The Role of Social Support in Dealing With the Different Types of Stressors: Social Support in the Workplace

Social support plays an integral role in every person’s mental health and well-being. This is especially apparent in the work environment, where stress levels can range from moderate to severe depending on how each individual manages and cope with his or her own circumstances. The goal in this chapter is to outline current research on the role of social support in dealing with different types of stressors in the workplace. Further, this chapter will summarize key findings and concepts, particularly focusing on the following areas: 1) definition of social support, 2) social support theories, 3) social support on mental health and well-being, and 4) social support as a form of intervention in the workplace

Malaysian private university students’ perception of online discussion forums: A qualitative enquiry

The continuous advancement in technology has transformed physical learning platforms into digital spaces in higher education. In Malaysia, instructors and students are gradually adopting the e-learning or blended-learning approach by using online discussion forums (e.g. BlackBoard) or social networking sites (e.g. Facebook groups) to engage students’ participation in courses and encourage self-directed learning. This study presents a qualitative view of students’ perception of engaging in online discussion forums in a synchronous learning environment, and their views on the positive and negative aspects of using online discussion forums for learning. Results indicate that students perceive autonomy and sense of belongingness in the online community as main factors that influence their voluntary and active participation in the online discussion forums. Technical challenges remain as a key factor in determining students’ interests to utilize online discussion forums for learning. While future research is needed to assess the sentiments of Malaysian students in online learning, this study was intended to provide Malaysian instructors and higher education institutions a preview on the sentiments of students towards online learning to better improve the aspects of technical, pedagogical methods and policies for online learning as the nation moves towards Education 4.0

Collectivistic coping styles and mental well-being of college students in Malaysia

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and collectivistic coping styles (CCS) among Malaysian college students. A total of 176 (130 females, 46 males) students from a university in Selangor, Malaysia, completed measures of CCS and mental well-being. Data were analyzed using correlation coefficient and regression analysis. Results revealed a significant positive relationship between mental well-being and CCS. Specifically, regression analysis showed that acceptance, reframing, and striving (ARS), family support (FS), and private emotional outlet (PEO) were significant predictors of mental well-being among college students in Malaysia. These dimensions of collectivistic coping strategies were particularly useful to mitigate stressors among college students in Malaysia

Job satisfaction and mental wellbeing among high school teachers in Malaysia

Job satisfaction plays an important role in regard to teachers’ continuation in the teaching profession. School-based factors such as relations with colleagues, parents, and student behavior are important factors that contribute to teachers’ fulfillment in their workplace. This study examined the relationship between job satisfaction and wellbeing among high school teachers in Malaysia. A total of 111 full-time high school teachers (99 females, 12 males) from two schools located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, completed measures of the Teacher Job Satisfaction Scale and Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Data were analyzed using correlation coefficient and regression analysis. The results indicated significant positive correlation between teachers’ job satisfaction and wellbeing. More specifically, teachers’ satisfaction with students’ behavior and students’ parents were significant predictors of mental wellbeing. This study highlighted job satisfaction that teachers themselves may have for positive personal relationship with co-workers, students, and student’s parents, providing further understanding of the contribution of job satisfaction to teachers’ mental wellbeing. This study helps complement previous studies by providing a further understanding on the contribution of job satisfaction to teachers’ wellbeing in the Malaysian context

The use of mobile technologies for learning in higher education: Students' readiness

A rapid evolution of technologies and their proliferation in the education system has created a new paradigm of learning with universities embarking on the integration of mobile technologies in higher education. As a result, mobile learning has emerged as a new way of learning. Mobile learning utilises mobile technologies such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and the Internet, allowing students to learn anywhere and access learning resources anytime. To ensure the successful implementation of mobile learning in higher education, it is imperative to understand students’ readiness for using mobile technologies to learn. This paper examines whether undergraduate students of a private university are ready to adapt to the mobility of learning through the use of mobile technologies. A quantitative research approach was adopted. Data was collected from a sample of 234 students of a private university using questionnaires. The descriptive statistics analysis shows that students were fairly comfortable (61.1%, M=3.17) with the use of mobile technologies for learning purposes (98.3%), specifically for accessing and downloading online journals (82.5%) and searching for information (82.1%). Most students somehow agreed that products and services that use technologies were much more convenient to use (M=3.75) and they were open to learning new and different technologies (M=3.71); however, students were only moderately ready for mobile learning if it is were to be implemented by their university (M=3.32). This study concludes that students are ready to use technology as they are fairly comfortable with the use of mobile technologies, yet they are only moderately ready to adopt M-Learning. However, despite demonstrating an interest towards mobile technologies used for learning, the students are still not quite ready to adopt M-Learning in higher education. The present study contributes to a growing body of empirical research about the mobile technologies used for learning in Malaysian higher education and recommends that the Ministry of Education assesses the prospect of applying mobile technologies for learning in higher education institutions

The use of mobile technologies for learning in higher education: Students' readiness

A rapid evolution of technologies and their proliferation in the education system has created a new paradigm of learning with universities embarking on the integration of mobile technologies in higher education. As a result, mobile learning has emerged as a new way of learning. Mobile learning utilises mobile technologies such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and the Internet, allowing students to learn anywhere and access learning resources anytime. To ensure the successful implementation of mobile learning in higher education, it is imperative to understand students’ readiness for using mobile technologies to learn. This paper examines whether undergraduate students of a private university are ready to adapt to the mobility of learning through the use of mobile technologies. A quantitative research approach was adopted. Data was collected from a sample of 234 students of a private university using questionnaires. The descriptive statistics analysis shows that students were fairly comfortable (61.1%, M=3.17) with the use of mobile technologies for learning purposes (98.3%), specifically for accessing and downloading online journals (82.5%) and searching for information (82.1%). Most students somehow agreed that products and services that use technologies were much more convenient to use (M=3.75) and they were open to learning new and different technologies (M=3.71); however, students were only moderately ready for mobile learning if it is were to be implemented by their university (M=3.32). This study concludes that students are ready to use technology as they are fairly comfortable with the use of mobile technologies, yet they are only moderately ready to adopt M-Learning. However, despite demonstrating an interest towards mobile technologies used for learning, the students are still not quite ready to adopt M-Learning in higher education. The present study contributes to a growing body of empirical research about the mobile technologies used for learning in Malaysian higher education and recommends that the Ministry of Education assesses the prospect of applying mobile technologies for learning in higher education institutions

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Let’s talk – face to face

Many youngsters in Malaysia seem to be heavily leaning on the use of digital communication channels to connect with others, especially through social media and mobile instant messaging chatgroups. This appears to be coming at a cost to their ability to engage in effective face-to-face networking. This trend not only signals a drastic shift in our communication landscape but also stands to impact interpersonal growth and relationships among our youth

Help STPM, SPM students choose right career path

Letters: We must support and encourage Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia students to pursue higher education. Counsellors and teachers should help students understand the potential outcomes of their choices and guide them. Therefore, we should promote awareness about the long-term benefits of a university degree through educational campaigns, workshops and information sessions