Counselling students’ perception of online learning during COVID- 19 in Malaysia

The COVID-19 pandemic is of global proportions affecting Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), with online learning becoming a prominent approach to students’ learning during the pandemic. However, minimal attention has been paid to researching online learning in Malaysia during COVID-19. This cross-sectional study examines students’ perceptions of online learning during the pandemic. A sample of 457 counselling students has been chosen using purposive sampling. Online questionnaires in Google Forms with an appended consent form were distributed to the respondents via WhatsApp with 184 respondents and a response rate of 40.3 per cent. The online questionnaire comprised demographic, students’ perception towards online learning (a closed-ended question), reasons for liking and disliking online learning (two closed-ended questions), their preferable online teaching material and delivery (a closed-ended question), and suggestions to overcome online learning constraints (an open-ended question). Data collection was carried out in approximately two weeks and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that the majority of respondents (84.8%) decided that the online learning approach was essential during the pandemic. Most students liked online learning because learning can continue even during the pandemic (75.7%), it was safer to study at home than to go to campus (63.0%), and it facilitated meeting the requirements to graduate on time (44.5%). Most disliked online learning because doing group assignments online was difficult (60.3%), attending online classes was challenging (59.8%), and taking an online test was challenging (55.3%). The respondents (50.0%) also acknowledged that the most effective teaching material and delivery tool for online learning was a PowerPoint with audio (asynchronous method). The respondents recommended internet stability and speed improvements, and a convenient space for studying online at home. This study contributes to the theory and evidence necessary for future research, programmes, and interventions to promote a fully digitally connected and informed society

A Study of Psychometric Instruments and Constructs of Work-Related Stress among Seafarers: A Qualitative Approach

Due to unpredictable and demanding working circumstances and the significant potential for dangers and accidents, seafaring has been characterised as one of the world’s riskiest and stressful vocations that lead to physical and mental health problems. However, very few instruments measure work-related stress, particularly in a seafaring context. None of the instruments are psychometrically sound. Therefore, a valid and reliable instrument to measure seafaring work-related stress is indispensable. This study aims to review work-related stress instruments and to explore the work-related stress construct among seafarers in Malaysia. This study uses a systematic review and semi-structured interviews across two phases. In Phase 1, we conducted a systematic review of several databases: Academic Search Ultimate, Emerald Journal Premier, Journal Storage (JSTOR), ScienceDirect, Springer Link, Taylor and Francis Online, and Wiley Online Library based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). In 8975 articles, only 4 (four) studies used psychological instruments and 5 (five) studies used survey questionnaires to measure work-related stress. In Phase 2, we conducted a semi-structured interview with 25 (twenty-five) seafarers, online due to COVID-19 restrictions. The semi-structured interview indicated 6 (six) themes, namely, physical stress, personal issues, social living onboard, technostress, work factors, and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. In conclusion, the present study has identified three psychometric instruments for measuring work-related stress among seafarers: The Psychological General Well-Being Index, Perceived Stress Scale, and Job Content Questionnaire. We also found psychometric elements in some of the instruments are questionable, such as theoretical basis, construct development, and inadequate internal consistency value. In addition, this study also found that work-related stress is a multidimensional construct that needs to be studied based on work contexts. The findings of this study can contribute to the body of knowledge of a work-related stress construct in a seafaring context and could help to inform policy makers in the maritime industry. This study suggests a psychological instrument to measure work-related stress among seafarers in future studies

Validation of e-psychological instrument for flood victims version-II

This study aims to validate a newly developed of e-Psychological Instrument for Flood Victims Version II (e-PIFV-II) by using expert judgment method. Measuring the psychopathology symptoms among flood victims is an important step for intervention and treatment. However, there is a gap of a valid, reliable and efficient instrument to measure flood victims' mental health in Malaysia. The e-PIFV-II is a digital self-report inventory that has 56 items with 4 dimension scales namely stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Results showed that there was strong content coefficient validity for each subscale of the instrument and the coefficient value for trauma subscale in the e-PIFV-II was increased. The coefficient value of stress was 0.8, anxiety was 0.9, depression was 1.0, trauma was 0.9 and overall was 0.9. This study supports the theoretical framework and provides practical implication in the field of clinical psychology and flood management

Transformation of emotional intelligence: generate the first class human capital among youth

This paper focuses on discussing the importance of strengthening emotional intelligence among youths to achieve more integrated human domains. The discussion is in terms of impact, challenges and needs of the transformation of emotional intelligence to the positive mind and behaviour. Human capital resources among youths are the main thrusts of national development especially from political, economic, social and educational aspects. However, the role of youth as agents of change in society would be meaningless if it is a transformation from darkness to brightness, from positive to negative and from peace to chaos. Important elements that need to be as knowledgeable youth are not merely intellectual intelligence, but also the need for strong emotional and spiritual intelligence to achieve positive emotional, positive thinking and behaviour. Emotional intelligence can be a determining factor in behaviour and ideology that is more mature and prosperous among the youth of the country. Therefore, the need to have emotional intelligence is as important as the intellectual intelligence to achieve a real balance in life. Positive youth can stand up as a citizen who is full of identity and dare to cope with the competitive world, but also wisely handle whatever challenges. A strong emotional intelligence in the youth can also help transform the country's expectation into reality in the quest for the creation of a first-class human capital

Transformation of emotional intelligence: generate the first class human capital among youth

This paper focuses on discussing the importance of strengthening emotional intelligence among youths to achieve more integrated human domains. The discussion is in terms of impact, challenges and needs of the transformation of emotional intelligence to the positive mind and behaviour. Human capital resources among youths are the main thrusts of national development especially from political, economic, social and educational aspects. However, the role of youth as agents of change in society would be meaningless if it is a transformation from darkness to brightness, from positive to negative and from peace to chaos. Important elements that need to be as knowledgeable youth are not merely intellectual intelligence, but also the need for strong emotional and spiritual intelligence to achieve positive emotional, positive thinking and behaviour. Emotional intelligence can be a determining factor in behaviour and ideology that is more mature and prosperous among the youth of the country. Therefore, the need to have emotional intelligence is as important as the intellectual intelligence to achieve a real balance in life. Positive youth can stand up as a citizen who is full of identity and dare to cope with the competitive world, but also wisely handle whatever challenges. A strong emotional intelligence in the youth can also help transform the country's expectation into reality in the quest for the creation of a first-class human capital

Transformation of emotional intelligence: Generate the first class human capital among youth

This paper focuses on discussing the importance of strengthening emotional intelligence among youths to achieve more integrated human domains. The discussion is in terms of impact, challenges and needs of the transformation of emotional intelligence to the positive mind and behaviour. Human capital resources among youths are the main thrusts of national development especially from political, economic, social and educational aspects. However, the role of youth as agents of change in society would be meaningless if it is a transformation from darkness to brightness, from positive to negative and from peace to chaos. Important elements that need to be as knowledgeable youth are not merely intellectual intelligence, but also the need for strong emotional and spiritual intelligence to achieve positive emotional, positive thinking and behaviour. Emotional intelligence can be a determining factor in behaviour and ideology that is more mature and prosperous among the youth of the country. Therefore, the need to have emotional intelligence is as important as the intellectual intelligence to achieve a real balance in life. Positive youth can stand up as a citizen who is full of identity and dare to cope with the competitive world, but also wisely handle whatever challenges. A strong emotional intelligence in the youth can also help transform the country's expectation into reality in the quest for the creation of a first-class human capita

Competencies of emotional intelligence and constructs of political behaviour among youth students

This paper stress the importance of strengthening emotional intelligence (EI) among youths. Human capital resources targeting youths are one of the main thrusts of national development in Malaysia especially from the political, economic, social and educational aspects. The main target of this study was to test the presence of the significance impact of EI competence on the constructs determining youths’ political behaviour. A total of 313 students from four public universities in Malaysia were selected as the sample. The Emotional Intelligence Self-Description Inventory (EISDI), and Political Behaviour Questionnaire (PBQ) were used to obtain data which was analysed using regression analysis. The findings showed that the hypotheses were accepted, i.e. there is an impact of EI competence on the political behaviour which significantly influenced EI on the constructs of political behaviour namely conservativism and nationalism. Hence, EI can be construed to be a determining factor in behaviour and ideology that signifies political maturity among Malaysian youth