention to sext (β=-.12; P=.002; Cohen d=0.23), willingness to sext (β=-.16; P

  14. Yew SQ, Tan KA, Nazan AINM, Manaf RA
    PMID: 38057094 DOI: 10.1265/ehpm.23-00223
    BACKGROUND: Non-adherence to anti-hypertensive medications can lead to hypertension-related complications. One of the most effective preventive measures to mitigate these complications is to understand the underlying determinants of medication non-adherence using various scales. Unfortunately, existing scales for measuring non-adherence to anti-hypertensive medications have certain limitations, such as insufficient consideration of validity, dimensionality, and cultural adaptation. In response, the current study aimed to develop and validate a measure of non-adherence to anti-hypertensive medications-known as the Malaysian Anti-hypertensive Agent Non-Adherence Scale (MAANS)-for use in local hypertensive patients.

    METHODS: A two-phase mixed-methods approach was used. Phase 1 involved qualitative interviews with hypertensive patients from two health clinics in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The themes extracted from these interviews were used to generate items for the MAANS. In Phase 2, data from 213 participants were analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to establish the scale's factor structure, thereby created the modified version of the MAANS. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was then conducted on a separate dataset of 205 participants to confirm the factor structure, resulted in the final version of the MAANS. The reliability of the final MAANS version was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The MAANS scores were used to predict subscales of the Malay version of the WHO Quality-of-Life (QOL) BREF, demonstrating the scale's predictive validity.

    RESULTS: Ten qualitative interviews yielded 73 items. The EFA produced a modified MAANS with 21 items grouped into five factors. However, the CFA retained three factors in the final scale: Perceived Non-Susceptibility, Poor Doctor-Patient Relationship, and Unhealthy Lifestyle. The final 14-item, 3-factor MAANS demonstrated moderate reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.64) and exhibited partial predictive validity, with the Poor Doctor-Patient Relationship and Unhealthy Lifestyle subscales significantly predicting Social QOL and Environmental QOL.

    CONCLUSION: The MAANS is a reliable, valid, and multidimensional scale specifically developed to evaluate non-adherence to anti-hypertensive medications in local clinical settings with the potential to further the advancement of research and practice in sociomedical and preventive medicine.

  15. Yee A, Yassim AR, Loh HS, Ng CG, Tan KA
    BMC Psychiatry, 2015;15:200.
    PMID: 26286597 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-015-0587-6
    BACKGROUND: This study examines the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the Montgomery-Ǻsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-BM).
    METHODS: A total of 150 participants with (n = 50) and without depression (n = 100) completed the self-rated version of the Montgomery-Ǻsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S), the Malay versions of the MADRS-BM, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II-M), the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), and the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS-M).
    RESULTS: With respect to dimensionality of the MADRS-BM, we obtained one factor solution. With respect to reliability, we found that internal consistency was satisfactory. The scale demonstrated excellent parallel form reliability. The one-week test-retest reliability was good. With respect to validity, positive correlations between the MADRS-BM, BDI-II-M, and the GHQ and negative correlation between the MADRS-BM and SHAPS-M provide initial evidence of MADRS-BM's concurrent validity. After adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, educational level, and marital status, individuals with depression significantly reported higher MADRS-BM scores than did individuals without depression. Hence, there is additional evidence for concurrent validity of the MADRS-BM. Cut-off score of 4 distinguished individuals with depression from individuals without depression with a sensitivity of 78 % and a specificity of 86 %.
    CONCLUSIONS: The MADRS-BM demonstrated promising psychometric properties in terms of dimensionality, reliability, and validity that generally justifies its use in routine clinical practice in Malaysia.
  16. Suhaimi AF, Ibrahim N, Tan KA, Silim UA, Moore G, Ryan B, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2020 02 16;10(2):e033920.
    PMID: 32066607 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033920
    INTRODUCTION: People with diabetes are often associated with multifaceted factors and comorbidities. Diabetes management frameworks need to integrate a biopsychosocial, patient-centred approach. Despite increasing efforts in promotion and diabetes education, interventions integrating both physical and mental health components are still lacking in Malaysia. The Optimal Health Programme (OHP) offers an innovative biopsychosocial framework to promote overall well-being and self-efficacy, going beyond education alone and has been identified as relevant within the primary care system. Following a comprehensive cultural adaptation process, Malaysia's first OHP was developed under the name 'Pohon Sihat' (OHP). The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the mental health-based self-management and wellness programme in improving self-efficacy and well-being in primary care patients with diabetes mellitus.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This biopsychosocial intervention randomised controlled trial will engage patients (n=156) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from four primary healthcare clinics in Putrajaya. Participants will be randomised to either OHP plus treatment as usual. The 2-hour weekly sessions over five consecutive weeks, and 2-hour booster session post 3 months will be facilitated by trained mental health practitioners and diabetes educators. Primary outcomes will include self-efficacy measures, while secondary outcomes will include well-being, anxiety, depression, self-care behaviours and haemoglobin A1c glucose test. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, immediately postintervention, as well as at 3 months and 6 months postintervention. Where appropriate, intention-to-treat analyses will be performed.

    ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has ethics approval from the Medical Research and Ethics Committee, Ministry of Health Malaysia (NMRR-17-3426-38212). Study findings will be shared with the Ministry of Health Malaysia and participating healthcare clinics. Outcomes will also be shared through publication, conference presentations and publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03601884.

  17. Ling SL, Nik Jaafar NR, Tan KA, Bahar N, Baharudin A, Ahmad Tajjudin AI
    PMID: 33807598 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052592
    In recent years, increased interest in Internet Gaming Disorder has led to the development of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form. Translation and subsequent validation of such a scale are important for cross-cultural use. The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties (factor structure, reliability, and validity) of the Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form using a sample of Malaysian undergraduates. The present sample included 137 Malaysian undergraduates. Participants completed a self-administered online survey containing demographic items, the Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form, the Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire-Short Form, and the Malay Version of the Internet Addiction Test. The present findings confirm the one-factor model of the Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form. Good reliability, as measured by Cronbach alpha, was found for the Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form. The Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form has demonstrated concurrent validity by significantly correlating with the Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire-Short Form as well as demonstrated convergent validity with respect to the Malay Version of the Internet Addiction Test. The Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form is a reliable and valid tool for assessing Internet Gaming Disorder in Malaysian undergraduates. As more research is still needed to confirm the status of Internet Gaming Disorder as a formal disorder, it is hoped that the Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form can facilitate future research examining antecedents and consequences of Internet Gaming Disorder in a Malaysian setting.
  18. Nurliyana AR, Mohd Shariff Z, Mohd Taib MN, Gan WY, Tan KA
    BMC Pediatr, 2016 Sep 29;16(1):160.
    PMID: 27687906
    The first 2 years of life is a critical period of rapid growth and brain development. During this period, nutrition and environmental factors play important roles in growth and cognitive development of a child. This report describes the study protocol of early nutrition, growth and cognitive development of infants from birth to 2 years of age.
  19. Fernandez A, Tan KA, Knaak S, Chew BH, Ghazali SS
    Acad Psychiatry, 2016 Dec;40(6):905-911.
    PMID: 27527730
    OBJECTIVE:
    If presented with serious mental illness (SMI), individuals' low help-seeking behaviors and poor adherence to treatment are associated with negative stereotypes and attitudes of healthcare providers. In this study, we examined the effects of a brief psychoeducational program on reducing stigma in pre-clinical medical students.

    METHODS: One hundred and two pre-clinical medical students (20-23 years old) were randomly assigned to face-to-face contact + educational lecture (n = 51) condition or video-based contact + educational lecture (n = 51) condition. Measures of pre-clinical medical students' mental illness-related stigma using the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers (OMS-HC) were administered at pre-, post-treatment, and 1-month follow-up.
    RESULTS: A 2 (condition: face-to-face contact + educational lecture, video-based contact + educational lecture) by 3 (time: pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 1-month follow-up) mixed model MANOVA was conducted on the Attitudes, Disclosure and Help-Seeking, and Social Distance OMS-HC subscales. Participants' scores on all subscales changed significantly across time, regardless of conditions. To determine how participants' scores changed significantly over time on each subscale, Bonferroni follow-up comparisons were performed to access pairwise differences for the main effect of time. Specifically, pairwise comparisons produced a significant reduction in Social Distance subscale between pre-treatment and post-treatment and between pre-treatment and 1-month follow-up, and a significant increase between post-treatment and 1-month follow-up, regardless of conditions. With respect to the Attitudes and Disclosure and Help-Seeking subscales, pairwise comparisons produced a significant reduction in scores between pre-treatment and post-treatment and a significant increase between post-treatment and 1-month follow-up.
    CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide additional evidence that educational lecture on mental illness, coupled with either face-to-face contact or video-based contact, is predictive of positive outcomes in anti-stigma programs targeting future healthcare providers.
    KEYWORDS: Face-to-face contact; Stigma; Video-based contact
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