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Fulltext Generation-y employees and their perceptions of work-life balance

Bahrain, Mos, Nur Fatihah Abdullah, Bandar, Surena, Sabil, Farida, Abdul Halim, Agatha Lamentan, Muda, Hana, Hamidi, et al.

Journal of Cognitive Sciences & Human Development, 2018;4(2):28-41.
MyJurnal

The objective of this study is to identify the perceptions of Generation Y employees regarding
work-life balance practices. As increasing numbers of Generation Y enter the workforce,
questions regarding how they perceive work, family and self-related issues, challenges and
coping strategies in balancing personal and professional commitments became issues of interests
for employers. This study uses interviews to collect data from six informants in Generation
Y and the data were analyzed through content analysis. The results indicate that Generation
Y employees do indeed have issues and challenges with balancing work and family.
However, unlike the older generation of employees, Generation Y employees perceive managing
work-life balance only through segmentation or separation strategies. This particular
finding indicates that if organizations want to attract and retain these employees they should
adapt a strategy specifically designed to target this employee group.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Glycaemic control status among type 2 diabetic patients and the role of their diabetes coping behaviours: a clinic-based study in Tripoli, Libya

Ashur ST, Shah SA, Bosseri S, Fah TS, Shamsuddin K

Libyan J Med, 2016 Jan;11(1):31086.
PMID: 28349838 DOI: 10.3402/ljm.v11.31086

Background Achieving good glycaemic control is important in diabetes management. However, poor glycaemic control is widely reported. This article assessed the prevalence of uncontrolled and poor glycaemic control among Libyans with type 2 diabetes and examined the relative contribution of diabetes coping behaviours to their glycaemic control status. Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2013 in a large diabetes centre in Tripoli. The study included 523 respondents. Diabetes coping behaviours were measured using the revised version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities measure (SDSCA) and the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8(©)), while glycaemic control status was based on the HbA1c level. Results Mean HbA1c was 8.9 (±2.1), and of the 523 patients, only 114 (21.8%) attained the glycaemic control target of HbAc1 of less than 7.0%. Females (OR=1.74, 95% CI=1.03-2.91), patients on insulin and oral hypoglycaemic agents (OR=1.92, 95% CI=1.05-3.54), patients on insulin (OR=3.14, 95% CI=1.66-6.03), and low-medication adherents (OR=2.25, 95% CI=1.36-3.73) were more likely to have uncontrolled and poor glycaemic control, while exercise contributed to glycaemic control status as a protective factor (OR=0.85, 95% CI=0.77-0.94). Conclusion The findings from this study showed the considerable burden of uncontrolled and poor glycaemic control in one of the largest diabetes care settings in Libya. Medication adherence as well as exercise promotion programs would help in reducing the magnitude of poor glycaemic control.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Fulltext Harmful algal blooms and coastal communities: Socioeconomic impacts and actions taken to cope with the 2015 U.S. West Coast domoic acid event

Moore SK, Dreyer SJ, Ekstrom JA, Moore K, Norman K, Klinger T, et al.

Harmful Algae, 2020 06;96:101799.
PMID: 32560834 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2020.101799

The 2015 U.S. West Coast domoic acid event was caused by a massive harmful algal bloom (HAB) that consisted mostly of the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia australis. It was unprecedented in its toxicity and geographic extent and resulted in extended and widespread closures of the lucrative commercial Dungeness crab and popular recreational razor clam fisheries. The fishery closures led to federal fisheries disaster declarations and generated an economic shock for coastal communities that depend on access to these marine resources. This study reports on the socioeconomic impacts of the 2015 HAB across 16 fishing communities on the U.S. West Coast using primary survey data. The survey instrument, deployed in the summer of 2017, collected information on sociodemographic and economic factors hypothesized to confer resilience or vulnerability to HABs, data quantifying individual impacts, and the coping and adaptive actions taken by individuals to deal with the event. The vast majority of survey participants (84%) were negatively impacted by the 2015 HAB, but individuals employed in fishing-related occupations experienced greater financial, emotional, and sociocultural impacts than those employed in other sectors. Further, those employed in fishing-related occupations were less likely to recover financial losses suffered as a result of the event. This study identifies the pathways through which HABs affect fishery-dependent and fishery-associated sectors of U.S. West Coast communities. The understanding gained can help inform efforts to prepare for future HABs, mitigate their socioeconomic impacts, and aid recovery.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of Gastrointestinal Cancer Caregivers: The Impact of Caregiving

Abdullah NN, Idris IB, Shamsuddin K, Abdullah NMA

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 Apr 29;20(4):1191-1197.
PMID: 31030494

Objective: This study examined the quality of life (QOL) of caregivers for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients, and associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at three referral hospitals in Klang Valley, Malaysia. A total of 323 pairs of patients and caregivers from the oncology units of these hospitals completed questionnaires in Malay. The QOL of caregivers was measured using The Malay Caregiver Quality of Life questionnaire. The independent variables were caregiver and patient factors, care-related factors, the Caregiver Strain Index-Malay, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support-Malay. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with the QOL. Variables with p < 0.05 were considered significant in the multiple analyses. Results: Female caregivers were 68.1% of the total, and 46.4% caregivers were spouses to cancer patients. Their mean age was 44.50 (13.29) years old. About 51.7% were of Malay ethnicity. The mean score for QOL was 80.17 (21.58). Being a male caregiver (beta = 5.165, p = 0.011) and of Indian ethnicity (beta = -9.163, p = 0.001) were strongly associated with caregiver QOL. Male patients contributed higher QOL scores for the caregivers compared to female patients. There was an inverse relationship among caregiving strain, duration of caregiving, and caregiver QOL. Conclusion: The identification of factors that affect QOL will allow healthcare providers to develop appropriate interventions. It is important that caregivers be in good health so as not to compromise the care they provide to their patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological*
Hope in Palliative Care: A Thematic Analysis

Beng TS, Xin CA, Ying YK, Khuen LP, Yee A, Zainuddin SI, et al.

J Palliat Care, 2020 Aug 14.
PMID: 32791956 DOI: 10.1177/0825859720948976

BACKGROUND: Hope is a positive coping mechanism that is important at all stages of illness, more so for palliative care patients.
PURPOSE: To explore the experiences of hope of palliative care patients.
METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted at University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Adult palliative care in-patients were recruited and interviewed with semi structured questions on hope. Transcripts from the interviews were thematically analyzed with qualitative data management software NVIVO.
FINDINGS: 20 palliative care patients participated in the study. The themes generated from thematic analysis were (1) The notions of hope, (2) The sources and barriers of hope and (3) The contents of hope.
CONCLUSION: Hope is an ever-present source of energy that gives people strength to carry on even in the most adverse situations. Understanding hope from the palliative care perspective may allow healthcare providers to develop strategies to better foster hope in the terminally ill.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Fulltext Hospital indoor air quality and its relationships with building design, building operation, and occupant-related factors: A mini-review

Ibrahim F, Samsudin EZ, Ishak AR, Sathasivam J

Front Public Health, 2022;10:1067764.
PMID: 36424957 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1067764

Indoor air quality (IAQ) has recently gained substantial traction as the airborne transmission of infectious respiratory disease becomes an increasing public health concern. Hospital indoor environments are complex ecosystems and strategies to improve hospital IAQ require greater appreciation of its potentially modifiable determinants, evidence of which are currently limited. This mini-review updates and integrates findings of previous literature to outline the current scientific evidence on the relationship between hospital IAQ and building design, building operation, and occupant-related factors. Emerging evidence has linked aspects of building design (dimensional, ventilation, and building envelope designs, construction and finishing materials, furnishing), building operation (ventilation operation and maintenance, hygiene maintenance, access control for hospital users), and occupants' characteristics (occupant activities, medical activities, adaptive behavior) to hospital IAQ. Despite the growing pool of IAQ literature, some important areas within hospitals (outpatient departments) and several key IAQ elements (dimensional aspects, room configurations, building materials, ventilation practices, adaptive behavior) remain understudied. Ventilation for hospitals continues to be challenging, as elevated levels of carbon monoxide, bioaerosols, and chemical compounds persist in indoor air despite having mechanical ventilation systems in place. To curb this public health issue, policy makers should champion implementing hospital IAQ surveillance system for all areas of the hospital building, applying interdisciplinary knowledge during the hospital design, construction and operation phase, and training of hospital staff with regards to operation, maintenance, and building control manipulation. Multipronged strategies targeting these important determinants are believed to be a viable strategy for the future control and improvement of hospital IAQ.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Fulltext Household food insecurity and coping strategies in a poor rural community in Malaysia

Shariff ZM, Khor GL

Nutr Res Pract, 2008;2(1):26-34.
PMID: 20126362 DOI: 10.4162/nrp.2008.2.1.26

This cross-sectional study assessed household food insecurity among low-income rural communities and examined its association with demographic and socioeconomic factors as well as coping strategies to minimize food insecurity. Demographic, socioeconomic, expenditure and coping strategy data were collected from 200 women of poor households in a rural community in Malaysia. Households were categorized as either food secure (n=84) or food insecure (n=116) using the Radimer/Cornell Hunger and Food Insecurity instrument. T-test, Chi-square and logistic regression were utilized for comparison of factors between food secure and food insecure households and determination of factors associated with household food insecurity, respectively. More of the food insecure households were living below the poverty line, had a larger household size, more children and school-going children and mothers as housewives. As food insecure households had more school-going children, reducing expenditures on the children's education is an important strategy to reduce household expenditures. Borrowing money to buy foods, receiving foods from family members, relatives and neighbors and reducing the number of meals seemed to cushion the food insecure households from experiencing food insufficiency. Most of the food insecure households adopted the strategy on cooking whatever is available at home for their meals. The logistic regression model indicates that food insecure households were likely to have more children (OR=1.71; p<0.05) and non-working mothers (OR=6.15; p<0.05), did not own any land (OR=3.18; p<0.05) and adopted the strategy of food preparation based on whatever is available at their homes (OR=4.33; p<0.05). However, mothers who reported to borrow money to purchase food (OR=0.84; p<0.05) and households with higher incomes of fathers (OR=0.99; p<0.05) were more likely to be food secure. Understanding the factors that contribute to household food insecurity is imperative so that effective strategies could be developed and implemented.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Fulltext How metabolic syndrome patients cope with stress: a qualitative study

Nor Fadhilah Abdullah, Radziah Mohd Fauzi, Sakinah Harith

The Malaysian Journal of Nursing, 2015;7(1):24-31.
MyJurnal

Background: Having multiple kinds of health problems among metabolic syndrome patients may cause
them stress. Life events also may worsen their stress. Negative stress affects not only their physical but also
emotional health. Various coping styles are used in order to deal with their stress. However, not all coping
styles can overcome their stress.

Objectives: This study aims to explore the coping styles that have been employed by the stressed metabolic
syndrome patients in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia.
Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the stressed metabolic syndrome patients in
Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. A purposive sampling was selected among stressed respondents, as
fifteen of them participated in this study after saturation data was reached. The qualitative data was analysed
using content analysis and was categorized into dysfunctional, problem-focused and emotion-focused
coping.

Results: The themes that emerged were; self-distraction, venting, behavioural disengagement, denial and
self-blame. These were categorized as dysfunctional coping; acceptance, religion and emotional support as
emotion-focused coping and active coping and instrumental support which were categorized as problemfocused
coping. Other new coping styles identified were physical intervention, avoidance and emotion
suppression.

Conclusion: Coping styles has direct influence on the feeling of stress. Stressed patients used many
dysfunctional coping styles rather than other categories of coping which lead them to remain in stress. These
data highlighted the need to educate patients about good coping styles to give them additional skills in
managing their stress thus improving their health.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Illness acceptance as mediator for cancer-related complaints and psychological distresses among Malaysian cancer patients

Chen YY, Ahmad M, Ismail FB

Future Oncol, 2019 May;15(15):1759-1770.
PMID: 30997858 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2018-0686

Aim: The present study investigated the relationship between psychological problems, illness acceptance and cancer-related complaints among Malaysian cancer patients. Patients & methods: One hundred and six cancer patients were recruited and were requested to complete validated self-reported questionnaires that measured their psychological distresses, sleep quality, pain, fatigue and illness acceptance. Results: There was a significant relationship between cancer-related symptoms, illness acceptance and psychological distresses commonly experienced by local cancer patients (p < 0.05). Illness acceptance was shown to be a mediator of cancer-related complaints and psychological distresses. Conclusion: Malaysian cancer patients with more cancer-related complaints reported a higher level of psychological distresses and poorer illness acceptance. Increased level of illness acceptance was suggested in managing cancer patients with psychological distresses and cancer-related complaints.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological*
Impact of applied progressive deep muscle relaxation training on the level of depression, anxiety and stress among prostate cancer patients: a quasi-experimental study

Isa MR, Moy FM, Abdul Razack AH, Zainuddin ZM, Zainal NZ

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(4):2237-42.
PMID: 23725119

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of applied progressive muscle relaxation training on the levels of depression, anxiety and stress among prostate cancer patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) over six months. Prostate cancer patients from UMMC received the intervention and patients from UKMMC were taken as controls. The level of depression, anxiety and stress were measured using Depression, Anxiety Stress Scales - 21 (DASS-21).
RESULTS: A total of 77 patients from the UMMC and 78 patients from the UKMMC participated. At the end of the study, 90.9% and 87.2% of patients from the UMMC and UKMMC groups completed the study respectively. There were significant improvements in anxiety (p<0.001, partial ?2=0.198) and stress (p<0.001, partial ?2=0.103) at the end of the study in those receiving muscle training. However, there was no improvement in depression (p=0.956).
CONCLUSIONS: The improvement in anxiety and stress showed the potential of APMRT in the management of prostate cancer patients. Future studies should be carried out over a longer duration to provide stronger evidence for the introduction of relaxation therapy among prostate cancer patients as a coping strategy to improve their anxiety and stress.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Fulltext Importance of indigenous knowledge in flood risk reduction: a review

Amos Danladi, Ho, Chin Siong, Ling, Gabriel Hoh Teck

Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology, 2018;11(1):7-16.
MyJurnal

Interest in Indigenous Knowledge (IK) system has been particularly highlighted in
flood disasters, due to the likely increase of flood events resulting from
anthropogenic climate change through heavy precipitation, increased catchment
wetness, and sea level rise. Therefore, bringing IK of flood risk reduction into focus
and context to deepen the understanding of how people manage their own changing
circumstances can bring more pertinent information about flood risk reduction. This
paper reviews the significance of IK in flood risk reduction. Specifically, the paper
discusses IK flood forecasting, early warning signs, adaptation and coping strategies
in flood risk reduction around the world. The Methodological approach employed for
this paper is the review of existing literature on IK in flood Disaster Risk Reduction
(DRR), and then a summary of the outcomes of the studies reviewed was discussed.
However, it was deduced from the review undertaken, the need for an intensive
empirical study to be conducted to explore how efficient these strategies or
techniques are, in relation to flood risk reduction, which this paper strongly
recommends for further investigation. Additionally, the paper concludes by
emphasizing that although the IK of flood risk reduction is embedded in varied
regions around the globe, still there is a need for further study to be carried out in
order to unveil why the similarities and variations in flood risk reduction
practices/strategies between regions.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Improving coping mechanisms of Malaysian adolescents living in orphanages through a life skills education program: A multicentre randomized controlled trial

Mohammadzadeh M, Awang H, Ismail S, Shahr HK

Asian J Psychiatr, 2020 Feb;48:101892.
PMID: 31864126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2019.101892

The current study amid to determine whether a life skills-based education could improve coping skills among adolescents in Malaysian orphanages. It was a randomized controlled trial comprising intervention and control groups which were randomly selected to receive the life skills, or the Placebo education programmes. The DASS21 and Brief COPE were used as the study instruments. Results showed the mean scores of self-distraction, active coping, use of emotional support, use of instrumental support, positive reinterpretation, planning and acceptance, at post-test, were significantly increased compared to the pre-test values. Denial, substance abuse, behavioural disengagement and self-blame significantly decreased. The findings provide an opportunity to assess the effects of participation in a life skills education programme on behavioural health in Malaysia orphanages.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological*
Fulltext Informal caregivers and their coping styles: a preliminary report

Nur Saadah Mohamad Aun, Siti Hajar Abu Bakar

Int J Public Health Res, 2011;1(1):23-30.
MyJurnal

Accepted 23 August 2011.
Introduction There is a strong correlation between stress and the quality of care provided by informal carers. In this regard, an accurate understanding about factors
contributing to stress among informal carers is crucial in order to find appropriate interventions to solve their problems.
Methods A pilot study was conducted in October 2009 in the Klang Valley area, to test the instrument liability in the local context. In-depth interviews were conducted with two informal caregivers who are providing full-time care for their chronically-ill family members.
Results Informal caregivers face multiple types of stress. A variety of factors such as financial problems, an unsupportive community, fatigue, the unavailability of social services to assist them and their inability to accept the fact that their loved ones are terminally ill, contribute to their stress.
Conclusions Differences in factors contribute to stress, and lead to the adoption of different styles of coping strategies: emotion and problem focused coping.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Fulltext Informational needs of breast cancer patients on chemotherapy: differences between patients' and nurses' perceptions

Lei CP, Har YC, Abdullah KL

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2011;12(3):797-802.
PMID: 21627386

BACKGROUND: Cancer and chemotherapy are sources of anxiety and worry for cancer patients. Information provision is therefore very important to empower them to overcome and adjust to the stressful experience. Thus, nurses should be aware of the informational needs of the patients throughout the course of their care.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify the important information required by breast cancer patients during the first and fourth cycles of chemotherapy from both the patients' and nurses' perceptions.
METHODOLOGY: This is a longitudinal study used a questionnaire adapted from the Toronto Informational Needs Questionnaires-Breast Cancer (TINQ-BC). Some modifications were made to meet the specific objectives of the study. The study was conducted in the Chemotherapy Day Care at the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Malaysia. A total of 169 breast cancer patients who met the inclusion criteria, and 39 nurses who were involved in their care were recruited into the study.
RESULTS: The overall mean scores at first and fourth cycle of chemotherapy were 3.91 and 3.85 respectively: i.e., between 3 (or important) and 4 (or very important), which indicated a high level of informational needs. There was no significant difference in information needed by the breast cancer patients between the two cycles of chemotherapy (p=0.402). The most important information was from the subscale of disease, followed closely by treatment, physical care, investigative tests and psychosocial needs. Nurses had different views on the important information needed by breast cancer patients at both time points (p = 0.023).
CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer patients on chemotherapy have high levels of informational needs with no significant differences in information needed at first cycle as opposed to fourth cycle. There were differences between the perceptions of the breast cancer patients and the nurses on important information needed. A paradigm shift, with an emphasis on patients as the central focus, is needed to enhance the information giving sessions conducted by nurses based on the perceptions of the patients themselves.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Fulltext Innovative Self-Confidence Webinar Intervention for Depression in the Workplace: A Focus Group Study and Systematic Development

Wan Mohd Yunus WMA, Musiat P, Brown JSL

Behav Sci (Basel), 2020 Dec 16;10(12).
PMID: 33339086 DOI: 10.3390/bs10120193

Brief face-to-face self-confidence workshops were effective in reducing depression among the public. Technological advances have enabled traditional face-to-face interventions to be adapted using unique technology-mediated platforms. This article details the formative development of a self-confidence web-based seminar (webinar) intervention for workplace depression. The first section discusses a qualitative study that explores the feasibility and acceptability of adapting the self-confidence workshops into a webinar platform on employees in the workplace. The second section describes the systematic development of this new webinar intervention informed by the qualitative study findings, a published systematic review, and previous face-to-face self-confidence workshops. The qualitative study involves three focus groups (n = 10) conducted in a small organization. Three themes were identified relevant to the running of the new self-confidence webinars in the workplace: personal (content, time and duration preference, features of the webinar, individual participation, personalization), interpersonal (stigma from others, engagement with participants/presenter, moderated interaction), and organizational (endorsement from management, work demand). For the intervention development, the format, structure, features, and content of the self-confidence webinar intervention are described. Features such as file sharing, virtual whiteboard, live chat, and poll are explained with the intervention primarily based on cognitive behavior therapy and coping flexibility concepts.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Fulltext Interventions for obesity among schoolchildren: A systematic review and meta-analyses

A Hamid MS, Sazlina SG

PLoS One, 2019;14(1):e0209746.
PMID: 30625165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209746

BACKGROUND: Childhood overweight and obesity has emerged as a major public health threat worldwide with challenges in its management. This review assessed the effectiveness of interventions for childhood overweight and obesity.
METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using CINAHL, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus databases to retrieve articles published from 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2017. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies comparing different strategies in managing overweight and obesity among schoolchildren (6 to 12 years of age) were included. The main outcomes of interest were reductions in weight related variables included anthropometry and body composition measurements. All variables were analysed using random effects meta-analyses.
RESULTS: Fourteen studies were reviewed, 13 were RCTs and one was a quasi-experimental study. The risk of bias for randomisation was low risk for all of RCTs except for one, which was unclear. The risk of bias for randomisation was high for the quasi-experimental study. Most interventions incorporated lifestyle changes and behavioural strategies such as coping and problem solving skills with family involvement. The meta-analyses did not show significant effects of the intervention in reducing weight related outcomes when compared with controls.
CONCLUSION: Meta-analyses of the selected studies did not show significant effects of the interventions on weight related outcomes among overweight and obese schoolchildren when compared with controls. The role of interdisciplinary team approaches with family involvement using behaviour and lifestyle strategies to curb obesity among schoolchildren is important.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Fulltext Investigation of the key determinants of Asian nurses' quality of life

Makabe S, Kowitlawakul Y, Nurumal MS, Takagai J, Wichaikhum OA, Wangmo N, et al.

Ind Health, 2018 Jun 01;56(3):212-219.
PMID: 29491251 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2017-0066

The study aimed to compare nurses' quality of life and investigate key determinants among Asian countries with different economic status. A cross-sectional survey was conducted across five Asian countries (Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Bhutan). Quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), job stress (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health questionnaire), and demographic data were assessed. Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to identify the key determinants of quality of life. Participants were 3,829 nurses (response rate: 82%) with a mean age of 33 ± 10 yr and majority were women (92%). Regarding quality of life, Bhutan yielded the highest scores, followed by Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Japan, and these results were statistically significant. The key determinants that were significantly related to quality of life were "stress coping ability," "life satisfaction," "Japan," "social support," "job stress," and "Singapore" (adjusted R2=0.46). In conclusion, nurses' quality of life differs across Asian countries and is not linked to the country's economic development. To maintain a good quality of life for nurses, an international exchange program like international nursing conferences for work environment and staff coping strategies is recommended to broaden institution' minds and share experiences and exchange views to be able to realize their own problems and discover global solutions to them.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Lay perceptions of current and future health, the causes of illness, and the nature of recovery: explaining health and illness in Malaysia

Swami V, Arteche A, Chamorro-Premuzic T, Maakip I, Stanistreet D, Furnham A

Br J Health Psychol, 2009 Sep;14(Pt 3):519-40.
PMID: 18922210 DOI: 10.1348/135910708X370781

This study examined beliefs about the causes and determinants of health, illness, and recovery in an opportunistic sample from Malaysia. In all, 371 women and 350 men completed the Health and Illness Scale, a 124-item scale that examined beliefs about current and future health, and beliefs about the causes of illness and recovery. Each of the four subscales of the Health Illness Scale were factor analysed to reveal the underlying structure. Results showed the emergence of a number of distinct factors in the case of each subscale, of which environmental, life-style, psychological, religious, and fate-related factors were fairly stable across subscales. Results also showed a number of differences in beliefs between religious groups, and that religiosity and sex were the strongest predictors of beliefs across the four subscales. The results are discussed in terms of the available cross-cultural literature on lay beliefs about health.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological
Life events and stress: do older men and women in Malaysia cope differently as consumers?

Ong FS, Phillips DR, Chai ST

J Cross Cult Gerontol, 2013 Jun;28(2):195-210.
PMID: 23652824 DOI: 10.1007/s10823-013-9190-9

The study of major life events and their effects on well-being has considerable relevance for scientific disciplines and policy making in understanding the consumer behaviour of older people. There is evidence of differences in reactions to and coping with stress between males and females but relatively little knowledge about such gender differences amongst older people, especially in middle-income countries. This study of older Malaysians looked at both coping strategies and gender differences in reactions to stress when people are confronted with certain life events. Seventeen major life events were used in interviews with 645 respondents aged 50 years or older in five major urban areas in Peninsular Malaysia. The analysis showed older women tended to experience higher levels of chronic stress than older men. They also had more health problems, had lower levels of self-esteem and were less satisfied with life. Whilst the results showed little support for gender differences in coping behaviours, stress had a significant influence on the way older men and women change store preferences. A hypothesis that older women would use more emotion-focused coping strategies was not supported. Knowledge of how older Malaysians cope with life events and stress and especially in this instance with regard to consumption behaviour, is likely to be of considerable academic and policy related interest.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological*
Lived experiences of family caregivers of mentally ill relatives

Chang KH, Horrocks S

J Adv Nurs, 2006 Feb;53(4):435-43.
PMID: 16448486 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03732.x

AIM: The aim of this paper is to report a study conducted to explore the meanings of the lived experiences that Chinese family caregivers in Malaysia ascribed to the care they provided to relatives with severe and persistent mental illness.
BACKGROUND: In the past, many researchers have used quantitative approaches to explore the experiences of family caregivers of relatives with severe and persistent mental illness. However, the results of these studies have been far from conclusive because of serious methodological flaws. In addition, a large majority of these studies were conducted in western cultures, and it has been difficult to transfer the results to family caregivers in oriental cultures.
METHOD: The philosophy of Martin Heidegger underpinned the study. Qualitative data were collected mainly through in-depth interviews with 19 criterion-selected Chinese family caregivers of relatives with severe and persistent mental illness in 2002.
FINDINGS: We present the emergent themes reflecting the meaning structures of managing, enduring, and surviving the day-to-day experiences of the Chinese family caregivers. The impact of the stigma of the relatives' mental illness on family caregivers and families is pervasive and strong. As a result, family caregivers tried to avoid talking about their relative's mental illness with extended family or friends in order to protect their families from 'losing face'. In addition, most family caregivers believed that adopting positive behaviours and attitudes helped them cope with caregiving.
CONCLUSION: Mental health nurses need to help Chinese family caregivers to cope with the stresses and stigmas of their relatives' mental illnesses through psychosocial education or family intervention, and to provide them with culturally-congruent care. They should also educate the public about mental health and ill health through health promotion and education.

Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological

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