Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 44 in total

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  1. Fulltext Does Food Insecurity Contribute towards Depression? A Cross-Sectional Study among the Urban Elderly in Malaysia
    Mesbah SF, Sulaiman N, Shariff ZM, Ibrahim Z
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 04 30;17(9).
    PMID: 32365772 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17093118
    With the aging of the population worldwide, there is an increasing concern for the mental health status as well as physical health. Depression is a common mental health problem among the elderly populations. Since the elderly are susceptible to food insecurity, this cross-sectional study is aimed to determine an association between food insecurity and depression among elderly people. A total of 220 elderly people- aged 60 years and above, residing in the Petaling district of Selangor, were included in this study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to obtain the pertinent information on demographic background, food security status (six items USDA FSSM), functional status (IADL, EMS), psychosocial status (LSNS-6), and depression status (GDS-15). Binary logistic regression was used to assess the factors that were associated with depression. The median age of the elderly sample was 65.5 years. The prevalence of depression and food insecurity that was recorded were 13.2% and 19.5%, respectively. Social isolation (AOR = 5.882, 95% CI: 2.221, 15.576), food insecurity (AOR = 3.539, 95% CI: 1.350, 9.279), and unsafe mobility (AOR= 3.729, 95% CI: 1.302, 10.683) increased the odds of depression. In conclusion, social isolation, food insecurity, and unsafe mobility are factors associated with depression among the elderly people. Plans such as health interventions as well as grocery and financial aid among the qualifying elderly are suggested to improve this depression and food insecurity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  2. Fulltext Social Isolation Modulates CLOCK Protein and Beta-Catenin Expression Pattern in Gonadotropin-Inhibitory Hormone Neurons in Male Rats
    Teo CH, Soga T, Parhar IS
    Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 2017;8:225.
    PMID: 28936198 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00225
    Postweaning social isolation reduces the amplitude of the daily variation of CLOCK protein in the brain and induces lower reproductive activity. Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) acts as an inhibitor in the reproductive system and has been linked to stress. Social isolation has been shown to lower neuronal activity of GnIH-expressing neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH). The exact mechanism by which social isolation may affect GnIH is still unclear. We investigated the impact of social isolation on regulatory cellular mechanisms in GnIH neurons. We examined via immunohistochemistry the expression of CLOCK protein at four different times throughout the day in GnIH cells tagged with enhanced fluorescent green protein (EGFP-GnIH) in 9-week-old adult male rats that have been raised for 6 weeks under postweaning social isolation and compared them with group-raised control rats of the same age. We also studied the expression of β-catenin-which has been shown to be affected by circadian proteins such as Bmal1-in EGFP-GnIH neurons to determine whether it could play a role in linking CLOCK in GnIH neurons. We found that social isolation modifies the pattern of CLOCK expression in GnIH neurons in the DMH. Socially isolated rats displayed greater CLOCK expression in the dark phase, while control rats displayed increased CLOCK expression in the light phase. Furthermore, β-catenin expression pattern in GnIH cells was disrupted by social isolation. This suggests that social isolation triggers changes in CLOCK and GnIH expression, which may be associated with an increase in nuclear β-catenin during the dark phase.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  3. Fulltext Blood biomarkers of Hikikomori, a severe social withdrawal syndrome
    Hayakawa K, Kato TA, Watabe M, Teo AR, Horikawa H, Kuwano N, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2018 02 13;8(1):2884.
    PMID: 29440704 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21260-w
    Hikikomori, a severe form of social withdrawal syndrome, is a growing social issue in Japan and internationally. The pathophysiology of hikikomori has not yet been elucidated and an effective treatment remains to be established. Recently, we revealed that avoidant personality disorder is the most common comorbidity of hikikomori. Thus, we have postulated that avoidant personality is the personality underpinning hikikomori. First, we herein show relationships between avoidant personality traits, blood biomarkers, hikikomori-related psychological features, and behavioural characteristics assessed by a trust game in non-hikikomori volunteers. Avoidant personality traits were negatively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and uric acid (UA) in men, and positively associated with fibrin degeneration products (FDP) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in women. Next, we recruited actual individuals with hikikomori, and compared avoidant personality traits, blood biomarkers, and psychological features between individuals with hikikomori and age-matched healthy controls. Individuals with hikikomori had higher avoidant personality scores in both sexes, and showed lower serum UA levels in men and lower HDL-C levels in women compared with healthy controls. This is the first report showing possible blood biomarkers for hikikomori, and opens the door to clarify the underlying biological pathophysiology of hikikomori.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  4. Fulltext Effect of Laughter Therapy on Depression and Quality of Life of the Elderly Living in Nursing Homes
    Heidari M, Ghodusi Borujeni M, Rezaei P, Kabirian Abyaneh S, Heidari K
    Malays J Med Sci, 2020 Jul;27(4):119-129.
    PMID: 32863751 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.4.11
    Background: Mental disorders are common among the elderly with serious symptoms of depression and social isolation. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of laughter therapy (LT) on depression and quality of life (QOL) of the elderly living in Abadeh nursing homes.

    Methods: This is a controlled semi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test design. Ninety eligible ones of the elderly living in the Abadeh nursing homes and from July to September 2017, entered the study. Some of the criteria for entering the study include being over 60 years old, orientation, not having blindness and deafness, lack of physical and mental problems. After determining the intervention and control groups, the scale of depression and QOL was administered to the subjects and their scores were collected in the pre-test.

    Results: Most of the study samples were in the intervention (35.55%) and control (37.77%) group in the age range of 60-69 years. In both intervention and control groups, respectively, 31.11% and 68.88% elderly were males and females. The mean scores of depression in the intervention group after LT (M = 2.57) were lower than those before the intervention (M = 6.87) [CI = -5.58-(-3.02)] and also the results of independent t-test showed a statistically significant difference before and after the intervention between the two groups (P < 0.001). The mean score of dimensions of QOL after LT was higher than that before in the intervention and there was a statistically significant difference in all dimensions with paired t-test (P < 0.001).

    Conclusion: Since the implementation of this programme could improve the mental status and QOL of the elderly, this method of therapy can be used as an alternative or complementary model to enhance the health of the elderly.

    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  5. Fulltext Social isolation in older Malaysians: prevalence and risk factors
    Ibrahim R, Abolfathi Momtaz Y, Hamid TA
    Psychogeriatrics, 2013 Jun;13(2):71-9.
    PMID: 23909963 DOI: 10.1111/psyg.12000
    Social isolation is one of the most important emerging issues among ageing populations, as it reduces well-being, health and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to identify prevalence and risk factors of social isolation in older Malaysians.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation/psychology*
  6. Fulltext Importance of hypertension and social isolation in causing sleep disruption in dementia
    Eshkoor SA, Hamid TA, Nudin SS, Mun CY
    Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen, 2014 Feb;29(1):61-6.
    PMID: 24085252 DOI: 10.1177/1533317513505136
    This study aimed to determine the effects of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT), heart disease, social isolation, and sociodemographic factors on sleep in the elderly patients with dementia. Samples included 1210 noninstitutionalized, Malaysian elderly patients with dementia. The multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to estimate the risk of sleep disturbances among respondents. Approximately 41% of the patients experienced sleep problems. The results showed that age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.02), social isolation (OR = 1.33), and HT (OR = 1.53) significantly increased sleep disruption in respondents (P .05). It was concluded that age, social isolation, and HT increased sleep disruption but education and ethnic non-Malay reduced the risk of sleep problems. Moreover, HT was the most important variable to increase sleep disturbances in the elderly patients with dementia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation*
  7. Fulltext Perception towards E-learning and COVID-19 on the mental health status of university students in Malaysia
    Moy FM, Ng YH
    Sci Prog, 2021;104(3):368504211029812.
    PMID: 34260295 DOI: 10.1177/00368504211029812
    The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of all including university students. With the preventive measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, all face-to-face teaching and learning are converted to e-learning. The COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of e-learning may influence these students' mental conditions. This study aimed to determine the association of factors with mental health status (depression, anxiety and stress) among university students in Malaysia. Study participants were tertiary education students from both the private and public universities in Malaysia. Participants were recruited via university emails and social media. The survey was administered via the online REDCap platform, from April to June 2020, during the movement control order period in the country. The questionnaire captured data on socio-demographic characteristics, academic information, implementation of e-learning, perception towards e-learning and COVID-19; as well as DASS 21 to screen for depression, anxiety and stress. The levels of stress, anxiety and depression were 56.5% (95% CI: 50.7%, 62.1%), 51.3% (95% CI: 45.6%, 57.0%) and 29.4% (95% CI: 24.3%, 34.8%) respectively. Most participants had good perception towards e-learning but negative perception on COVID-19. From the multivariate analysis, participants with positive perception on COVID-19 were protective towards stress (aOR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.92, 0.99), anxiety (aOR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90, 0.98) and depression (aOR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.91, 0.99). Older students were 14% (aOR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.79, 0.94) and 11% (aOR: 0.89: 95% CI: 0.80, 0.99) less likely for anxiety and depression, respectively. Students originated from the Malay ethnicity had higher odds (aOR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.05, 3.56) for depression. These findings demonstrated that the mental status of university students was greatly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Timely and credible information should be disseminated to alleviate their negative perception towards COVID-19.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation/psychology*
  8. Fulltext Hearing impairment in the elderly
    Loh KY, Elango S
    Med J Malaysia, 2005 Oct;60(4):526-9; quiz 530.
    PMID: 16570725
    Hearing impairment is one of the most important health problems of the elderly above 60. Very often it leads to verbal communication difficulty and without treatment it can cause serious psychological and social complications such as depression and social isolation. Prebyscusis remains a leading cause of sensorineural deafness in the elderly. Elderly patient must be encouraged to seek proper hearing assessment if they face hearing difficulty. Active screening by health care workers and patient self-evaluation by answering a simple list of screening questions are possible for early detection and treatment of hearing loss in the elderly. Although hearing loss in the elderly may not have a cure, early rehabilitation helps to restore better quality of life if the problem is detected early.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  9. Quality of life of community-based chronic schizophrenia patients in Penang, Malaysia
    Mubarak AR, Baba I, Chin LH, Hoe QS
    Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 2003 Oct;37(5):577-85.
    PMID: 14511086
    This is a study of the quality of life (QOL) of 174 community-based chronic schizophrenia patients in Penang, Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  10. Psychosocial factors and the health of the elderly Malaysian
    Chen PC
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1987 Jan;16(1):110-4.
    PMID: 3592576
    Consequent to rapidly declining mortality and birth rates, developing countries, including Malaysia, can expect a rapid increase in the population aged 60 years and above. The health of the elderly is intimately tied up with both biophysical as well as psychosocial factors which include status loss, loneliness, fear of illness and death, poverty, harmful life-styles and deterioration of the quality of life. The effects of these psychosocial factors can manifest as sleep difficulties, worry and anxiety, depression, loss of interest, and a feeling of tiredness. In extreme cases, there may be auditory or visual hallucinations or paranoia. In the present paper, which is based upon a WHO sponsored study of 1001 elderly Malaysians, it is noted that 36% of the elderly have sleep difficulties, 47% "feel tired", 31% have a "loss of interest" and 22% are "worried tense". However 71% of the elderly are able to correctly perform at least 12 of 15 cognitive tests. 20% of elderly men smoke 15 or more cigarettes a day while 44% smoke at least one cigarette a day. 40% of elderly men indicate that their families complain about the amount of alcohol they drink. Undoubtedly primary health care programmes need to be re-oriented to the problems and needs of the elderly in countries such as Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  11. Fulltext Virtual Group Exercises and Psychological Status among Community-Dwelling Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Feasibility Study
    Ibrahim A, Chong MC, Khoo S, Wong LP, Chung I, Tan MP
    Geriatrics (Basel), 2021 Mar 22;6(1).
    PMID: 33810155 DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics6010031
    Social isolation, magnified by the restriction of movement order during the COVID-19 pandemic, may lead to negative psychosocial health impacts among community-dwelling older adults. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate recruitment rates, data collection, and group exercises conducted through virtual technology among individuals aged 60 years and over in Malaysia. Participants were recruited from the Promoting Independence in Seniors with Arthritis (PISA) pilot cohort through social media messaging. A four-week course of virtual group exercise was offered. Anxiety and depression were assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) during the last attended follow-up of the cohort study (pre-pandemic), pre-intervention, and post-intervention. Exercise adherence was recorded using diaries with daily entries and attendance to the virtual group exercise sessions were also captured electronically daily. The outcomes of interest were changes in anxiety and depression scores from baseline to pre-intervention (pandemic-related) and post-intervention (virtual exercise related). Forty-three individuals were recruited. A significant increase in anxiety scores from baseline to pre-intervention was observed. Comparisons using repeated-measures analysis of variance between those who attendance ≥14 and <14 group exercise sessions revealed no between-within subject differences in depression scores. There was a 23% dropout rate in the post intervention survey and 60.5% of diaries were returned. Virtual group exercises could be conducted among older adults residing in a middle-income country, though recruitment would have been limited to those with internet access.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  12. Fulltext Smartphone usage and addiction among nursing students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah
    Segaran Ramodran, Lenny Seputri Masse, Nurul Hanis Syazwan Irawan, Suhailah Saniman
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(105):54-0.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Smartphone has become an essential Smart-tool for IT-based learning among university students. How- ever, excessive use of smartphones can be addictive leading to psychological distress, poor academic performance, social isolation and depression. In the context of University Malaysia Sabah (UMS), the issue of contention is whether smartphone addiction is a problem among nursing undergraduate students and thus the justification for this study. This study evaluated the pattern of usage smartphone and addiction among nursing students in UMS. Methods: The study deployed a cross-sectional survey design involving 100 (N) respondents selected through clustered convenient sampling from year 1(n=35), year 2 (n=35) and year 3 (n=30) nursing students who are currently pursuing their di- ploma study in UMS. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of UMS as well-informed consent from respondents. The study tool consisted of a well-establish validated questionnaire benchmarked from a previous study (reliability Cronbach α= 0.78) which captured respondents’ socio-demographics, smartphone us- age characteristic proforma and Smart Addiction Scale (SAS). Results: Among 100 nursing students in this study, 78% (n=78) of them had high smartphone usageaveraging 4.3 hours daily. The overall prevalence of smartphone addiction among nursing students in this study was 25% (n=25). Male student nurses significantly had higher smart- phone addiction scores compared to female students (p=0.01). Likewise, year 3 students had higher addiction scores compared to their peers in year 2 or year 1 (p=0.002). Conclusion: findings from this study imply that smartphone addiction affects 1 in 4 nursing students in UMS and there is a need to develop ‘digital detox” strategies to address the issue.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  13. Fulltext Older adults with cognitive impairment living in Malaysian nursing homes - have we met their needs?
    Azlina Wati Nikmat, Syed Hassan Almashoor
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2015;16(1):84-94.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: Transition of people with cognitive impairment to nursing home is often an option when their disease progresses and their needs become too complex. The aim of this study was to identify the needs of people with cognitive impairment living in nursing homes and factors associated with higher level of needs.
    Methods: A cross sectional survey involving 110 respondents with cognitive impairment aged ≥60 was carried out. Respondents were assessed using the Short Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE), Camberwell Assessment of Needs for Elderly (CANE), Barthel Index (BI), Friendship Scale (FS), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
    Results: Respondents with cognitive impairment had a mean of 2.81 (SD=3.72) for unmet needs and 11.95 (SD=3.14) for the met needs, with higher mean suggesting a better outcome measure. The most frequent unmet needs were intimate relationships (66.40%), company (40.00%), and daytime activity (34.50%). Unmet needs were significantly associated with depression, social isolation, and cognitive impairment.
    Conclusion: Most of the needs of people with cognitive impairment in nursing homes were fulfilled, except in social area. Therefore, attention should be given in improving the care system, which emphasizes collaboration between people with cognitive impairment, family members, community, and government in helping to reduce the risk of loneliness in those with cognitive impairment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  14. Fulltext Depression and loneliness/social isolation among patients with cognitive impairment in nursing home
    Azlina Wati Nikmat, Nurul Azreen Hashim, Siti Aminah Omar, Salmi Razali
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2015;16(2):222-231.
    MyJurnal
    The evaluation of mental health among older adults has become increasingly important in health and social science. Although this has been studied in developed countries, there are also issues for emerging countries, which have aging populations. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of loneliness/social isolation and late-life depression among older adults with cognitive impairment living in institutional care. Methods: A cross sectional survey involving residents of four government nursing homes in West Malaysia was carried out. All residents aged 60 years old and above with cognitive impairment were included in the study. Participants were assessed by the Short Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE), Friendship Scale (FS) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results: The prevalence of depression and loneliness/social isolation were 85.5% and 95.5% respectively. Depression was strongly associated with age, education attainment, financial conditions, health, cognitive impairment and loneliness/social isolation. Loneliness/social isolation was strongly associated to depression and relationship satisfaction with children. Conclusion: There was high prevalence of depression and loneliness/social isolation among older adults with cognitive impairment living in institutional care. Depression and loneliness/social isolation are interrelated and influence each other and these problems need to be addressed to improve their quality of life.
    Device, Questionnaire & Scale: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE-12); Friendship Scale (FS); Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  15. Fulltext Reducing stigma towards people with mental illness in Malaysia
    Lim, Sheri
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2015;16(2):261-264.
    MyJurnal
    Mental illness accounts for 12% of the global burden of disease with a reported 1 in 5 Malaysians suffering from a psychological disorder. Sufferers have been long plagued by stigma, which results in social isolation, low-selfesteem, lower opportunities for employment, housing, and ability to achieve life goals. This essay aims to suggest strategies to overcome such stigma in the local setting. Methods: Literature search was conducted through PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) and Google Scholar (http://scholar.google.com.my). Data obtained was compiled as an opinion piece. Results: Thefactors contributing to stigma in Malaysia include a lack of public knowledge, language and cultural influences, inaccurate media portrayal, doctors’ attitudes towards the field of psychiatry, and psychiatrists themselves. Stigma can be tackled in four areas: society, media, medical education, and the field of psychiatry. Firstly, psychiatric terminology can be adapted to local languages and cultural beliefs in order to avoid misconceptions. Secondly, public education is more effective if focused to targeted key groups. The media is crucial in influencing the public mind-set, and needs to be creatively engaged. Thirdly, more positive medical practitioner attitudes to mental illness can be moulded through early psychiatric postings during medical school. Finally, psychiatrists play a role in correcting misconceptions, avoiding misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments. Cultural competency leads to better management of patients by awareness towards socio-cultural and religious influences. Conclusion: A multifaceted, united coalition of effort is needed in order to tackle stigma in different contexts, and will require concerted leadership from different parties.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  16. Fulltext Risk factors of urinary incontinence among community dwelling older adults
    Resshaya Roobini Murukesu, Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh, Suzana Shahar
    Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2018;16(101):227-227.
    MyJurnal
    Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common disorder among older adults, with a global prevalence between 2% to 58%. UI has been associated with social isolation, increased morbidity and reduced quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to investigate the sociodemographic, clinical, cognitive and physical function risk factors of UI among Malaysian community dwelling older adults. This study is part of a larger scale population based longitudinal study on neuroprotective model for healthy longevity among older adults (LRGS TUA). A total of 1560 Malaysian community dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above were screened in this phase III LRGS study. Participants sociodemographic and clinical history were obtained. Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and Digit Span tested cognitive function. Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Hand Grip Strength Test, Chair Stand Test and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living tested physical function. The overall prevalence of UI was 15.7% (n = 245) in this study, with 11.8% (n = 88) in men and 19.3% (n = 157) in women. Logistic regression analysis showed that TUG (Adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.071; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.13), MMSE (OR, 0.93; CI, 0.90-0.97), weight (OR, 1.02; CI, 1.00-1.03), and constipation (OR 0.60; CI, 0.46-0.78) (p < 0.005) were significant risk factors of UI. The results indicate, decreased physical and cognitive function; increase in weight and having constipation increased the risk of UI. Maintaining optimum mobility, cognitive function, body weight and constipation prevention are vital in the prevention and management of UI among older adults.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  17. Fulltext Postpartum Mental Health in First-Time Mothers: A Cohort Study
    Abdollahi F, Agajani-Delavar M, Zarghami M, Lye MS
    Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci, 2016 Mar;10(1):e426.
    PMID: 31168307 DOI: 10.17795/ijpbs-426
    Background: Post-partum depression (PPD) can produce adverse symptoms that make motherhood one of the most tumultuous events in a female's life. First-time mothers who have problems adapting themselves to the mother's role are more vulnerable to PPD.

    Objectives: The current study aimed to explore the extent of social support and parental self-efficacy on PPD, this study was conducted among the first-time pregnant women.

    Patients and Methods: A prospective cohort study assessed the depressive symptoms and related factors among 838 first-time not depressed pregnant women from third trimester of pregnancy to 12 weeks postpartum who attended primary health centers (Jan to July 2009). The study employed Edinburgh postnatal depression scale, social support appraisals scale, network orientation scale, marital inventory, parental expectation survey and socio-demographic questionnaires. Logistic regression was used for data analysis.

    Results: The incidence of depression was 10.7% at three months post-partum. The adjusted odds ratio showed the PPD was associated with perceived social isolation (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.01 - 1.12), lack of marital satisfaction (OR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.86 - 0.97) and low parental self-efficacy (OR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.65 - 0.85).

    Conclusions: A high incidence of PPD was identified among the first-time mothers which makes PPD one of the major health problems in females. The important effects of perceived social isolation, maternal parental self-efficacy, and marital satisfaction on reducing the risk of PPD should be considered.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  18. One world is not enough: the structured phenomenology of lifestyle migrants in East Asia
    Stones R, Botterill K, Lee M, O'Reilly K
    Br J Sociol, 2019 Jan;70(1):44-69.
    PMID: 29479667 DOI: 10.1111/1468-4446.12357
    The paper is based on original empirical research into the lifestyle migration of European migrants, primarily British, to Thailand and Malaysia, and of Hong Kong Chinese migrants to Mainland China. We combine strong structuration theory (SST) with Heideggerian phenomenology to develop a distinctive approach to the interplay between social structures and the lived experience of migrants. The approach enables a rich engagement with the subjectivities of migrants, an engagement that is powerfully enhanced by close attention to how these inner lives are deeply interwoven with relevant structural contexts. The approach is presented as one that could be fruitfully adopted to explore parallel issues within all types of migration. As is intrinsic to lifestyle migration, commitment to a better quality of life is central to the East Asian migrants, but they seek an uncomplicated, physically enhanced texture of life, framed more by a phenomenology of prosaic well-being than of self-realization or transcendence. In spite of possessing economic and status privileges due to their relatively elite position within global structures the reality for a good number of the lifestyle migrants falls short of their prior expectations. They are subject to particular kinds of socio-structural marginaliszation as a consequence of the character of their migration, and they find themselves relatively isolated and facing a distinct range of challenges. A comparison with research into various groups of migrants to the USA brings into relief the specificities of the socio-structural positioning of the lifestyle migrants of the study. Those East Asian migrants who express the greatest sense of ease and contentment seem to be those who have responded creatively to the specific challenges of their socio-structural situation. Often, this appears to have been achieved through understated but active involvements with their new settings and through sustaining focused transnational connections and relationships.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  19. Risk of mental health disorders among farmers involved in palm plantation occupation
    Leonard JH, Ali JE, Vikram M, Saraswathy V, Hanif FM, Nihayah M, et al.
    Clin Ter, 2013;164(5):403-6.
    PMID: 24217825 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2013.1603
    The aim of this study was to define mental health status of palm plantation farmers in Muar, Johor, Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
  20. Impact, distress and HRQoL among Malaysian men and women with a mobility impairment
    Misajon R, Manderson L, Pallant JF, Omar Z, Bennett E, Rahim RB
    Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2006;4:95.
    PMID: 17156494
    Although non-communicable and chronic disease now accounts for 47% of the global burden of disease, little is known of the everyday experiences and social aspects of disability and disablement in middle and low income countries. This article aims to address this gap by exploring the subjective experience of mobility impairment in Malaysia. Specifically, it examines health-related quality of life and the impact and distress related to impaired mobility, and investigates any gender differences in relation to the experience of disability.
    Matched MeSH terms: Social Isolation
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