Southeast Asia Psychology Journal (SAPJ)

PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING ANXIETY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF CAUSES, EFFECTS, AND COPING STRATEGIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION

2026-07-11T12:27:40+08:00

In today's globalized world, English language competency is essential not only for academic purposes but also for international interactions. However, many Higher Education English Language Learners (HE-ELLs) experience English-speaking anxiety, which negatively affects their classroom performance and learning outcomes. There is a relatively fragmented body of literature currently available regarding English-speaking anxiety among HE-ELLs. Therefore, grounded in psychological theories of language anxiety, this study comprehensively and methodically synthesizes 24 recent empirical studies to summarize the characteristics of research on English-speaking anxiety among HE-ELLs and identify research trends. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, relevant studies published in the last five years were collected from Scopus, ProQuest Education, ERIC databases, and further augmented by Google Scholar. In the final screening, 24 articles were included for analysis. The findings reveal that psychology- related factors, language-related factors, performance-related factors, and socio-cultural factors are all associated with English-speaking anxiety among HE-ELLs. These factors may impact learners' classroom performance, language learning outcomes, and mental health. To relieve English-speaking anxiety, various teaching strategies have been proposed, including the application of virtual reality technology, group cooperative learning, and increasing opportunities for interaction with native speakers. The findings of this study provide a deeper understanding of English-speaking anxiety among HE-ELLs in English learning in recent years. By thoroughly analyzing the root causes of English-speaking anxiety and implementing effective strategies, it offers valuable references for educators, researchers, and policymakers in overcoming anxiety in English-speaking communication.

BETWEEN PAMPERS AND PASSPORT: NEGOTIATING CHILDFREE DECISIONS AND FREEDOM GLOW AMONG MALAYSIAN WOMEN

2026-07-11T11:32:31+08:00

The increasing prevalence of voluntary childlessness has challenged conventional assumptions that motherhood represents a universal aspiration among women. Although the childfree movement has gained growing scholarly attention internationally, limited research has explored how women in collectivist societies negotiate the decision to remain childfree. This study explores the lived experiences of Malaysian women who voluntarily choose not to have children, with particular attention to the emergence of Freedom Glow as a positive psychological experience resulting from autonomous reproductive decision-making. Guided by an interpretivist paradigm and integrating Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) and Ryff's (1989) model of psychological well-being, this qualitative study employed semi- structured, in-depth interviews with eight Malaysian women who self-identified as childfree by choice. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's (2021) Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Four interrelated themes emerged: (1) Choosing Myself: Reclaiming Autonomy Beyond Motherhood; (2) Living Under Constant Questions: Negotiating Pronatalist Expectations; (3) Between Doubt and Freedom: Navigating Parenting FOMO and Freedom Glow; and (4) A Passport to Possibilities: Redefining Success Beyond Childbearing. The findings reveal that participants viewed childfree

decisions as thoughtful, intentional life choices rather than rejections of family values. Although participants experienced persistent social expectations, family pressure, and gendered stereotypes surrounding motherhood, they simultaneously described profound feelings of autonomy, emotional peace, flexibility, and personal fulfilment. These positive experiences are conceptualised as Freedom Glow, a psychosocial state characterised by self-determination, authenticity, and the freedom to pursue personally meaningful life trajectories. This study contributes to the growing literature on reproductive autonomy by extending understanding of childfree experiences beyond Western contexts and introducing Freedom Glow as an emerging conceptual framework for understanding women's psychological well-being within pronatalist societies. The findings provide important implications for family policy, gender equality, and social work practice in contemporary Malaysia.

PREVALENCE AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SABAH, MALAYSIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

2026-07-01T19:52:03+08:00

The transition from childhood to adolescence, defined by the World Health Organization as ages 10 to 19, marks a critical phase of physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Adolescents, especially those in secondary school, undergo significant changes in their bodies, often leading to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These disorders are prevalent globally and have a substantial impact on individual’s daily lives, including their education and recreational activities. This study, conducted in Sabah, Malaysia, aimed to determine the prevalence of MSDs among secondary school students and examine gender differences in MSD prevalence rates. A total of 449 students participated, with data collected using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ). Results revealed a high prevalence of MSDs, with 69.7% of students experiencing discomfort in the previous six months. Gender disparities were observed, particularly in the upper back and thigh regions, where females reported higher rates of MSDs compared to males. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive ergonomic programs tailored to school children, especially in regions like Sabah. Such programs could help reduce the risk of MSDs and raise awareness among students, families, and policymakers. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of further research to explore predictors associated with MSDs and develop targeted intervention strategies. By addressing MSDs early on, we can improve the health and well-being of school children and promote a conducive learning environment

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES IN CHINA’S HIGHER VOCATIONAL COLLEGES

2026-06-29T15:44:35+08:00

Despite increasing government attention, research specifically targeting mental health education in China’s higher vocational colleges remains fragmented. This systematic review examines the current mental health status of vocational students, identifies educational deficiencies, and proposes improvement strategies. Findings reveal that students face significant psychological challenges, while existing educational models are constrained by reactive approaches, staff shortages, and a disconnect between theory and practice. To address these issues, this paper proposes four strategies: (1) shifting to a preventive paradigm based on positive psychology; (2) optimizing faculty structures; (3) reforming curricula to emphasize practical implementation; and (4) leveraging digital transformation for precision intervention. These findings provide a theoretical basis and actionable recommendations for policymakers to enhance mental health support systems in vocational institutions.

PENERIMAAN EMOSI DALAM KALANGAN IBU TUNGGAL DI SABAH

2026-06-29T15:10:41+08:00

Kajian ini dijalankan bagi mengenal pasti tahap penerimaan emosi dalam kalangan ibu tunggal di Sabah menggunakan analisis deskriptif. Seramai 170 orang responden telah terlibat. Alat kajian yang digunakan adalah Personal and Social Competence Scale (PcSc Scale) mengandungi 67 item yang dibahagikan kepada dua bahagian iaitu kemahiran personal dan juga kemahiran sosial. Alat kajian ini menggunakan skala Likert 5 iaitu daripada skala sangat rendah kemahiran sehingga sangat tinggi kemahiran. Dapatan menunjukkan majoriti responden berada pada tahap penerimaan emosi sederhana tinggi hingga tinggi, dengan lebih 70% memperoleh skor melebihi 3.75. Keputusan ini menunjukkan bahawa kebanyakan ibu tunggal mempunyai keupayaan yang baik dalam mengenali, memahami dan menerima emosi walaupun berdepan pelbagai cabaran kehidupan.

ESTABLISHING CONTENT VALIDITY OF THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS VIOLENCE QUESTIONNAIRE (ATVQ) FOR JUVENILES IN MALAYSIAN PROBATION HOSTELS

2026-07-11T11:46:47+08:00

Attitudes towards violence are recognised as an important psychological construct in understanding aggressive behaviour and evaluating rehabilitation outcomes among juveniles. Reliable assessment of this construct is essential, particularly when instruments are adapted for use in different cultural and institutional settings. Before a questionnaire can be administered in empirical research, evidence should first be established to demonstrate that its content is relevant and appropriate for the intended context. This study aimed to establish the content validity of the Attitude Towards Violence Questionnaire (ATVQ) adopted for juveniles residing in Malaysian probation hostels. The questionnaire was adapted from two established instruments, namely the Attitudes Toward Violence Scale (ATV) and the Attitudes Toward Interpersonal Peer Violence Scale (ATIPV), while retaining all original items. A panel of nine experts with expertise in psychology, juvenile rehabilitation, counselling, psychometric assessment, and behavioural intervention evaluated seven content validation statements using a five-point rating scale. Content validity was determined using the Item-level Content Validity Index (I-CVI), the Scale-level Content Validity Index based on the Average method (S-CVI/Ave), and the Scale- level Content Validity Index based on Universal Agreement (S-CVI/UA). The findings showed that the questionnaire achieved an S-CVI/Ave of 0.81, indicating satisfactory overall content validity. Individual item agreement ranged from 0.56 to 1.00, while the S-CVI/UA was 0.14. Although several items received comparatively lower agreement, the overall findings suggest that the questionnaire demonstrates acceptable content validity for subsequent psychometric evaluation. The study provides preliminary evidence supporting the use of the ATVQ in future research involving juveniles residing in Malaysian probation hostels and offers an initial methodological foundation for further reliability and construct validation.

THE MEDIATION ROLE OF INTENTION IN COUNSELING UTILIZATION BEHAVIOR AMONG UNDERGRADUATES

2026-07-03T20:04:36+08:00

This study aimed to examine the mediation role of intention to seek counseling in the relationship between attitude and working alliance among Malaysian undergraduates attending counseling. A total of 298 Malaysian undergraduates who have attended at least one session of counseling were surveyed through two methods from Google Form sent via WhatsApp or paper and pencil method using the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help-Short Form (ATSPPH-SF), Intention to Seek Counseling Inventory (ISCI) and Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised (WAI-SR). The PLS-SEM program was used to determine the effect of mediation in the path analysis. Mediation analysis resulted in a significant indirect effect from attitudes to working alliance (ß = 0.058, t = 2.483, p = 0.013; p < 0.05) with neither confidence interval contained zero [0.019, 0.097]. Additionally, the direct effect result between attitude and working alliance was significantly positive (ß = 0.213, t = 3.651, p = 0.00; p < 0.5) but weak compared to total effect (both direct effect and indirect effect combined) of mediation is greater at ß = .027. The results revealed a complementary mediation effect of intention to seek counseling between attitude and working alliance and the relevance of explaining the mediation effect of intention in counseling usage. Higher positive attitude was associated with a stronger therapeutic working alliance through greater intention to seek counseling. The study confirmed the mediation role of intention as the central construct that is considered the most proximal determinant in behavior prediction.

UNDERSTANDING YOUTH AWARENESS OF BEHAVIORAL COUNSELING IN HIV PREVENTION: A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY IN SABAH, MALAYSIA

2026-06-30T15:40:56+08:00

Behavioral counseling is an important component of HIV prevention; however, its effectiveness depends on public understanding and acceptance. This study explored youth awareness and perceptions of behavioral counseling in HIV prevention in Sabah, Malaysia. A qualitative case study design was employed involving seven participants aged 24 to 28 years from three districts in Sabah. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, reflective diaries, and non-participant observations and analyzed thematically using the Health Belief Model and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy frameworks. The findings revealed that awareness of behavioral counseling remained limited and frequently misunderstood. Participants commonly perceived counseling as informal advice rather than a structured preventive intervention. Awareness was primarily shaped through informal social networks instead of institutional or healthcare-based sources. Low perceived susceptibility to HIV and sociocultural stigma further reduced willingness to engage with counseling services. The study highlights a disconnect between the availability of behavioral counseling and youths’ understanding of its preventive role. These findings emphasize the need for culturally responsive and youth-centered HIV prevention strategies that strengthen counseling awareness, reduce stigma, and improve engagement with preventive support services.

ANALISIS KEBOLEHPERCAYAAN DAN KESAHAN AWAL KONSTRUK INSTRUMEN PEMBANGUNAN BELIA POSITIF DALAM KALANGAN BELIA SAMA-BAJAU DI SABAH.

2026-06-29T15:35:46+08:00

Kajian ini bertujuan menilai kebolehpercayaan dan bukti awal kesahan konstruk Positive Youth Development Inventory versi Bahasa Melayu (PYDI-M)dalam kalangan belia Sama-Bajau di Sabah, Malaysia. Kajian berbentuk kuantitatif menggunakan reka bentuk tinjauan keratan rentas telah dijalankan melibatkan 500 orang belia Sama-Bajau yang dipilih melalui pensampelan rawak mudah. Instrumen kajian telah diadaptasi daripada Positive Youth Development Inventory (PYDI). Soal selidik mengandungi 48 item berbentuk pernyataan positif menggunakan skala Likert lima mata. Data dianalisis menggunakan perisian SPSS Versi 30.0. Dapatan menunjukkan nilai kebolehpercayaan keseluruhan yang tinggi (Cronbach’s α = .89). Analisis korelasi Pearson menunjukkan semua julat konstruk mempunyai kesahan konstruk yang signifikan iaitu Kompetensi (r = .470–.596, p < .001), Karakter (r = .431–.616, p < .001), Hubungan (r = .413–.643, p < .001), Prihatin (r = .558–.615, p < .001) dan Keyakinan (r = .425–.675, p < .001). Kesemua julat konstruk turut menunjukkan hubungan yang tinggi dan signifikan dengan skor keseluruhan IPBP (r = .724–.833, p < .001). Dapatan ini menyokong kesesuaian model 5C Pembangunan Belia Positif dalam konteks budaya belia Sama-Bajau di Sabah. Kajian ini menyumbang kepada pengembangan literatur pembangunan belia positif dalam komuniti etnik Sama-Bajau serta menyokong PYDI-M merupakan instrumen yang sesuai dan boleh dipercayai untuk menilai kekuatan dan potensi belia dalam konteks tempatan.

Baby FOMO or Glow Solo? Parenting FOMO, Freedom Glow, and the Psychological Well-Being of Childfree and Childless Women in Malaysia

2026-07-11T11:56:01+08:00

Malaysia's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen below replacement level, yet fertility decline is increasingly shaped by women's conscious reproductive re-evaluation rather than solely economic or biomedical factors. This study examines the psychological dimensions of non-motherhood through two emergent constructs: Parenting Fear of Missing Out (Parenting FOMO)- anxiety about foregone parenting experiences and Freedom Glow- emotional relief and self-definition from rejecting normative maternal expectations. The objective of this study is To explore how childfree (voluntary non-parenthood) and childless (involuntary non-parenthood) women in Malaysia negotiate emotional well-being, social pressure, and identity within a pronatalist socio-cultural context. Qualitative phenomenological design with in-depth semi-structured interviews. Nine women (aged 28–45) were purposively sampled across childfree (n=5) and childless (n=4) identities. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2021) identified patterns of emotional experience, autonomy, and social negotiation. Three themes emerged: (i) Freedom Glow-emotional relief, bodily autonomy, and enhanced self-definition, predominant among childfree women; (ii) Parenting FOMO-grief, incompleteness, and fear of missing socially valued

experiences, concentrated among childless women; and (iii) Normative Motherhood Pressure-familial expectations, moral judgment, and stigma affecting both groups differentially. Childfree women demonstrated higher psychological well-being (autonomy, environmental mastery, self-acceptance) aligned with Self-Determination Theory, while childless women experienced identity disruption and chronic grief resembling prolonged bereavement. Fertility decline in Malaysia reflects evolving psychological landscapes, not merely economic constraints. Women's reproductive e trajectories whether chosen or circumstantial demand gender-sensitive, non- judgmental policy frameworks that recognize autonomy, address unmet psychosocial needs, and move beyond motherhood-centric family ideologies.

APLIKASI KONSEP KECERDASAN SOSIAL INTEGRATIF IBNU KHALDUN DAN DANIEL GOLEMAN DALAM KALANGAN DI SEBUAH UNIVERSITI AWAM MALAYSIA

2026-07-11T11:13:19+08:00

Kajian ini bertujuan menilai tahap aplikasi konsep ‘Asabiyyah Ibnu Khaldun dan kecerdasan sosial Daniel Goleman dalam kalangan pentadbir akademik di sebuah universiti awam di Sabah serta menganalisis hubungannya dengan keberkesanan pentadbiran akademik. Permasalahan kajian berpunca daripada cabaran pengurusan universiti awam di Malaysia yang semakin kompleks, khususnya dalam era pasca pandemik, Revolusi Industri 4.0, serta tuntutan globalisasi yang memerlukan pentadbiran akademik yang lebih holistik dan responsif. Kajian ini dilaksanakan kerana kebanyakan model kepimpinan universiti di Malaysia masih berteraskan kerangka Barat, manakala integrasi nilai Islam dan konteks budaya tempatan kurang diterokai. Justeru, gabungan antara konsep solidariti sosial ‘Asabiyyah dan kecerdasan sosial Daniel Goleman diyakini mampu memperkukuh profesionalisme pentadbir akademik. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan reka bentuk tinjauan melalui soal selidik berstruktur yang dibangunkan berasaskan kedua-dua kerangka teori. Seramai 128 orang pentadbir akademik daripada skim pentadbiran, sains, sains sosial dan kewangan terlibat sebagai responden. Analisis deskriptif menunjukkan tahap aplikasi kecerdasan sosial berasaskan ‘Asabiyyah Ibnu Khaldun berada pada min keseluruhan 3.78 (tahap tinggi), manakala kecerdasan sosial Daniel Goleman berada pada min keseluruhan 3.65 (tahap sederhana tinggi). Analisis korelasi Pearson membuktikan terdapat hubungan signifikan positif yang kuat antara kedua-dua konstruk dengan keberkesanan pentadbiran (r = 0.612, p < 0.01). Seterusnya, analisis regresi berganda mendapati kedua-dua konstruk memberi pengaruh positif yang signifikan terhadap keberkesanan pentadbiran (β = 0.428, p < 0.01 untuk ‘Asabiyyah; β = 0.356, p < 0.01 untuk Goleman), dengan dimensi solidariti sosial (‘asabiyyah) dan empati (social awareness) sebagai instrumen paling dominan. Perbincangan kajian mendapati bahawa

integrasi nilai sosiologi Islam klasik dengan teori psikologi moden dapat memperkukuh kecekapan sosial, kepimpinan empati, serta budaya organisasi yang berteraskan nilai. Dari perspektif teori, kajian ini menyumbang dengan memperkenalkan Model Integratif Kecerdasan Sosial Ibnu Khaldun, Daniel Goleman sebagai kerangka baharu dalam bidang kepimpinan akademik. Dari sudut praktikal, dapatan kajian menjadi asas kepada pembangunan modul latihan pentadbir akademik yang lebih holistik dan bersepadu, manakala dari sudut dasar, hasil kajian ini boleh dijadikan rujukan oleh universiti serta Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi dalam merangka polisi pembangunan kepimpinan akademik yang lebih relevan dengan konteks Malaysia. Kesimpulannya, kajian ini membuktikan bahawa aplikasi ‘Asabiyyah Ibnu Khaldun dan kecerdasan sosial Daniel Goleman bukan sahaja berada pada tahap yang memuaskan, malah terbukti mempunyai hubungan dan pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap keberkesanan pentadbiran akademik. Model integratif yang dicadangkan diharap dapat menjadi rujukan akademik dan praktikal dalam memperkukuh profesionalisme pentadbir akademik serta menyumbang kepada kecemerlangan universiti awam Malaysia di peringkat nasional dan antarabangsa.

PSYCHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALE OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT (MSPSS) AMONG MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

2026-07-01T19:27:27+08:00

Social support is crucial in order to help students cope and analyse their mental health and overall well-being. Students' mental health may be impacted by stress from their personal lives as well as their studies, which may lead to suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. The objective of this study is to evaluate the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) among Malaysian university students in terms of internal consistency, item-total correlation method and convergent, concurrent validity. The sample consisted of 268 university students from public and private universities around Malaysia. The MSPSS is an instrument to determine the degree of perceived social support from three sources: significant others, family, and friends. Cronbach's alpha of the three dimensions of MSPSS ranges from 0.898 to 0.916, which indicates a high reliability for the instrument. Item analysis using the item-total correlation method also shows that the items for the three distinct MSPSS dimensions are related to one another and measure the same construct. Convergent validity also shows that there was a significant correlation between the three dimensions, as evidenced by the correlation coefficient between them, which ranged from 0.477 to 0.528 with p < .001. On the other hand, concurrent validity scores demonstrate that the YSAS and ATTS scores have a negative and insignificant relationship with all three of the MSPSS dimensions. MSPSS is a reliable instrument that is suitable to assess the perceived social support for university students in Malaysia. However, the concurrent validity of this instrument required further research.

THE ECOLOGY OF WELL-BEING: SELF-ESTEEM, CLIMATE ANXIETY, AND THE MODERATING ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IDENTITY

2026-06-29T15:18:53+08:00

Climate change anxiety has emerged as a significant psychological concern among young adults, reflecting emotional distress related to environmental degradation and climate-related threats. This study investigated the moderating effects of environmental identity and climate change anxiety on the relationship between self-esteem and psychological well-being among Indonesian young adults (N = 409, aged 18-25 years). Using a cross-sectional correlational design, participants completed measures of self-esteem, psychological well-being, climate change anxiety, and environmental identity. Moderated multiple regression analysis revealed that self-esteem was a significant positive predictor of psychological well-being (β = .210, p < .001), consistent with established literature. Unexpectedly, environmental identity showed a significant negative direct effect on well-being (β = -.107, p = .028), suggesting that strong connection to nature may entail emotional costs. Climate change anxiety did not significantly predict well-being (p = .069). Crucially, the hypothesized moderation effect was not significant (β = .044, p = .470), indicating that environmental identity does not influence the self-esteem-well-being relationship. These findings suggest that environmental identity and self-esteem represent separate pathways to well-being rather than interactive mechanisms. Results highlight the need for culturally tailored interventions addressing climate-related distress directly, rather than assuming enhanced self-esteem will mitigate these emerging psychological challenges among young adults in climate-vulnerable contexts.