1.Prevalence Of Depressive Disorder And Its Association With Perceived Social Support Among Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) In Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban (Htjs), Malaysia
Christabel Esther Terence ; Hatta Sidi ; Raynuha Mahadevan
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2017;18(1):10-19
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive disorder
and its association with perceived social support among patients with HIV
attending the Infectious Disease Clinic in HTJS. Methods: A cross-sectional
study was conducted, and systematic random sampling method was employed
for the selection of participants. Socio-demographic and clinical details were
obtained through a self-rated questionnaire and participants’ medical records.
Depressive disorder was screened and diagnosed using the Mini International
Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) and perceived social support was
determined using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support
(MSPSS). Appropriate statistical analyses were used to determine the prevalence
of depressive disorder and its association with perceived social support. Results:
A total of 99 patients participated in this study. The mean age of participants
was 38.16 ± 1.01 years, and the majority of participants were male (69.7%). Most
of the participants were Malay (58.6%), followed by Indians (20.2%), Chinese
(17.2%) and others (4.0%). The majority had completed secondary education
(54%), and most were employed (79.8%). Most of the participants were single
(45.5%) or married (45.5%). The lifetime and point prevalence of depressive
disorder was 24.2% and 17.2%, respectively. About 64.7% of patients with
depressive disorder were undiagnosed. Out of the 3 sources of perceived social
support, perceived social support from a significant other (OR=0.53, p=0.042,
Cl=0.29, 0.98) and perceived social support from friends (OR=0.49, p=0.015,
Cl=0.27, 0.87) were found to be negative predictors for depressive disorder.
Conclusion: This study reports that the prevalence disorder among patients with
HIV in HTJS is higher than that of the general population. Patients without
depressive disorder reported significantly higher perceived social support scores.
Perceived social supports from significant others and friends were found to be
important associated factors for lower depressive disorder vulnerability. Hence,
physicians should routinely screen for depressive disorder in this vulnerable
group and explore and mobilize their social support to reduce patients’
vulnerability to develop depressive disorder. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol.
18 (1): January – June 2017: XX XX.
2.Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms, Coping Styles And Social Support Among Survivors Of The December 26th 2004 Malaysian Tsunami Disaster
Ponnusamy Subramaniam ; Chin Hak Ying ; Shazli Ezzat Ghazali ; Aishvarya Sinniah ; Raynuha Mahadevan
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2009;10(1):32-42
Objective: This study examined the symptoms of PTSD among survivors of the December 26th 2004 Malaysian tsunami disaster, as well as differences among sexes in terms of coping styles and availability of social support. Methods: A total of 64 (28 males and 36 females) respondents from several affected districts of Kuala Muda and Langkawi in Kedah and Batu Maung, Pulau Pinang were recruited through purposive sampling. The Detailed Assessment of Posttraumatic Stress (DAPS) was used to measure the posttraumatic stress disorder/symptoms, while the Social Support Questionnaire and Significant Others Scale (Form A) were used to measure the quality and quantity of social support. The COPE Questionnaire was used to measure two coping styles; adaptive and maladaptive coping. Results: Fifty two (81%) respondents did not fulfill the DAPS-PTSD criteria while only 12 (19%) fulfilled the criteria. There was no significant difference between men and women in terms of posttraumatic stress-total, and the quantity and quality of social support. However, there is a significant difference in adaptive and maladaptive coping styles among victims who fulfill the PTSD diagnosis and those who did not. It was also found that there is no relationship between PTSD symptoms and emotional support, whereas there is a significant relationship between PTSD symptoms and practical support. Conclusion: This research showed that only a small number of respondents fulfilled the diagnosis of PTSD following their experience of a disaster. There were no difference between genders in terms of PTSD symptoms and social support. Among victims who fulfill the
PTSD diagnosis and those who do not, there is a significant difference in the adaptive and maladaptive coping styles. As for the relationship between PTSD symptoms and social support, there is a significant relationship between PTSD symptoms and practical support but not with emotional support.
3.Carers As Teachers
Raynuha Mahadevan ; Loh Sit Fong ; Aishvarya Sinniah ; Ruzanna Zamzam ; Marhani Midin ; Wan Salwina Wan Ismail
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2009;10(2):186-193
Objectives: This paper reports the outcome of Session With Carer, one of the activities in the Year 4 Personal and Professional Development (PPD) module in the new integrated curriculum of the
Undergraduate Medical Programme at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Methods: This activity
involves groups of 14 – 15 students sitting in with family members of
individuals with mental illness. The session starts with the carer giving his or her perspective of patient’s care and the challenges
involved. This is followed by a question and answer session. Finally, the carer provides a written feedback by way of scoring certain items
as well as brief comments. After the session, each student is required to prepare an individual report in the form of reflective writing. Results: Out of a total of 224 students, the reflections of 126 students were reviewed to assess what they had learnt from the Session With Carer. Among the more significant findings were: 100% learnt about the various challenges faced by carers. 31.7% learnt the importance of faith/spirituality of the carer in caring for a mentally ill family member. 29.4% learnt the importance of family and others’ support.
An equal number, that is, 26.2% learnt that it helps for the carer to have good mental health and a positive attitude, as well as good knowledge of the illness. Those who became aware of the benefits of the carer having patience and determination made up 23.8% of the total reflections reviewed. Conclusion: The findings show that the Session With Carer is very educational, and helps create more awareness of the importance of the carer’s role in patient
management and support. In other words, carers can act as teachers in creating more public awareness about mental illness and ultimately, help in gradually removing the stigma associated with mental illness. Therefore, carers should be utilized for this purpose.
4.Head and Neck Cancer Survivors’ Perceptions of Cancer Treatment and Posttraumatic Growth
Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar ; Norhaliza Abd Hamid ; Nur Amirah Hamdan ; Mohd Afifuddin Mohamad ; Rama Krsna Rajandram ; Raynuha Mahadevan ; Mohd Razif Mohamad Yunus ; Mohammad Farris Iman Leong Bin Abdullah
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.5):82-88
Introduction: Cancer patients’ perception on the treatment they received is vital to determine their adherence to
cancer treatment, but important data on how this variable affects posttraumatic growth (PTG) experience by cancer
patients is lacking. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the degree of PTG among a cohort of head and neck
cancer (HNC) survivors who were within first year of diagnosis and determined the association between perception
of cancer treatment received (expectation and satisfaction with cancer treatment received and the feeling about the
adverse effects) and PTG controlling for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: HNC survivors
were recruited from two oncology referral centres, and they were administered socio-demographic and clinical
characteristics questionnaire, the Malay version of the Cancer Therapy Satisfaction Questionnaire (CTSQ) (to assess
the satisfaction, expectation and feeling about the adverse effects of cancer treatment received) and the Malay version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGi-SF) (to measure the degree of PTG). Results: A total
of 200 HNC survivors participated in the study. The mean total PTGI-SF score was 39.5 (standard deviation [SD]
= 9.3). Greater degree of positive expectation of cancer treatment and satisfaction with cancer treatment received
significantly contributed to higher level of PTG, whereas feeling about side effects of treatment was not associated
with PTG, after controlling for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Conclusion: Incorporating psychosocial interventions (such as education on cancer treatment and counselling) into the treatment regimen may facilitate
development of PTG and hence, safeguard the mental well-being of HNC patients.