Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 106 in total

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  1. Does exercise habit strength moderate the relationship between emotional distress and short-term memory in Malaysian primary school children?
    Zainol NA, Hashim HA
    Psychol Health Med, 2015;20(4):495-502.
    PMID: 25196807 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2014.955034
    We examined the moderating effects of exercise habit strength on the relationship between emotional distress and short-term memory in primary school children.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology*
  2. Fulltext Psychological problems and psychosocial predictors of cigarette smoking behavior among undergraduate students in Malaysia
    Saravanan C, Heidhy I
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2014;15(18):7629-34.
    PMID: 25292039
    BACKGROUND: Cigarette smokers have their own motivation and justification to smoke. For example, smoking reduces their stress or enhances their pleasure. This study aimed to identify the (a) prevalence of cigarette smokers among undergraduates in Malaysia, (b) gender differences in nicotine dependence among current smokers, (c) differences in psychological problems (depression, anxiety and stress) based on the status of smoking cigarettes (current, former and non-smokers) and (d) extent to which precipitating factors (tension reduction, addiction, automatism, handling, social interaction, pleasure, and stimulation) predict the smoking behavior among current smokers.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study 780 undergraduate students participated from a private university in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor state in Malaysia. The Depression, Stress and Anxiety Scale, Modified Reason for Smoking Scale and Fagerstrom Nicotine Dependence Test were used to measure psychological problems, predictors of smoking behavior and nicotine dependency among current smokers.

    RESULTS: The results showed that 14.7%(n=106) of the students were smokers. Current smokers exhibited more psychological problems (depression, anxiety and stress) compared to former and non-smokers. Addiction, tension reduction, pleasure and automatism were predictors of smoking behavior among the current smoking students. Step wise regression analysis showed that smoking behavior was highly predicted by nicotine dependency or addiction. Smoking students were motivated to smoke cigarettes as they believed that it reduced their tension and enhance pleasure.

    CONCLUSIONS: Hence, there is a need for health promotion and anti-tobacco prevention as cigarette smokers experience more psychological problems. Nicotine dependency or addition was one of the major causes for smoking behavior among the student population in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  3. A group mental health randomized controlled trial for female refugees in Malaysia
    Shaw SA, Ward KP, Pillai V, Hinton DE
    Am J Orthopsychiatry, 2019;89(6):665-674.
    PMID: 30035560 DOI: 10.1037/ort0000346
    Forcibly displaced persons confront multiple stressors while awaiting permanent asylum or resettlement and often experience high levels of emotional distress. This study assessed an 8-week somatic-focused culturally adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) group intervention with 39 female refugees from Afghanistan living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Twenty-nine participants were randomly assigned to treatment conditions, resulting in 20 participants in two separate treatment groups and 9 in a waitlist control group. An additional 10 participants were not randomly assigned and therefore were treated as an additional treatment group and analyzed separately. A three-group piecewise linear growth model was specified in Mplus using Bayesian estimation. Dependent variables included emotional distress, anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and social support. From baseline to posttreatment assessments, initial intervention participants experienced significant declines in emotional distress (b = -16.90, p < .001), anxiety (b = -.80, p < .001), depression (b = -.59, p < .001), and posttraumatic stress (b = -.24, p < .05). Gains were maintained three months posttreatment, with similar trends observed among nonrandomized participants. Subsequent to receiving treatment, the waitlist control participants also showed significant declines in emotional distress (b = -20.88, p < .001), anxiety (b = -1.10, p < .001), depression (b = -.79, p < .001), and posttraumatic stress scores (b = -.82, p < .001). Comparing the treatment groups to the waitlist control group revealed large effect sizes: Cohen's d was 2.14 for emotional distress, 2.31 for anxiety, 2.42 for depression, and 2.07 for posttraumatic stress. Relevant public health findings include low drop out, group format, and facilitation by a trained community member. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  4. The Relationship Between Psychological Distress and Religious Practices and Coping in Malaysian Parents of Children with Thalassemia
    Chong LT, Chong MC, Tang LY, Ramoo V, Chui PL, Hmwe NTT
    J Pediatr Nurs, 2019 06 15;48:e15-e20.
    PMID: 31213340 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2019.05.016
    STUDY PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between religious practice, religious coping methods and psychological distress among parents caring for children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia.

    DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected on 162 parents of children diagnosed with thalassemia aged 12 years and younger in thalassemia day care centers of three public hospitals in Sabah, Malaysia. Data were collected using questionnaires, including General Health Questionaire-12 (GHQ-12), Duke University Religion Index (DUREL) and Brief RCOPE.

    RESULTS: Forty-two percent of parents had psychological distress with GHQ score ≥ 3 (mean score of 2.85 ± 3.17). Ninety-five percent of parents used positive religious coping methods (mean P-COPE score 22.35 ± 2.33) more than negative religious coping methods (mean N-COPE score was 12.19 ± 5.23). They used Organized Religious Activities (mean ORA score of 4.20 ± 1.27), and Non-Organized Religious Activities (NORA, the mean was 4.17 ± 1.37). Positive and negative religious coping methods were significantly related to parents' psychological distress (P-COPE and GHQ-12 scores (rs (df) = 0.19, p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  5. Fulltext Association Analysis of 14 Candidate Gene Polymorphism with Depression and Stress among Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
    Lee KW, Ching SM, Ramachandran V, Tusimin M, Mohd Nordin N, Chong SC, et al.
    Genes (Basel), 2019 11 30;10(12).
    PMID: 31801286 DOI: 10.3390/genes10120988
    The association of candidate genes and psychological symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Malaysia was determined in this study, followed by the determination of their odds of getting psychological symptoms, adjusted for socio-demographical background, maternal, and clinical characteristics. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) recorded a significant association between SNP of EPHX2 (rs17466684) and depression symptoms (AOR = 7.854, 95% CI = 1.330-46.360) and stress symptoms (AOR = 7.664, 95% CI = 1.579-37.197). Associations were also observed between stress symptoms and SNP of OXTR (rs53576) and (AOR = 2.981, 95% CI = 1.058-8.402) and SNP of NRG1 (rs2919375) (AOR = 9.894, 95% CI = 1.159-84.427). The SNP of EPHX2 (rs17466684) gene polymorphism is associated with depression symptoms among Malaysian women with GDM. SNP of EPHX2 (rs17466684), OXTR (rs53576) and NRG1 (rs2919375) are also associated with stress symptoms.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  6. Fulltext Determinants and predictors of mental health during and after COVID-19 lockdown among university students in Malaysia
    Mir IA, Ng SK, Mohd Jamali MNZ, Jabbar MA, Humayra S
    PLoS One, 2023;18(1):e0280562.
    PMID: 36662687 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280562
    BACKGROUND: Young adults, particularly university students might be at greater risk of developing psychological distress, and exhibiting symptoms of anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective of this study was to explore and compare the determinants and predictors of mental health (anxiety and depression) during and after the COVID-19 lockdown among university students.

    METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional study with a sample size of 417 students. An online survey utilizing International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was distributed to Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman students via Google forms.

    RESULTS: During lockdown, family income [χ2 (1, n = 124) = 5.155, p = 0.023], and physical activity (PA) [χ2 (1, n = 134) = 6.366, p = 0.012] were associated with anxiety, while depression was associated with gender [χ2 (1, n = 75) = 4.655, p = 0.031]. After lockdown, family income was associated with both anxiety [χ2 (1, n = 111) = 8.089, p = 0.004], and depression [χ2 (1, n = 115) = 9.305, p = 0.002]. During lockdown, family income (OR = 1.60, p = 0.018), and PA (OR = 0.59, p = 0.011) were predictors for anxiety, while gender (OR = 0.65, p = 0.046) was a predictor for depression. After lockdown, family income was a predictor for both anxiety (OR = 1.67, p = 0.011), and depression (OR = 1.70, p = 0.009).

    CONCLUSION: Significant negative effects attributed to the COVID-19 lockdown, and certain factors predisposed to the worsening of mental health status in university students. Low family income, PA, and female gender were the major determinants and predictors linked to anxiety and depression.

    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  7. The efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction on mental health of breast cancer patients: a meta-analysis
    Zainal NZ, Booth S, Huppert FA
    Psychooncology, 2013 Jul;22(7):1457-65.
    PMID: 22961994 DOI: 10.1002/pon.3171
    This study aims to investigate the evidence of the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in improving stress, depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  8. Depression and Anxiety Predict Healthcare Workers' Understanding of and Willingness to Help Suicide Attempt Patients
    Siau CS, Chan CMH, Wee LH, Wahab S, Visvalingam U, Chen WS, et al.
    Omega (Westport), 2023 Jun;87(2):469-484.
    PMID: 34096373 DOI: 10.1177/00302228211021746
    We examined whether burnout, depression, anxiety, stress, lifetime suicidal ideation, self-efficacy in preventing suicide and demographic factors predicted the understanding of and willingness to help suicidal patients among hospital healthcare workers. A total of 368 healthcare workers from the major surgical and medical departments in a general hospital setting were recruited. Participants responded to the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, Self-efficacy in Suicide Prevention, and Understanding Suicide Attempt Patient Scale. Those from the psychiatric department, with higher suicide prevention self-efficacy, and lower personal accomplishment indicated more understanding and helpful attitudes; doctors, depressed and anxious healthcare workers reported less understanding and helpful attitudes. Suicide prevention efforts must be conducted in tandem with equipping and supporting the healthcare workers who manage suicidal patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  9. Fulltext Stressors, Psychological States, and Relationship Quality among East Malaysian Adults with Partners Amid the COVID-19 Lockdown
    Mutang JA, Chua BS, Hon KY, Siau CS, Wider W, Ismail R
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022 Sep 07;19(18).
    PMID: 36141527 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811258
    The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact not only on healthcare systems and economic threats but also on relationships. Due to the massive measures of the Movement Control Order, such as social distancing, strictly limited physical activities, and making adjustments to working from home-merged with the pandemic's fear-romantic partners may face challenges that affect the quality of their relationships. The purpose of this study was to (i) identify stressors experienced by participants during the COVID-19 lockdown, (ii) evaluate participants'psychological well-being before and during the lockdown, and (iii) see if participants' perceived relationship quality differed before and during the lockdown. An online self-report questionnaire was used to recruit 334 adults (58.1 percent female, 41.9 percent male) with partners (married = 304, engaged = 12, and in committed relationships = 17). Participants were asked about stressors they encountered as a result of COVID-19 using an open-ended question. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) were used to assess mental health, and the Perceived Relationship Quality Component (PRQC) Inventory was used to assess relationship quality. According to the findings, the top three common stressors reported by participants were financial problems, restricted movement, and fear of COVID-19 infection. Participants reported significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression during the lockdown than before. The findings also revealed that participants' relationship quality improved during the lockdown compared to before the lockdown. The current study contributes by providing information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and the quality of couples' relationships during the pandemic.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  10. Fulltext Targeted Primary and Secondary Preventive Strategies for Depression among Malaysian Pharmacy Students
    A Wahab I, Goh KW, Zainal ZA, Mohamed Yusof NS, Huri HZ, Jacob SA, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022 Aug 05;19(15).
    PMID: 35954990 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159629
    The global depression burden has remained a challenge throughout the pre- and post-pandemic era. The pandemic effect has led to the spiraling of mental disorders among young people who will be the next generation of leaders. This study aims to identify university students’ sociodemographic, psychosocial and academic backgrounds and performance associated with depression symptoms for the development of primary and secondary preventive strategies for mental health. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed to 19 institutions in Malaysia offering a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree program. The self-rated Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-42) was used to assess depression symptoms. Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used to assess the investigated variables with depression symptoms. Independent T-test and one-way ANOVA were used to compare means of depression score across variables. Binary logistic regression was employed to examine the relationship between the investigated variables and depression symptoms. A total of 610 pharmacy students participated, of which 47% (n = 289/610) were having depression symptoms. Students who smoke nicotine and those who have separated parents, family history of mental illness, and poor academic performance were associated with depression symptoms (p < 0.05). Differences in geographical areas, race and religion also showed significant associations with depression symptoms. Parental marital status, poor academic performance, history of mental illness and comorbidities were statistically predicting depression symptoms (p < 0.05). Primary preventive strategies allowing students to harness healthy coping skills for stress, nicotine-free campaigns and a holistic curriculum are warranted. Secondary measures on mindfulness and compassion skills activities to benefit students who experienced early life crises are highly recommended. Enforcing these targeted strategies in collaboration with health and social sectors should be the primary agenda of universities to ensure their uptake.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  11. Piloting a psycho-education program for parents of pediatric cancer patients in Malaysia
    Othman A, Blunden S, Mohamad N, Mohd Hussin ZA, Jamil Osman Z
    Psychooncology, 2010 Mar;19(3):326-31.
    PMID: 19462470 DOI: 10.1002/pon.1584
    To evaluate a psycho-educational program (PeP) for parents of children with cancer (PoCwC) in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  12. Relations Between Cultural Life Scripts, Individual Life Stories, and Psychological Distress
    Anne M, Janssen SMJ
    Psychol Rep, 2021 Apr;124(2):521-542.
    PMID: 32208807 DOI: 10.1177/0033294120913490
    Cultural life scripts are shared knowledge about personal events expected to be experienced by individuals within a society and used as a framework for life story narration. Differences in cultural life scripts for individuals with depression and trauma, and their relations to anxiety, stress, and well-being, have not been investigated. Malaysian participants (N = 120) described and rated seven significant events most likely to be experienced by a prototypical infant from their culture, and seven significant events they had experienced or expected to experience in their own life. Participants then answered questionnaires about depression and trauma symptoms and about anxiety, stress, and well-being. The subclinical depression group listed less typical cultural life scripts events, whereas the subclinical post-traumatic stress disorder group listed less positive individual life story events. The findings indicate that, although individuals with depression and trauma possess knowledge of the cultural life scripts, there may be small differences in the cognitive processing of cultural life scripts and individual life story events.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  13. Fulltext Associations between depression, anxiety, stress, hopelessness, subjective well-being, coping styles and suicide in Chinese university students
    Lew B, Huen J, Yu P, Yuan L, Wang DF, Ping F, et al.
    PLoS One, 2019;14(7):e0217372.
    PMID: 31260454 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217372
    Suicide is a major public health concern worldwide. This study aimed to predict the suicidal behavior of Chinese university students by studying psychological measures such as hopelessness, orientation to happiness, meaning in life, depression, anxiety, stress, and coping styles. In November 2016, a stratified-clustered-random sampling approach was utilized to select subjects from two large public medical-related universities in Shandong province, China. This sample consisted of 2,074 undergraduate students (706 males, 1,368 females; mean age = 19.79±1.39 years). The students' major risk factors for suicide were depression, anxiety, stress, and hopelessness, and the students' minor risk factors included orientation to happiness and coping styles (including self-distraction, self-blame and substance use). Notably, the presence of meaning in life had a positive effect on preventing suicide and acted as a protective factor, which suggests that it is important to identify risk factors as well as protective factors relevant to the target population group in order to increase the effectiveness of counseling and suicide prevention programs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology*
  14. Improving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations: Development and evaluation of an intervention to reduce movement in scanners and facilitate scan completion
    Powell R, Ahmad M, Gilbert FJ, Brian D, Johnston M
    Br J Health Psychol, 2015 Sep;20(3):449-65.
    PMID: 25639980 DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12132
    The movement of patients in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners results in motion artefacts which impair image quality. Non-completion of scans leads to delay in diagnosis and increased costs. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an intervention to enable patients to stay still in MRI scanners (reducing motion artefacts) and to enhance scan completion. Successful scan outcome was deemed to be completing the scan with no motion artefacts.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology*
  15. Fulltext Improving emotional health and self-esteem of Malaysian adolescents living in orphanages through Life Skills Education program: A multi-centre randomized control trial
    Mohammadzadeh M, Awang H, Ismail S, Kadir Shahar H
    PLoS One, 2019;14(12):e0226333.
    PMID: 31877163 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226333
    Generally speaking, institutionalised children and adolescents are at greatly increased risk of serious mental and behavioural problems, up to seven times more than their peers. Life skills- based interventions using peer enforcement have been introduced as effective program to improve adolescents' emotional and behavioral health. Therefore, the current randomized control study aimed to determine, if a life skills-based intervention could improve the emotional health and self-esteem among Malaysian adolescents in orphanages. Overall, 271 male and female adolescents (13-18 years old) from 8 orphanages in Klang valley, Malaysia participated in the study. Comparing the intervention to control group within 3 points of time, the finding of the study showed that immediately after finishing the interventional sessions (post-test), the mean scores of depression (F = 33.80, P<0.001, η2 = 0.11), anxiety (F = 6.28, P = 0.01, η2 = 0.02), stress (F = 32.05, P<0.001, η2 = 0.11) and self-esteem (F = 54.68, P<0.001, η2 = 0.17) were significantly decreased compared to the pre-test values. However, there was no significant difference between two groups in the depression mean scores (F = 2.33, P = 0.13). Regarding to the interaction between group and test a significant change was seen in the mean score of all 4 variables including depression (F = 31.04, P<0.001, η2 = 0.10), anxiety (F = 14.21, P<0.001, η2 = 0.05), stress (F = 15.67, P<0.001, η2 = 0.06) and self-esteem (F = 13.29, P<0.001, η2 = 0.05). Furthermore, except depression (Δmean = -1.37, P<0.001), no significant difference was seen between study variables' mean scores between post- and follow-up test (p>0.001). These results provide preliminary approve for LSE to enhance emotional health and self-esteem in orphanages.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  16. Psychological health and menopause-specific quality of life of Malaysian women with type 2 diabetes
    Hasan SS, Thiruchelvam K, Ahmed SI, Clavarino AM, Mamun AA, Kairuz T
    Asian J Psychiatr, 2016 Oct;23:56-63.
    PMID: 27969080 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2016.07.005
    Anxiety and depression are more common among females and those experiencing diabetes and menopause. Menopausal symptoms experienced by women can vary tremendously from population to population; therefore, there is a need to investigate these symptoms and associated risk factors in different communities. This study investigated the differences in psychological health and menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) between women with and without diabetes type 2 (T2DM) in Malaysia. Women with T2DM (n=320) were matched by age range to controls without T2DM (n=320). Data were collected from March 2012 to January 2013. Delusions Symptoms States Inventory (DSSI) instrument was used to identify symptoms of depression and anxiety. Women with diabetes had higher depressive (11.8% versus 8.4%) and anxiety (8.4% versus 6.6%) symptoms compared to women without diabetes. In both groups, the most common menopausal symptom was aches (muscles and joints). Women without diabetes had significantly higher scores for the sexual domain compared to women with diabetes (4.20 versus 3.21, p=0.001). The odds that a postmenopausal woman with diabetes was depressed or anxious on the DSSI scale increased significantly when the MENQOL score on the physical, vasomotor, and psychosocial domains increased by one unit. Both diabetes and psychological problems have negative impact on MENQOL. Our findings support the view of screening postmenopausal women with diabetes for depressive and anxiety, to improve overall quality of life.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology*
  17. Fulltext Depression, anxiety, stress and hyperemesis gravidarum: temporal and case controlled correlates
    Tan PC, Zaidi SN, Azmi N, Omar SZ, Khong SY
    PLoS One, 2014;9(3):e92036.
    PMID: 24637791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092036
    To evaluate the temporal and case-controlled correlations of anxiety, depression and stress with hyperemesis gravidarum.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  18. Fulltext The quality of life of people with epilepsy at a tertiary referral centre in Malaysia
    Norsa'adah B, Zainab J, Knight A
    Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2013;11:143.
    PMID: 23972031 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-11-143
    Epilepsy, a chronic disorder of brain characterised by a predisposition to generate epileptic seizures, has an effect on the psychosocial well-being of sufferers. Measuring the quality of life (QOL) of people with epilepsy (PWE) is increasingly recognized as an important component of clinical management. QOL measures differ between countries and there is limited information regarding PWE in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to determine the health related QOL and its relationship with the presence of seizures in PWE at a Malaysian tertiary referral center.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology*
  19. Effects of depression and anxiety on mortality in a mixed cancer group: a longitudinal approach using standardised diagnostic interviews
    Chan CM, Wan Ahmad WA, Yusof MM, Ho GF, Krupat E
    Psychooncology, 2015 Jun;24(6):718-25.
    PMID: 25345781 DOI: 10.1002/pon.3714
    Distress and psychiatric morbidity in cancer patients are associated with poorer outcomes including mortality. In this study, we examined the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and its association with cancer survival over time.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology
  20. An improved light dark box test by using a real-time video tracking system
    Narayanan SN, Kumar RS
    Acta. Biol. Hung., 2018 Dec;69(4):371-384.
    PMID: 30587025 DOI: 10.1556/018.69.2018.4.1
    In the behavioral science field, many of the oldest tests have still most frequently been used almost in the same way for decades. The subjective influence of human observer and the large inter-observer and interlab differences are substantial among these tests. This necessitates the possibility of using technological innovations for behavioral science to obtain new parameters, results and insights as well. The light-dark box (LDB) test is a characteristic tool used to assess anxiety in rodents. A complete behavioral analysis (including both anxiety and locomotion parameters) is not possible by performing traditional LDB test protocol, as it lacks the usage of a real-time video recording of the test. In the current report, we describe an improved approach to conduct LDB test using a real-time video tracking system.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anxiety/psychology*
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