Complementary log-log with random effect model using Malaysian graduate employability data

The objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between hazard ratio or survival function of graduate employability and 8 explanatory variables. The 8 explanatory variables are as follows: gender, CGPA, geographic region, English language proficiency, area of study, curriculum satisfaction, carrier guidance services satisfaction and monthly family income. In order to study a survival function of graduate employability, we have developed a sequence of binary numbers (employed (1) or unemployed (0)) at a particular time of being employed among first degree graduate students (N=2228). The data is based on a survival study data, which traces the survival function of graduate students within 12 months of window opportunity. We have used the complementary log-log model in various forms. For the simple complementary log-log model, the results showed that the hazard risk with baseline hazard ratio relate to graduates' gender, CGPA, satisfaction with career guidance, the geographic region from which they came from, their English performance, their area of study and their family income. As for subject-specific (random effects), the hazard ratio also relates to the abovementioned variable

Reducing preoperative anxiety in patients of different ethnic origin undergoing open heart surgery at the National Heart Institute, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Facing major surgery is stressful. How patients cope with this stress can have an important influence on recovery from surgery and more generally on the outcome of illness (Cohen, 1987). Psychological interventions have been shown to reduce the levels of preoperative and post-operative anxiety and to promote recovery after surgery (Ridgeway & Mathews, 1982; Wallace, 1984; Anderson, 1987; Aiken & Henrichs, 1971, Johnston & Carpenter, 1980; Manyande & Salmon, 1992). The purpose of this study was to (1) investigate coping strategies employed by patients of different ethnic backgrounds facing cardiac surgery, (2) provide preparatory packages to patients before surgery, emphasizing different coping strategies (relaxation; coping skills; praying); (3) compare the outcome across these interventions four to five days after surgery and at two to three months after surgery; (4) compare the effectiveness of the coping skills and relaxation information packages on post-surgical outcome among the three ethnic groups, and finally (5) to study the effect of prayer as a means of reducing anxiety among Malay patients. The sample consisted of 143 Malay, Chinese and Indian patients who had been admitted to the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur for open heart surgery. Patients were seen three times before the operation and once after the operation, and then follow-up was done by mail and/or phone two to four months after discharge. After the first visit, patients were allocated to four experimental conditions: control, relaxation, coping skills, or praying. The control group received the routine hospital procedure. The Prayer group was given a list of Quranic verses to be read and meditated. All the experimental groups also received the routine hospital procedure. Psychological interventions were conducted during the second and third visits. The fourth visit was to collect post-operative data. Pre-operative measures in this study included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). During the post-operative visit, state anxiety was assessed and the post-operative schedule was completed. The follow-up data by mail (two months after discharge) consisted of BDI, STAI, GHQ and the follow-up schedule. The findings of the study include: (1) pre-operatively, a small minority of patients were depressed as measured by the BDI whereas the majority of patients regardless of ethnicity were anxious as measured by the STAI. (2) As measured by the CSQ, Malays, Chinese and Indian patients used praying and hoping, and coping self-statements more frequently than other coping strategies. In addition, there were inter-ethnic differences in the use of coping strategies; Malays tended to reinterpret pain sensations more frequently than Chinese patients, while Indians used Catastrophizing more than the Chinese and Malay patients as a mode of controlling pain. (3) Among the psychological packages used, relaxation and coping interventions were equally helpful in reducing anxiety, anxiety dysphoria and suicidal depression in all three races. (4) However among the Malay patients, the prayer intervention had no effect in reducing anxiety when compared to the relaxation and coping interventions. Finally (5) the study also indicated that preference for a particular coping strategy did not influence the treatment outcome in any of the three experimental groups. In conclusion, brief psychological interventions appear to be of value in reducing the distress experienced after major cardiac surgery. With further refinement, these psychological techniques could be incorporated into routine hospital preparation for surgical patients

Prevalence of psychological disorders among patients attending community health centers, Perak, Malaysia

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of psychological disorders among community health centers in Batang Padang district Perak. Material & Methods: To conduct this study survey research method was used, seven community health centers in Batang Padang District, Perak were contacted to collect data from (N=216) respondents, who attended health facilities in Batang Padang District. There is no age limit, no education difference and no other requirement needed. Instrument and Materials: Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) PRIME Screen and PRIME MD Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Results: Data collected from seven health community centers revealed that prevalence of Stress 86%, anxiety 124%, depression 67, psychotic symptoms 16%, somatoform symptoms 52%, panic symptoms 28%, and substance abuse 21%. the higher prevalence was stress and depression among people attending health centers. Conclusion: Results findings indicated that there is significant prevalence of psychological disorder among community health centers. Analysis of the results help us to determine that there is strong need to provide psychological services, awareness and education plan, management and prevention for psychological disorder

Coping with global uncertainty: Perceptions of COVID-19 psychological distress, relationship quality, and dyadic coping for romantic partners across 27 countries

Article first published online: August 26, 2021Following the global outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020, individuals report psychological distress associated with the “new normal”—social distancing, financial hardships, and increased responsibilities while working from home. Given the interpersonal nature of stress and coping responses between romantic partners, based on the systemic transactional model this study posits that perceived partner dyadic coping may be an important moderator between experiences of COVID-19 psychological distress and relationship quality. To examine these associations, self-report data from 14,020 people across 27 countries were collected during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic (March–July, 2020). It was hypothesized that higher symptoms of psychological distress would be reported post-COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 restrictions (Hypothesis 1), reports of post-COVID-19 psychological distress would be negatively associated with relationship quality (Hypothesis 2), and perceived partner DC would moderate these associations (Hypothesis 3). While hypotheses were generally supported, results also showed interesting between-country variability. Limitations and future directions are presented