Social value orientation and anticipated emotions in resource allocation decisions

The aim of the research reported in this thesis was to enhance our understanding of why individuals differ in their so-called social value orientation (SVO), i.e., their preferences for allocating resources equally or unequally between themselves and another person. By comparison with ‘proself’ individuals, ‘prosocials’ prefer to allocate resources equally. This has been linked to their greater sympathy with or empathy for other people. In the current research I propose that the anticipation of cooperative or competitive emotions may underlie these different preferences. To measure anticipated emotions about allocating resources fairly or unfairly, I developed a reliable and valid measure, as reported in Chapter 2. This measure was used to investigate whether anticipated emotions mediate the relation between SVO and allocation behaviour. I found that anticipated emotions did account (at least in part) for the relationship between SVO and allocation behaviour. This pattern of mediation was consistent in two cultural settings: Western European (UK, reported in Chapter 3) and Asian (Malaysia, reported in Chapter 4). I also examined whether participants’ allocation behaviour would differ as a function of whether the receiver was a member of the allocator’s ingroup or outgroup. Surprisingly, no such differences were found. Nevertheless, there was some evidence that individual differences in social dominance orientation are related to participants’ allocation behaviour, with anticipated emotion again mediating the relation. In Chapter 5, I experimentally manipulated anticipated emotion in an effort to show that this proposed mediator has a causal impact on allocation behaviour. Two experimental studies yielded evidence that manipulating anticipated emotion had a significant impact on allocation behaviour, and that the normally observed relation between SVO and allocation behaviour was eliminated by this manipulation. Overall, this thesis provides compelling evidence that anticipated emotion is a key psychological mechanism that helps to explain individual differences in allocation behaviou

Dental students’ perception, attitude, and willingness to interact with mental illness patients: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Mental illness is a psychological impairment involving emotions, cognitions, and behaviors, and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Dental students may encounter patients with underlying psychological problems during their training. Objective : To evaluate dental students’ perception, attitude, and willingness to interact with patients with mental illness. Methods: A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted involving undergraduates at three dental institutions in Malaysia using an online self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive data analysis was conducted and statistical analysis using chi-square test was done for associations (p < 0.05). Results: The response rate was 63% (225); the majority of respondents were female (77.8%) and of Malay ethnicity (88.4%). Our study found that positive attitudes are independent of respondents’ sociodemographic profiles. No significant differences in attitudes were portrayed by gender, race, or history of mental illness. Our findings suggest that respondents’ place of study, gender, and previous encounter with mental illness are associated with willingness to interact with patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Dental students displayed positive attitudes and willingness to interact with patients with mental illness. However, to further improve students’ attitudes and enhance their readiness to interact with patients with mental illness, more mental health-related educational programs should be introduced in the dental curricula

Scientists, speak up! Source impacts trust in health advice across five countries

We examined how different types of communication influence people’s responses to health advice. We tested whether presenting Covid-19 prevention advice (e.g., washing hands/distancing) as either originating from a government or scientific source would affect people’s trust in and intentions to comply with the advice. We also manipulated uncertainty in communicating the advice effectiveness. To achieve this, we conducted an experiment using large samples of participants (N= 4,561) from the UK, US, Canada, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Across countries, participants found messages more trustworthy when the purported source was science rather than the government. This effect was moderated by political orientation in all countries except for Canada, while religiosity moderated the source effect in the US. Although source did not directly affect intentions to act upon the advice, we found an indirect effect via trust, such that a more trusted source (i.e., science) was predictive of higher intentions to comply. However, the uncertainty manipulation was not effective. Together, our findings suggest that despite prominence of science scepticism in public discourse, people trust scientists more than governments when it comes to practical health advice. It is therefore beneficial to communicate health messages by stressing their scientific bases

Scientists, speak up! Source impacts trust in health advice across five countries

We examined how different types of communication influence people’s responses to health advice. We tested whether presenting Covid-19 prevention advice (e.g., washing hands/distancing) as either originating from a government or scientific source would affect people’s trust in and intentions to comply with the advice. We also manipulated uncertainty in communicating the advice effectiveness. To achieve this, we conducted an experiment using large samples of participants (N= 4,561) from the UK, US, Canada, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Across countries, participants found messages more trustworthy when the purported source was science rather than the government. This effect was moderated by political orientation in all countries except for Canada, while religiosity moderated the source effect in the US. Although source did not directly affect intentions to act upon the advice, we found an indirect effect via trust, such that a more trusted source (i.e., science) was predictive of higher intentions to comply. However, the uncertainty manipulation was not effective. Together, our findings suggest that despite prominence of science scepticism in public discourse, people trust scientists more than governments when it comes to practical health advice. It is therefore beneficial to communicate health messages by stressing their scientific bases

Influence of mental health on the well-being status among Malaysian adults before and during COVID-19 pandemic

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the well-being of individuals worldwide. Due to the scarcity of information in the Malaysian context, this study aimed at investigating the changes in well-being before and during the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia and its association with mental health status. This cross-sectional study was part of a Malaysian non-probabilistic online survey on psychosocial well-being in Malaysia, under the Personal and Family Coping with COVID-19 Global South Research Consortium. A total of 543 respondents (≥18 years old) were recruited using snowball sampling. A validated self-administered questionnaire for assessing sociodemographic characteristics, well-being, anxiety, boredom, and loneliness was circulated on social media platforms (such as Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp) and emails. Paired samples t-test, chi-square test, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were applied during data analysis. Results revealed significant changes in the mean scores of well-being, anxiety, boredom, and loneliness before and during MCO (p < 0.05). When comparing with no change in the well-being group, changes in boredom were less likely to be observed in the decreased well-being group (Adj OR = 0.874; p = 0.003) but were more likely to be observed in the group with increased well-being (Adj OR = 1.110; p = 0.002). The findings indicated that the pandemic did not necessarily create adverse effects. Instead, a different perspective is offered, which can be used as a public health strategy to help individuals cope with their mental health needs more positively

Adults&rsquo; Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine for Children in Selected Lower- and Middle-Income Countries

Since emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children aged between 12 and 15 years old was recently obtained in the United States and Europe, we aimed to assess the willingness to vaccinate children with a COVID-19 vaccine in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, we launched an online cross-sectional survey in several LMICs. Questions relating to socio-demographic information, knowledge of COVID-19, level of fear/worry of being infected with COVID-19, and willingness to vaccinate children with the COVID-19 vaccine at 50%, 75% and 95% effectiveness levels, were asked. Of the 6571 participants (mean age = 39 &plusmn; 14 years), 64.0%, 72.6%, and 92.9% were willing to vaccinate children at 50%, 75%, and 95% effectiveness levels, respectively. Respondents who were undergraduates, who were more worried/fearful about COVID-19, had higher knowledge scores regarding COVID-19, and a higher belief that COVID-19 vaccination is important to protect others, were more willing to accept COVID-19 vaccination of children. COVID-19 vaccination of children will limit the spread of the virus, especially in schools; it may decrease the need for school closures which has a negative effect on child development. Findings from this study are useful for health promotion strategies during COVID-19 vaccination implementation among children in LMICs

SNS Use, Depression Symptoms and the Moderating Role of Attachment Amongst Emerging Adults

Accumulating research suggests the positive relationship between Social Network Sites (SNS) use and depression symptoms. However, it is still unclear how the relationship between SNS use and depression develops and what are the contributing factors. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between SNS use, symptoms of depression and attachment styles. Additionally, the study tested the moderation effect of insecure attachment on the relationship between SNS use and depression symptoms. A total of 266 participants aged 18-25 years old, students of a public university in Penang, Malaysia completed an online survey containing SNS use self-report, Bergen’s Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) and Relationship Experiences in Close Relationships – Revised Questionnaire (ECR-R). Findings suggested a significant relationship between SNS use and depression symptoms. Additionally, findings showed that insecure attachment, characterized by attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance, was significantly associated with depression symptoms. It is observed that attachment anxiety was only marginally significant in moderating the relationship between SNS use and depression symptoms. Theoretically, this study suggested the role of attachment as a possible antecedent of depression symptoms, as well as a potential moderator in the relationship between SNS use and depression symptoms. Findings of this study highlight the importance of establishing and nurturing a secure caretaker-child bond which could promote more mental resilience and serve as a buffer to negative SNS use effects