1.Relationship Among Depression, Self-efficacy, and Quality of Life Amoong Students in Medical and Allied Health Sciences.
Firdaus Mukhtar ; Hairul Anuar Hashim
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2010;6(2):51-58
Introduction: This study examined a cognitive model of depression among undergraduate students of medical and allied health sciences. Methods: Participants (N=279) completed a series of questionnaires related to depression (Beck Depression Inventory-Malay), negative cognitions (Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Malay), dysfunctional attitude (Dysfunctional Attitude Scale-Malay), stressful life events (Life Events Survey), self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy) and quality of life (WHO Quality of Life-BREF). Results: Results of descriptive analysis revealed a higher percentage of severe depression among males when compared to female students. Results of structural equation modeling indicated an adequate fit of the model (X²=21.29, df=15, p>13; GFI=0.97; CFI=0.97; RMSEA=0.4). Conclusion: The findings also indicated the potential roles of self-efficacy in mediating depression. The results are discussed in terms of self-regulating strategies of managing depression and the roles that university authorities may play in helping students to regulate depression.
2.Effectiveness of Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Augmentation In Reducing Negative Cognitions In The Treatment Of Depression In Malaysia
Firdaus Mukhtar ; Tian PS Oei ; Mohd Jamil Mohd Yaacob
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2011;12(1):1-16
Objective: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for depression is popular in Western countries. In the context of Malaysia, CBT has been applied as an individual session in a clinical setting. However, there is limited research in the area of group CBT for depression among Malays. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (GCBT) in reducing the negative cognitions that are related to depression in a group of Malay patients. Methods: One hundred and thirteen patients, diagnosed with depression, were randomly allocated to either a Treatment As Usual (TAU) group (n = 55), or a TAU plus GCBT group (n = 58). All participants completed two questionnaires that measured maladaptive cognitions at pre-treatment, midway through treatment, post-treatment (week 4), and at follow-ups after three (week 16) and six months (week 28). Results: The TAU+GCBT patients improved significantly more, and at a faster rate, than the TAU group; which showed minimal improvement. The effect size (Cohen’s d) of the treatment group was 0.93 and 96.55% of the treatment group achieved a clinically significant change. Conclusions: The findings suggest that GCBT, when used in addition to the TAU, is effective in reducing negative thoughts and maladaptive attitudes of Malaysian patients suffering from depression.
3.Reliability and Factor structure of the General Health Questionnaire-12 among university students
Normala Ibrahim ; Zubaidah Jamil Osman ; Khin Ohmar Naing Noor Jan ; Siti Irma Fadhilah Ismail ; Phang Cheng Kar ; Firdaus Mukhtar ; Sherina Mohd Sidik
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2014;10(2):53-60
Introduction: The 12- item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) has been translated into many
languages and widely used in different settings and countries. Its reliability and psychometric properties
were extensively studied in many population groups which suggested that it measures psychological
distress in multidimensional construct. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the reliability
and factor structure of the Bahasa Malaysia version of the GHQ-12 among university students attending
a health program at a Malaysian public university. Method: The cross sectional survey was conducted
on 306 undergraduate students aged between 18 to 27 years old who visited the booth set up for mental
health screening at a health program. The screening was conducted using a self-administered, validated
Bahasa Malaysia version of GHQ-12 questionnaire. Results: Using exploratory factor analysis, the
Bahasa Malaysia version of GHQ-12 was found to have a three factor structures namely depressive
symptoms, self-esteem and perceived abilities which accounted for 58% of the item variance. The overall
Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the scale was found to be high (0.84) with each factor having acceptable
inter-item consistency ranging from 0.61 to 0.82. Conclusion: The findings of the study show that the
Bahasa Malaysia version GHQ-12 is reliable and has good structural characteristics. It can assess a few
domains of the psychological status of university students. It also helps in providing more information
on the domain which may become a focus target of intervention in the prevention of mental illness.
Quality of Life
;
Delivery of Health Care
4.Prevalence and predictors of depression and suicidal ideation among adolescents attending government secondary schools in Malaysia
Normala Ibrahim ; Sherina Mohd Sidik ; Phang Cheng Kar ; Firdaus Mukhtar ; Hamidin Awang ; Ang Jin Kiat ; Zubaidah Jamil Osman ; Siti Fatimah Ab Ghaffar
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2017;72(4):221-227
5.Treatments for Anxiety Disorders in Malaysia
Jamilah Hanum Abdul Khaiyom ; Firdaus Mukhtar ; Oei Tian Po
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2019;26(3):24-36
This current study aims to systematically review the treatments for anxiety disorders in
Malaysia. PsycINFO, MEDLINE databases, and 28 local journals were used to search published
papers in this area. Eight articles were subjected to review after excluding 273 papers that did
not meet the inclusion criteria. A total of 598 participants with various types of anxiety disorders
were included in the review. Based on the findings, the combination of pharmacotherapy
and psychotherapy provided better treatment outcomes if compared to psychotherapy or
pharmacotherapy alone. The combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and cognitive
behaviour therapy was considered as one of the most effective treatment to treat patients with
anxiety disorders in Malaysia. This is in line with the clinical practice guidelines from the Ministry
of Health Singapore and Canada. Even though there were some limitations in the methodology and
reporting of the results, it can be concluded that efforts have been taken to conduct studies related
to treatments for patients with anxiety disorders in Malaysia. Future studies are suggested to make
conscious efforts to overcome these limitations.
6.A Preliminary Study On The Specificity And Sensitivity Values And Inter-Rater Reliability Of Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview (MINI) In Malaysia
Firdaus Mukhtar ; Abdul Kadir Abu Bakar ; Mazni Mat Junus ; Azizul Awaludin ; Salina Abdul Aziz ; Marhaini Midin ; ; Muhammad Fadzillah Abdul Razak ; Nurashikin Ibrahim ; Ang Kim Teng ; Jasvindar Kaur ; Hairul Anuar Hashim ; Maniam Tambu ; Noor Ani Ahmad
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2012;13(2):1-8
Objective: The MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) is a short, structured diagnostic interview compatible with the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV). It was designed for clinical practice, research in psychiatric, primary care settings and epidemiological surveys. This
preliminary study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Malaysian Version of MINI for Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder
symptoms criteria only. Methods: Six hours of MINI training was given as part of a National Health Morbidity Survey training program for layman interviewers
(n=229) and three videos were prepared by an expert psychiatrist for inter-rater reliability purposes. Meanwhile, for validity purposes, the MINI was administered
to patients with Major Depressive Disorder (n=30), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (n=20) and to a normal population (n=60), to conform against the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-IV) that was administered by psychiatrists. Results: Overall the inter-rater reliability was satisfactory (0.67 to
0.85) and the concordance between the MINI’s and expert diagnoses was good, with kappa values of greater than 0.88. Conclusions: The Malay version of the MINI is
adjusted to the clinical setting and for the assessment of positive cases in a community setting. Modifications were highlighted to correct any identified
problems and to improve the reliability of the MINI for future research and clinical use.
7.Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms among Adult Patients with Atopic Dermatitis in Malaysia Tertiary Referral Hospital
Nur Hafidah Ishak ; Chong Seng Choi ; Normala Ibrahim ; Firdaus Mukhtar ; Umi Adzlin Silim
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.4):193-200
Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is not only a cosmetic nuisance but is also associated with a significant impact
on mental health and quality of life. Psychological symptoms are highly related to poor treatment adherence and
recovery, more comorbidities, and a significant overall socioeconomic burden. Identifying the factors associated
with anxiety and depression among patients with AD is important to modify and reduce the risk of developing these
psychiatric complications. Methods: This was correlational research conducted in the dermatology clinic of four hospitals in Klang Valley, namely Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang, Hospital Selayang,
and Hospital Ampang. By using a purposive sampling method, 128 samples (n=128) of adult patients with AD aged
18-65 were included. A questionnaire was administered regarding sociodemographic background, illness characteristics of AD, the Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA), Malay version of the Automatic Thought Questionnaire-17,
GAD-7, and PHQ-9. Results: The prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among adult patients with AD
is 31.3% and 46.9% respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that age and personal maladjustment (PM) predict anxiety symptoms, while only negative self-concept/expectation (NSNE) predicts depressive
symptoms. The hierarchical logistic regression model explained 51% (Nagelkerke’s R2) of the variance in anxiety
symptoms and 56% (Nagelkerke’s R2) of depressive symptoms. Conclusion: There is a high proportion of anxiety and
depressive symptoms among adult patients with AD which is associated with negative automatic thoughts. In the
management of adult patients with AD, clinicians should consider mental health symptom screening and monitoring.