ABSTRACT
During the pandemic, the lives of B40 single mothers were severely affected, especially in terms of social, economic, and psychological factors. The reduction of income caused by the crisis has forced single mothers and their children to live frugally and without luxury. They also had to perform more than one job at a time during the pandemic to meet their children's needs. A qualitative study has been conducted to explore the perceptions of quality of life during the pandemic among B40 single mothers. Respondents were selected based on demographic characteristics established before the study. A focus group discussion has been conducted on ten (10) B40 single mothers in Balik Pulau, Penang. Single mothers were selected based on purposive sampling. They had to meet the inclusive criteria required to participate in the study, specifically: aged between 20 and 60 years old, belonged to the B40 income category, had children under 18 years old living together, and became single mothers due to divorce or death of husbands. The focused group discussion explored issues related to qualities of life during the pandemic. B40 single mothers expressed their concern about access to health facilities, security in residence, children's education, and economic stability. These areas of life quality have been significantly affected especially during Movement Control Order (MCO). In short, the quality of life of these single mothers has been significantly affected by the pandemic. Their vulnerability towards stress, anxiety, and depression have worsened due to financial issues. Besides the need for emotional and social support, this study found that these single mothers entail financial support.
Subject(s)
Mothers , Quality of Life , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Mothers/psychology , Pandemics , Single-Parent Family , Social Support , Young AdultABSTRACT
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has become more prevalent globally. The disorder is predominantly characterised by low social skills noted explicitly in people with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD). The individuals usually possess a normal or superior intelligence quotient (IQ) but the disability impedes the achievement of their actual high potential, hence compromising their quality of life (QoL). Managing adversities encountered by children with HFASD often compromises the QoL of the entire family. Thus, this study aimed to identify specific domains of QoL among mothers of high-functioning autistic adolescents. The study assessed seven mothers of adolescents with HFASD using a semi-structured interview format. A thematic qualitative analysis was conducted to analyse the data. The results suggested that mothers perceived their QoL based on physical and emotional well-being, material well-being, interpersonal relationship, and environmental well-being. Intervention for HFASD is multidisciplinary, which targets a broad spectrum of symptoms and skills deficits and customises the programme to meet each individual's different needs. Nonetheless, intervention facilities in Malaysia are seriously limited, particularly in supporting QoL for children with HFASD. Therefore, by identifying the domains of QoL would improve the mothers' resilience in raising their children with HFASD.
Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder , Autistic Disorder , Adolescent , Autism Spectrum Disorder/psychology , Child , Female , Humans , Mothers , Quality of Life/psychology , Social SkillsABSTRACT
Kajian tentang kesejahteraan psikologi semakin mendapat perhatian terutamanya setelah bermulanya pandemik Covid-19. Walau bagaimanapun, kajian perbandingan kesejahteraan psikologi yang memfokuskan kepada orang bujang dan berkahwin masih kurang. Maka, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji perbandingan kesejahteraan psikologi dalam kalangan orang dewasa bujang dan berkahwin di Lembah Klang. Kajian ini secara spesifiknya dijalankan dari bulan Disember 2019 dan berakhir pada Februari 2020 sebelum pandemik Covid-19 bermula. Kajian ini merupakan sebahagian daripada kajian yang lebih besar yang mengkaji tentang kerisauan terhadap kematian. Sejumlah 295 orang responden bujang dan berkahwin serta berumur di antara 20 tahun sehingga 67 tahun telah bersetuju untuk terlibat dalam kajian ini. Reka bentuk kajian survei dengan menggunakan soal selidik telah dijalankan. Soal selidik terdiri daripada set soalan tentang ciri latar belakang kajian, punca stres dan kesejahteraan psikologi (makna dalam kehidupan, kemurungan, kerisauan dan stres). Secara keseluruhannya, terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan kesejahteraan psikologi (makna dalam kehidupan, kemurungan, kerisauan dan stres) antara individu bujang dan berkahwin. Selain itu, hasil kajian mendapati bahawa masalah kesihatan dilaporkan sebagai punca stres yang utama dan dituruti dengan masalah kewangan. Keputusan kajian menunjukkan kepentingan mengambil kira status perkahwinan dalam mendalami isu kesejahteraan psikologi pada masa akan datang. Hasil daripada itu, kajian pada masa akan datang perlu memfokuskan kepada mengkaji aspek dinamik psikologi dalam proses perhubungan rapat seperti perkahwinan yang membawa kepada kesejahteraan psikologi seseorang individu. Selain aspek psikologikal, kesihatan dan kewangan merupakan dua aspek latarbelakang yang dilaporkan terpenting dalam membantu seseorang individu mencapai kesejahteraan psikologi yang optimum dalam menghadapi kehidupan yang sejahtera.Alternate abstract:Studies on psychological well-being are gradually catching attention especially since the outbreak of pandemic Covid-19. Conversely, studies on psychological well-being comparing with single and marries are still scarce. Thus, this study aims to investigate psychological well -being comparing single and married individuals in Lembah Klang. This study specifically took place from December 2019 until February 2020 before Covid 19 pandemic outbreak in Malaysia. This study is apart from a larger study that explores death anxiety. A number of 295 respondents who are single and married with age ranging from 20 years old until 67 years old agreed to take part in this study. The study applies the survey research design using questionnaires. Questionnaires consisted of questions relating to personal background, stressor and psychological well-being (meaning of life, depression, anxiety and stress). In sum, there is a significant difference of psychological well-being (meaning of life, depression, anxiety and stress) between the single and married individuals. On the other hand, findings show that health problems was reported as the highest stressor and followed by work load and financial problems. Findings indicated the importance of considering marital status when understanding issue relating to psychological well-being in future. Hence, future studies should focus on the psychological process that takes place within a close relationship such as marital relationships that brings to psychological well-being of individuals. Besides psychological aspects, health and financial are two personal background aspects that was should also be considered in helping individuals achieve optimum psychological well-being.
ABSTRACT
Studies on psychological well-being are gradually catching attention especially since the outbreak of pandemic Covid-19. Conversely, studies on psychological well-being comparing with single and marries are still scarce. Thus, this study aims to investigate psychological well-being comparing single and married individuals in Lembah Klang. This study specifically took place from December 2019 until February 2020 before Covid 19 pandemic outbreak in Malaysia. This study is apart from a larger study that explores death anxiety. A number of 295 respondents who are single and married with age ranging from 20 years old until 67 years old agreed to take part in this study. The study applies the survey research design using questionnaires. Questionnaires consisted of questions relating to personal background, stressor and psychological well-being (meaning of life, depression, anxiety and stress). In sum, there is a significant difference of psychological well-being (meaning of life, depression, anxiety and stress) between the single and married individuals. On the other hand, findings show that health problems was reported as the highest stressor and followed by work load and financial problems. Findings indicated the importance of considering marital status when understanding issue relating to psychological well-being in future. Hence, future studies should focus on the psychological process that takes place within a close relationship such as marital relationships that brings to psychological well-being of individuals. Besides psychological aspects, health and financial are two personal background aspects that was should also be considered in helping individuals achieve optimum psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of e-BANGI Journal is the property of e-BANGI Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)