Search

Methamphetamine (MA) is a potent stimulant with a high potential for abuse that can be smoked, inhaled, injected or taken orally. It is easily being relapse among drug abuse. Thus, this study aims to investigate the impact of drug addiction therapy utilizing the Motivational Interviewing (MI) approach. This is a qualitative study using interview sessions as a study design. The subject is a drug misuse client undergoing imprisonment in Kajang Prison, Selangor. Client’s progression was assessed through direct observations using the Mental State Examination (MSE), client records, and client speech changes. The study revealed that client has gained mental literacy and the client needs to change his behaviors so that the misery does not recur. The use of MI strategies in treatment sessions has been able to help clients eliminate ambiguities related to addictive behaviors, clients are confident to stay recovering and now have concrete plans to not re -addict in the future. The implications of the findings of this case study suggest the MI strategy is a treatment option that counselors can use in assisting drug abuse clients.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that strike Malaysia and the rest of the world has given a huge variety of implications especially in the aspect of mental health. Students are no exception in dealing with it. It requires every student to adapt to the new norms that exist in teaching and learning (T&L) system. Thus, this study aims to examine the coping strategies and stress management that can be applied by students in dealing with stress during the pandemic. To achieve this goal a systematic search was conducted, and a simple thematic analysis approach was used to identify the coping strategies among students at higher learning institutions as discussed by previous researchers on similar topics from three search engines on (1) Scopus, (2) Social Science Citation Index (SSCI), and (3) Science Direct from 2015 to 2021 to determine the latest evidence and observations. A literature review of 10 relevant studies was rigorously analysed to get understanding of coping strategies and stress management amongst students at higher learning institutions. The findings show that there are four critical factors in stress management including (1) time management, (2) internet access issues, (2) academic workload and (4) adaptation to new norms. In addition, there are three types of coping strategies that students can do in coping with stress. Research pertaining to these issues are still lacking. This study is seen to be a new platform and guidelines especially for educational institutions to ensure that every student is equipped with stress management skills that can lead to personal well -being.

Masalah homoseksual di seluruh dunia kian membimbangkan dan Malaysia turut tidak terlepas dari terkena tempias amalan songsang ini. Tambah merunsingkan adalah apabila perangkaan statistik menunjukkan peningkatan trend individu yang mengamalkan homoseksual (gay) ini. Sesungguhnya orientasi seksual terhadap sesama jenis ini mempunyai pelbagai implikasi negatif kepada pengamalnya dan individu di sekeliling mereka seperti ibu bapa dan rakan sebaya. Justeru, kajian ini dijalankan adalah untuk mengenal pasti faktor pengukuhan orientasi seksual terhadap sesama jenis (gay) dalam kalangan remaja lelaki serta implikasinya terhadap keluarga dan rakan sebaya. Maklumat yang diketengahkan adalah berdasarkan kajian kualitatif melalui reka bentuk kajian skop. Sebanyak 36 artikel telah dijumpai dan dipilih dari EBSCO-Host, pangkalan data universiti bermula dari tahun 2015 hingga Januari 2021. Melalui teori pengukuhan atau pembentukan identiti gay yang dikemukakan oleh Cass (1996), pemahaman terhadap pengukuhan orientasi seksual terhadap sesama jenis dalam kalangan remaja dapat dihuraikan secara terperinci. Kajian mendapati bahawa terdapat pelbagai faktor yang membawa kepada pengukuhan orientasi seksual terhadap gay termasuklah faktor genetik, gaya asuhan ibu bapa, naluri dan faktor persekitaran. Orientasi seksual terhadap sesama jenis ini juga telah memberikan pelbagai implikasi negatif kepada perhubungan antara ibu bapa dan rakan sebaya. Konklusinya, kajian ini amatlah relevan dan signifikan dalam membincangkan isu homoseksual kerana ia dapat membantu badan-badan terlibat termasuklah keluarga dan rakan sebaya dalam mengatur strategi-strategi terpilih bagi berhadapan dengan implikasi buruk dari amalan homoseksual ini.

This study explored the experiences of meth-dependent patients to gain insight into their thoughts and feelings on the Contingency Management (CM) intervention used during their three-month therapeutic session at a rehabilitation center in Dengkil, Malaysia. This basic qualitative research interviewed seven participants who had just finished undergoing the CM intervention process as the main therapeutic approach. The results indicate eight major themes from three research questions: (a) increased strength to turn their life around, (b) provide positive feelings, (c) application of knowledge, (d) reward as an afterthought, (e) realization of correcting past mistakes, (f) continuous encouragement to change, (g) more confidence in their ability to change, and (h) happy seeing positive rewards to their actions. Results of the study indicate that they found CM to be successful in their recovery process from meth dependence, especially in strengthening their intrinsic motivation. Patients also feel that the reward-based system used in CM has been beneficial in making them feel more happier and realizing the past mistakes that they have made.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of the implementation of Contingency Management (CM) intervention in a mandatory treatment center in Malaysia. Treatment engagement within psycho social sessions and treat- ment motivation were monitored in a randomized controlled trial study. Methodology: A total of 44 patients were chosen as participants and randomly assigned into two groups namely the experimental group of treatment as usual + contingency management (TAU+CM) (n=22) and the controlled group of treatment as usual (TAU) (n=22). The TAU+CM group followed a 12-week CM intervention and 4-week maintenance period without CM reinforcement. Meanwhile, the TAU group went through 16 weeks of usual psychosocial session implemented in the center. Measurements: The main outcome of the research was the effect of CM toward treatment engagement within treatment session and a secondary analysis to measure the patients’ treatment motivation using Treatment Motivation Questionnaire (TMQ) during pre, post, maintenance phase and follow up after four months. CM reinforcement using reward stickers with monetary value were contingent with every achieved treatment engagement behavior. No reward was given to the TAU group. Findings: CM found to be effective on treatment engagement of the patient and has a significant effect on motivation especially toward internal motivation. Conclusion: CM proven to be effective in improving patients’ treatment engagement and patients’ motivation internally compared to the usual program.

This chapter will discuss policy research in school-based counseling in Malaysia, as an example of a Southeast Asian country. The discussion will include brief information about education systems in Southeast Asian countries, education in Malaysia, counseling services in Malaysia, school-based counseling in Malaysia, implications, and future directions.