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Autism spectrum disorder or ASD is a lifelong developmental disorder typified by impairment of social interaction, communication deficits, and repetitive behaviour. The number of children diagnosed with ASD is currently increasing globally, including in Malaysia. As the main caregiver for these children, parents face challenges due to their children's demanding situation. The rising prevalence of ASD go together with the continuous endeavours to understand and support parents in meeting challenges related to their child's ASD. While fathers nowadays are generally more involved in raising children, many research focus on parenting ASD children remain to be inclined toward mothers' experiences. This paper aims to provide an understanding on the challenges encountered by fathers with their special children. A purposive and snowball sampling of three fathers of children (aged 7 to 14 years old) with ASD participated in an in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interview. Data were transcribed and analysed using the thematic analysis method. The fathers narrated that the challenges they have encountered include: Understanding the child-specific behaviours; accepting the diagnosis; encountering phase-based temporal challenges; finding strength and patience; handling endless physical, emotional and financial sacrifices; and reflecting on religion matters. This study has identified parental challenges associated with autistic children that can serve as the foundation of the children's well-being and positive development as the experience of parents impacts parents themselves too. Additionally, findings have also highlighted the coping strategies utilised by the fathers to ensure they stay rational, stable, sensible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence-based practices that rely upon pain relieving medications and interventional strategies for symptom alleviation in chronic pain survivors have shown modest benefits. The recent emphasis of spiritual care as a new dimension of treatment strategy incorporated within the biopsychosocial model has inspired new hopes to mediate mental and physical health for illness coping. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with spirituality needs among chronic pain patients in a general hospital in Malaysia. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 117 chronic pain patients in a general hospital in Malaysia. Clinical features and assessments were evaluated by an experienced pain physician and retrieved from patient medical records. An interviewer-administered questionnaire that consisted of items on socio-demographics, the validated 19-items spiritual needs questionnaire and the visual analog scale was utilized. Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with spiritual needs in chronic pain patients. Patients had higher actively giving score as compared to other spirituality need domains. Central neuropathic pain (β = 1.691, p = 0.040) predicted existential. Renal problems (β = 5.061, p = 0.019) highly predicted religiosity; followed by head pain (β = 3.774, p = 0.036), central neuropathic pain (β = 2.730, p = 0.022), heart problems (β = 1.935, p = 0.041), income (β = 0.001, p = 0.003), living arrangement (β = − 3.045, p = 0.022), face (β = − 3.223, p = 0.005) and abdominal (β = − 4.745, p = 0.0001) pains. Predictors of inner peace include renal problems (β = 3.752, p = 0.021), shoulder pain (β = 1.436, p = 0.038) and pain duration (β = − 0.012, p = 0.027). Predictors of actively giving were renal problems (β = 3.803, p = 0.001), central neuropathic pain (β = 1.448, p = 0.017), heart problems (β = 1.004, p = 0.042), income (β = 0.001, p = 0.0001), age (β = − 0.046, p = 0.004) and abdominal pain (β = − 2.617, p = 0.0001). Chronic pain patients had higher actively giving score compared to other spirituality needs. Their spirituality needs were significantly influenced by pain type, duration and site, co-existing medical conditions and socio-demographics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current study was to determine if a life skills-based intervention programme could improve the emotional health, self-esteem and coping skills of Malaysian institutionalised adolescents. This study was a randomized controlled trial with pre-, post- and four-month follow-up tests comprising intervention and control groups which were randomly selected to receive the intervention programme (life skills education) or the placebo education programme (COMBI programme). Overall, 271 adolescents, who experienced a mild to extra severe score in one of the objectives of the DASS21 questionnaire were selected to participate in the study. The findings of this study can be the starting point of continuous, systematic life skills education for Malaysian children and adolescents, and can be used by researchers and educational planners across the country. Trial registration: TCTR20161010003. Registered on: 6-October- 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)