Kesihatan reproduktif dan seksualiti adalah penting dalam kehidupan seseorang individu. Pendidikan tentang kesihatan reproduktif dan seksualiti yang berkesan dapat membantu mengurangkan gejala sosial seperti zina, hamil luar nikah, pembuangan bayi, dan seks songsang (LGBT) dalam kalangan orang Islam. Kurang kefahaman dan stigma dalam kalangan masyarakat membawa kepada kesukaran berbincang tentang isu kesihatan reproduktif dan seksualiti ini. Sebaliknya, Al-Quran telah memaparkan ayat-ayat berkaitan aspek reproduktif dan seksualiti ini dan menunjukkan pengiktirafan terhadap fitrah kejadian manusia yang berkeperluan kepada pasangan. Kertas ini bertujuan untuk mengenalpasti tema-tema aspek reproduktif dan seksualiti dalam Al-Quran, di samping menganalisis ayat-ayat tersebut secara ringkas. Kaedah analisis dokumen digunakan iaitu daripada Al-Quran sendiri, tafsir dan sumber-sumber kajian kepustakaan. Hasil kajian mendapati terdapat kepelbagaian sub-tema tentang aspek reproduktif dan seksualiti yang dinyatakan dalam Al-Quran. Tema terhasil adalah selari dengan perkembangan manusia dalam kitaran kehidupannya. Tema-tema ini dapat menjadi panduan untuk pendidikan kesihatan reproduktif dan seksualiti individu Muslim.

Selaras dengan polisi kerajaan untuk menjadikan Malaysia sebuah negara maju menjelang 2020 yang menumpukan kepada aspek ekonomi dan sosial,institusi perkahwinan dan keluarga perlu diperkukuhkan. Proses pembangunan yang pantas memberi tekanan dan cabaran kepada institusi kekeluargaan. Walaupun banyak usaha telah dilaksanakan bagi memperkukuhkan institusi kekeluargaan, masih kurang bukti yang menunjukkan keberkesanan usaha sedia ada. Kertas kerja ini bertujuan untuk menerangkan satu model yang berasaskan integrasi kaunseling konvensional dan pendekatan Islam untuk membantu pasangan Islam dalam kaunseling. Kajian ini akan melibatkan analisis teks Qut al Qulb karangan Abu Talib al-Makki dan kajian lepas tentang bahan-bahan daripada kedua-dua kaunseling konvensional dan Islam. Model ini menekankan tentang kepentingan intervensi kaunseling yang menggabungkan kedua dua elemen naqli dan aqli bagi menyokong klien orang Islam. Model ini berpotensi untuk menjadi panduan apabila berhadapan dengan pasangan beragama Islam. Adalah diharapkan kajian ini meningkatkan kesedaran untuk menambahbaik perkhidmatan kaunseling kepada pasangan Islam. Selain daripada itu, kajian ini juga diharap dapat meningkatkan kesejahteraan institusi kekeluargaan dan masyarakat amnya.

Throughout the history of mental health and well-being research, the pre-dominant focus of study has been pathological in nature. However, a trend toward the study of positive well-being has taken hold in the mental health field recently and one such concept is forgiveness. Forgiveness is considered a human strength and an important factor that influences human development. Based on previous research, in general, both lay person and therapists consider forgiveness to be beneficial and therapeutic. This paper tries to look at the conceptualization of forgiveness, models of forgiveness and factors that affects forgiving. Counseling implications and future research directions are also discussed.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sound therapy in increasing calmness and reducing stress on working Muslim women in Malaysia. The design of this study was experimental using single group pretest-posttest. Eighty-eight Muslim women who are married and employed, participated in this study and their level of calmness and stress were measured before and after they were given two types of sound therapy intervention, the first being sounds of nature and the second, a recitation of Quranic verse. Both types of sound therapy shows significant increase in participants' calmness and reduction of their stress level but the second type of sound therapy (i.e. recitation of Quranic verse) shows better results than the first type (sounds of nature). These findings demonstrate that an intervention using sound therapy produces positive effects on the body. The result suggests that the use of sound therapy for working Muslim women in Malaysia may improve their calmness and reduce their stress level thus, underscore the need for additional research.

Psychosocial interventions are varied for substance abuse treatment. The aim of the present article was to investigate the effects of solution-focused group therapy with substance abuse clients in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from July 2015 through August 2015. In a quasi-experimental design, fifty-seven participants were selected and they completed a pre- and post-assessment on Treatment Outcomes Questionnaire and Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation. Results indicated that the participants' treatment outcomes and psychological well-being significantly increased upon receiving solution-focused therapy. However, adaptation of its interventions, such as the miracle question and scaling technique may be necessary in response to collectivist and past-time orientation culture of Malaysian client.

Recovery from drug addiction is a life-long process. The aim of this preliminary study was looking at the experiences of family support by people in recovery from drug addiction. This study employs a qualitative format using semi-structured interviews with four recovering drug users. Several themes were identified and discussed in relation to the literature on family support of people in recovery. The results highlight the importance of family support in the recovery of drug addiction. Suggestions and recommendations are also included.

Introduction: The advancement of technology and an ecological shift in the creative media industry requires managers and TV production workers to adapt to changes to ensure their well-being. Recent development shows a growing concern for the mental, physical and social health of creative media workers that demands a more in-depth investigation. Studies have found that those working in television production are facing long hours of work, poor pay, isolation and insecurity. However, there is little empirical research undertaken on those who work in the Malaysian creative media industry, especially Malay Muslims. Studies of media workers in Malaysia are mostly concerned with news production and the impact of reporting and journalistic challenges. The purpose of this study is to explore how Malay Muslim creative media workers manage and negotiate their mental health and well-being issues. Methods: By employing a phenomenological approach, interviews were conducted with seven participants, exploring their experience in the creative media industry. Results: The study found four emergent themes: (a) passion and commitment for creative endeavours, (b) work culture, (c) issue on work-life balance, and (d) role of religion. Discussion: This study is an attempt towards understanding the mental health of those working in the creative and entertainment realms in Malaysia. Based on the findings, implication for practitioners and future studies are discussed.

Significant attention has been shown in research on wellness for individuals with substance abuse or dependence. However, wellness among families affected by substance abuse has received limited focus in addiction research. Given the neglect of family perspectives in this field, this qualitative study explore the conceptualization of wellness as perceived by families with substance abuse. Individual interviews were conducted with five mothers of addicts, in one treatment setting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to identify important dimensions of wellness and their interpretation by families. Data was analysed using constant comparative method. Findings supports previous literature that wellness is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon encompassing dimensions related to the family’s everyday life and situation. Protective and environmental factors that promote or prevent development of wellness were identified. This study provides the opportunity to learn from families affected by substance abuse and factors that have supported them in maintaining their wellness while living in an environment that challenges their ability to maintain a healthy balance. Factors and strategies that promote wellness identified in this study may assist in the development of further investigations and interventions that support wellness.

Purpose – This study aims to explore the family experiences of delinquent adolescents and uses a descriptive phenomenological research design. Design/methodology/approach – The study explores the family experiences of delinquent adolescents and uses a descriptive phenomenological research design. Eight adolescents that were under detainment in a rehabilitation centre in Malaysia participated in the study. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and reflective journals. Findings – Five themes common to the participants’ experience were inductively identified from the analysis. These were: life without guidance, alienation and isolation, conflict on how the family is managed; I amstill a little child and prisoners at home.

Aims: The current study explores the benefits of a family intervention program on families and their adolescent children who were convicted as juveniles. Adolescents and their families shared their experiences in joining the program, especially the improvement they made while in the program. Demographics: Research participants included eight adolescents, six mothers, and two fathers. Settings: The program took place in Malaysia's adolescents’ rehabilitation center. Methodology: Data were collected through an in-depth interview with participants. Analysis: Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings: Findings revealed five main themes: (1) awareness and insight; (2) Understanding risk and protective factors of delinquency; (3) the opportunity to learn roles in the family; (4) Learning to improve communication skills; and (5) Learning to forgive. Implications: The study provides insight into the importance of family involvement in delinquent adolescents’ rehabilitation and the need to consider the family system approach in counseling delinquent adolescents.

The mother’s role is essential in an adolescent’s development due to the challenges of life and exposure to the outside world, which affect and constantly change the mother’s role. This study intends to explore the experiences of the mother’s roles in the mother-child relationship among adolescents with unwanted pregnancies. A phenomenological approach was employed to obtain the essence of the experiences. A total of 10 participants comprising of five pregnant adolescents and their mothers were interviewed to understand the role played by the adolescents’ mothers during the pregnancy. A diary was distributed among the adolescents to allow them to externalise and express the experiences that they had with their mothers while being pregnant. This study used thematic analysis because it is flexible in interpreting the data and allows to approach large data sets more easily by sorting them into broad themes. Five themes emerged as follows: (a) supervising and monitoring, (b) rules and regulations, (c) showing affection, (d) educating adolescents, and (e) giving encouragement and support. This study provided insights on the mothers’ struggles in raising their adolescents which were highlighted from two perspectives: adolescents and mothers. The findings revealed the challenges faced by the mothers with various types of family structure.

This qualitative study aims to understand the role of religion and spirituality in counseling from the experience of Malaysian counselors. The study participants comprised twelve counselors with experience integrating religion and spirituality into their practice. Data was collected using individual semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The data was then analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the study, namely: (i) religion and spirituality give meaning to life, (ii) building self-reliance, and (iii) strengthening relationships with God and fellow human beings. Implications of the study to research and practice are discussed.

Due to the challenges of globalization, more and more married couples in Malaysia are involved in long-distance relationships. Despite this trend, few studies have documented the experience and impact of long-distance marital relationships on husband or the role of religion in helping Muslim husbands cope with the stresses of separation. Therefore, this study explores the religious beliefs and practices of five Muslim husbands in long-distance marriages. The three main themes that emerged from qualitative analysis are (a) religious belief and commitment to marriage, (b) religious belief as a coping strategy, and (c) religious practices as a coping strategy. This study's findings indicate that specific beliefs and practices are related to how husbands approach their marriages. Findings clearly show that religion continues to be significant in many Muslim marriages, especially in this era of employment mobility. This study also supports previous studies that show positive correlations between salient aspects of faith and family life. This finding highlights the importance of Islamic-based counseling interventions incorporating scientific and revealed knowledge that could support Muslim clients.