Being motivated is a major factor contributing to student excellence in their studies and success in life. Students face various academic pressures from the education system itself or from environmental factors that can impact their level of motivation to achieve excellence. This study explores achievement motivational levels among university students in Malaysia from the four aspects of gender, race, place of residence and academic performance (CGPA). This survey-type study uses a simple random sampling method involving research subjects comprising 200 students (n=200). The research instrument used is the Achievement Motivation Test (AMT) introduced by Abu Bakar Nordin (1995). Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 26 software. An independent sample t-test analysis was used to identify the differences in achievement motivation levels based on the four aspects mentioned. Overall, the study found no difference in the level of student motivation based on gender (t= 0.254, p> 0.05), race (t= 0.922, p> 0.05), place of residence (t= 1.836, p> 0.05), and academic performance (t=1.623, p> 0.05). However, some differences in motivation levels were found between students with low (M = 2.8) and high (M = 3.0) CGPAs. Thus, it can be concluded that motivational levels have a major role in ensuring student success and excellence. This study can form the basis for designing motivational modules or guidelines in public universities and the Ministry of Education for enhancing student achievement.

The crisis faced by foreign students need to be addressed to ensure that the goal of completing their study is achieved successfully. Financial issue has been identified as the main problem. Hence, this study was done to explore major issues faced by foreign students throughout their life in campus. This is a qualitative study using interview sessions as a study design. The subject in this study is a 21 year-old Indonesian student who faced stress and loss of concentration in her study due to financial problem. This study revealed that the financial issue is the common theme experienced by the respondent. This is due to the relevancy that money is one of the most important things to survive in life, and it has become a ‘mediator’ for resources toward basic needs in life. Reality therapy and in particular the techniques of WDEP and SAMIC was employed in the counselling session to help deal with the respondent’s issues. Indeed, this study highlighted the success of using Reality Therapy to help the respondent in making sound decisions to solve issues faced. It was also noted that the therapist plays an active role in helping the respondent to be aware and responsible in solving her issues.

Penyediaan tempat kerja yang meyokong keluarga atau mesra keluarga adalah penting dalam menghadapi perubahan ekonomi, demografi dan sosial yang berlaku dalam era globalisasi. Kaiian lepas menunjukkan bahawa persekitaran tempat kerja yang kondusif dan mesra keluarga mampu meningkatkan produktiviti, mutu dan kepuasana bekerja. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengumpul data daripada responden yang bekerja di dalam persekitaran akademik untuk mengenal pasti persepsi mereka terhadap Peranan Organisasi Yang Menyokong Keluarga (FSOP) di tempat kerja. Data dikumpul daripada 110 pekerja yang bekerja di salah sebuah pusat pengajian tinggi di Malaysia. Soalselidik yang diedarkan adalah berkenaan persepsi pekerja terhadap, falsafah atau kepercayaan terhadap majikan mereka mengenai tempat kerja dan sokongan terhadap keluarga. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa majoriti pekerja mempunyai persepsi yang tidak baik terhadap organisasi mereka berkenaan penyediaan tempat kerja yang mesra keluarga. Hasil kajian ini menekankan kepentingan untuk menilai persepsi pekerja mengenai peranan organisasi dalam menyediakan tempat kerja yang mesra keluarga supaya usaha kolaboratif dan intervensi kaunseling di tempat kerja yang bersesuaian boleh direalisasikan bagi membantu pekerja menghadapi konflik kerja dan keluarga.

Income and economic status have become the dominant factors that influence quality of life. Health, however, is a crucial factor to be considered in determining the quality of life of an individual. According to WHO, about fifteen percent of adults aged 60 and above suffered from mental disorder. This study aims to examine the level of quality of life and psychological well-being among villagers in Negeri Sembilan. A total of 440 (n=186 male, n=249 female) villagers with various range of age involved in this study. They live in villages in Ampangan, Kuala Pilah, and Jelebu. Data were collected utilizing the WHOQOL-BREF (Bahasa Malaysia version) and Ryff Psychological Well-being Scale (PWB). Descriptive analysis technique was used in analyzing the data. The findings showed that the level of quality of life among the villagers was at high level. Meanwhile, the state of psychological well-being of villagers was at the medium level. Based on the dimensions in PSW, the self-acceptance domain in all areas secured high score compared with other domains. The findings of this study are discussed. Several suggestions are stated. Keywords: Quality of life, psychological well-being, villagers

Provision of family supportive workplace is crucial to maintain sustainability of organisation. The main objective of this study was to assess the employees’ perceptions regarding the extent their workplace is family supportive. Participants were forty-six (46) teachers in Klang Valley and surrounding states who were drawn based on purposive sampling from March to October 2016. Self-report, structured with open-ended and closed ended questions was distributed to the participants to gather the data. The findings include the aspects of work arrangement, recognition of care and responsibilities, workplace culture and environment, and provision of family physical facilities. The findings revealed that school settings were particularly lacking in terms of providing physical facilities and supportive supervisor behaviour that could promote family support and wellbeing at the workplace. Thus, it is hoped that these findings will highlight the important needs and concern of teachers regarding the provision of a workplace that is family sensitive. Further implication and suggestions are outlined.

Objective - In portraying Islam, especially after the September 11 attacks, a number of studies found that terrorism has been repeatedly associated with Islam/Muslims by most of the international media. There is a perception that international media play a vital role in creating a relationship between Islam/Muslims and terrorism in their coverage that leads to the formation of frames on Islam/Muslims and terrorism. Methodology/Technique - Based on this view, the researcher has conducted a content analysis of two international news magazines, Time and The Economist, aimed at examining the frames at four different periods of sampling; a one year period right before September 11, a one year period right after September 11, a one year period after five years of September 11 and a one year period after ten years of September 11. This study has applied a content analysis as the research methodology in collecting, coding and analyzing the data. All paragraphs pertaining to the issue during the study periods were analyzed. A total of 4,443 paragraphs was analyzed to determine the existence of frames. Findings - The researcher has found the total of ten significant frames used by both Time and The Economist in covering stories related to Islam/Muslims throughout the four periods being studied. Novelty – This study expands the research made before on the labeling of international media on Islam and terrorism in terms of the time frame, scopes of indicators and measurement as well as the types of media selected.

Purpose of the study: This paper is undertaken to discuss the enhancement of locus of control through Career Therapy Model intervention imposed upon 38 participants in selected drug rehabilitation centers in Malaysia. Methodology: In this study, the qualitative research design was adopted and interview was used to garner feedback from facilitators in charge, as well as the participants. The data collected was analysed by using content analysis approach where several themes were figured out in regard to locus of control as concerned. The participants were chosen by using purposive sampling. Main findings: The results indicated that the Career Therapy Model had been proven as effective in elevating the clients’ internal locus of control as the feedback collected demonstrated likewise. Most of the encouraging responses were constituting the effectiveness of the career therapy model, where the participants’ level of locus of control was enhanced as they are taking charge in deciding directions of their own lives. Applications of this study: This career therapy model is developed by researchers for job-searching enterprise purpose; to provide a second chance for the drug addicts to enter a more realistic workplace, with regards to their level of skills and inclination and indirectly ensuring their recovery. Originality/ novelty: Career therapy model is one of the first models of career counseling in Malaysia. Besides, the model approach in method delivery has been customized according to local-cultural setting and is evidence-based practice. In addition to career counseling aspect, this career therapy model also provides guidelines on how to deal with relapse and coping skills when they are back to the mainstream of society. Keywords: Locus of control, drug addicts, self-control, career therapy model.

The father's presence and involvement in a child’s development are as important as the mother's role in nurturing the child. A positive father involvement is essential to healthy social, emotional, and academic development at all stages of a child’s development. However, in Malaysia, data on fathers’ impact on children’s psychosocial development are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to obtain views from children and parents on the need to develop a fatherhood module. The data were collected through a survey using a set of questionnaires comprising the Father Presence Questionnaire (FPQ), Inventory of Father Involvement (IFI), and needs analysis questions to parents. A total of 483 children and 60 parents participated in the study. For the father’s presence, the children’s response has the highest mean (42.96) on the father’s relationship with his father scale, and for father involvement, the highest mean is in the dimension of giving attention (25.01). Ninety five percent (95 %) of the parents who responded to the needs analysis questions stated that a father should take a specific course on fathering. The topics that should be covered include communication, the role and responsibilities of the father, fathering skills, child development, and the knowledge and skills of new fathers. The results of the study suggest the need to develop the fatherhood module, which can help fathers to enhance their understanding, knowledge, and skills to be effective fathers in the development of children.

This special issue is a selection of seven articles that are research-based. The articles were extracted from the Master of Counseling (Substance Abuse), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia students' research reports. The students were assisted by their respective supervisors to produce the articles as a form of academic training to disseminate their research findings through journal publication.

Due to the escalating statistical figure of divorce rate amongst Muslim couples in Malaysia, there is a need to enhance the marriage education program to be more effective in overcoming the problems of marriage, as well as to provide the knowledge and skills to the spouse and to prevent the divorce cases. Therefore, this article is aimed to explore the views of experts and couples with marital conflict on the needs of marriage education in Malaysia. This article employed an interview method with ten participants; amongst them are five Consultation Officer from the Islamic Religious Office and five people who are facing marital conflict and seeking advice from the Islamic Religious Office. The data collected between March until June 2016 and were managed and analyzed using thematic analysis approach. The findings of the interviews revealed two main outcomes (i) the views of experts and conflict people about marriage education; (ii) the views of experts and conflict people on the content of marriage education course. The findings highlight that marriage education course is important to provide a platform for knowledge and relationship skills between husband and wife. Various topics need to be included in preparing the module of marriage education, such as financial management, conflict management skills, effective communication skills, listening and express feelings skills.

The recent global health crisis caused by the rapidly spreading Covid-19 pandemic has sparked a great deal of interest and concern about the escalating burden and troubling problems of mental health disorders around the world, particularly in Malaysia. The Ministry of Health Malaysia reported a prevalence of 29% among adults, a threefold increase from 10% in 1996, indicating a high incidence of suicidal behaviour. Indeed, as the country's economic burden grows, mental illness is one of the leading causes of disability and health loss. While there have been numerous evidence-based methods of psychotherapy and counselling interventions available, including psychoanalysis, behaviourism, cognitive psychology, and humanistic psychology; all of these approaches emerged from western and secular worldviews. They refute man's dualistic nature and the purpose and reason for his creation, employ non-judgmental principles in the non-indoctrination of religious beliefs and values during treatment, are incompatible with the Islamic approach, and have been deemed ineffective. Adolescent mental health issues have made it abundantly clear that they must be addressed and resolved, and Islamic-based psychospiritual approaches for psychological psychotherapy and counselling treatments and interventions based on the Al Quran and Sunnah should be investigated further. As a result, the purpose of this concept paper is to review the literature on mental health and the impact of the most common mental issues like depression, anxiety, and stress, both globally and in Malaysia, as well as the spiritual and religious counselling treatment and interventions available, particularly in self-care counselling treatment from Islamic perspectives.

Agensi Antidadah Kebangsaan (AADK) sebagai agensi peneraju dalam usaha memerangi ancaman dadah dalam negara telah melaksanakan pelbagai program dan aktiviti bagi memastikan kadar penyalahgunaan dadah dinegara ini dapat dikurangkan. Antara Langkah komprehensif daripada pihak AADK adalah melalui pelaksanaan program Perangi Dadah Habis-Habisan (PDH) sebagai satu strategi langkah baharu yang lebih berkesan bagi memerangi gejala penyalahgunaan dadah. Bermula pada tahun 2016, program ini kemudiannya diteruskan pula bagi Program PDH 2017-2018. Justeru, matlamat utama pelaksaaan kajian ini adalah untuk membuat penilaian keberkesanan strategi perangi dadah habishabisan PDH yang dijalankan oleh pihak kerajaan Malaysia khususnya pihak Agensi Anti Dadah Kebangsaan (AADK). Kajian ini dilaksanakan bertujuan untuk menentukan profiling keseluruhan kawasan Program PDH 2017-2018, menilai prestasi pencapaian KPI mengikut program utama 2017-2018, melihat pencapaian keseluruhan PDH 2017-2018 mengikut program, kawasan dan negeri, mengenalpasti impak PDH mengikut jumlah penagih baru yang dikesan di 178 kawasan tumpuan, mengenalpasti impak PDH 2017-2018 mengikut skor dan tahap pendayaupayaan komuniti dan mengetahui tahap kesediaan komuniti terhadap program perangi dadah habis-habisan mengikut kategori pemimpin komuniti. Terdapat 6 program utama PDH iaitu, (1) Program Omnipresence, (2) Program Operasi Cegah (Pengesanan Dan Penahanan), (3) Program Operasi Sarang/Bersepadu, (4) Program Ikon Antidadah, (5) Program Media Baru, Luar Dan Statik dan (6) Program Pendayaupayaan Komuniti (Community Empowerment). Manakala, indikator penilaian bagi menentukan keberkesan program PDH ini diukur melalui; (1) Profiling kawasan, (2) Pencapaian KPI, (3) Kesediaan komuniti, (4) Program pengesanan dan penahanan dan (5) Pencapaian pendayaupayaan komuniti. Soal selidik pra dan post diberikan kepada setiap responden bagi tujuan pencapaian objektif kajian. Responden dikategorikan mengikut kategori 6 pemimpin komuniti. Hasil kajian mendapati pemimpin komuniti daripada kategori penguatkuasa, professional, JKK Kampung/ Wakil komuniti dan belia mencapai tahap kesediaan komuniti yang paling tinggi iaitu pada tahap 8 (pengembangan/ pengesahan). Program Ikon Antidadah perlu diteliti semula dan dibuat penambahbaikan bermula dengan pemilihan ikon di daerah, kesudian dan komitmennya. Program CE juga perlu diberi lebih penekanan kerana program ini adalah antara program terpenting untuk mencapai objektif PDH yang ke 4, iaitu membangkitkan komuniti untuk memerangi dadah. Keberkesanan Latihan TOT telah diberikan kepada seorang atau dua staf di setiap daerah untuk memahami dan melaksanakan modul CE perlu diperhalusi. Kesimpulannya, kejayaan PDH banyak bergantung kepada operasi dan gerak kerja di pejabat AADK Daerah. Persediaan yang mencukupi dari segi ‘manpower’, bajet, kelengkapan dan komitmen staf mempengaruhi kadar kejayaan program PDH.

Marriage education is a form of dissemination of information designed to help individual and couples to achieve happiness and success in marriage. Nevertheless, marriage education is not just a pre-marital course, but it is a knowledge and skills needed to have either at the beginning of marriage and it continued along marriage lasted. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the views of experts and public about marriage education in Malaysia. The study collected data through structured interviews with 12 samples, 3 public and 9 experts consisting lecturers, registered counselors and religious officers. Data were managed in NVivo 8 using thematic analysis approach. Outcomes from the interview obtained two main themes 1) understanding of marriage education and 2) necessity of marriage education.

Pandemik Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) yang melanda Malaysia dan seluruh dunia telah memberi implikasi yang sangat besar kepada sektor pendidikan negara. Ianya telah mengubah cara dan sistem pengajaran dan pembelajaran (PdP) konvensional yang sedia ada kepada PdP secara dalam talian. Perubahan drastik ini telah menyumbang kepada tekanan akademik. Aspek kesihatan mental merupakan elemen penting kefungsian diri pelajar dalam mempengaruhi hasil serta keberkesanan sistem pembelajaran dalam talian yang baru sahaja diimplimentasikan ini. Justeru, penulisan ini adalah bertujuan untuk mengenalpasti strategi daya tindak pelajar mendepani tekanan akademik terhadap pembelajaran dalam talian. Metod kualitatif melalui kajian perpustakaan menggunakan rekabentuk analisis kandungan telah memfokuskan kepada pemahaman terhadap konsep strategi daya tindak dan tekanan akademik. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan terdapat pelbagai faktor dan strategi berorientasikan emosi dan masalah bagi melihat solusi terpilih mencapai keseimbangan aspek tekanan akademik pelajar rentetan pembelajaran dalam talian. Tuntasnya, pengkajian ini dapat menjadi satu platform dan sumber rujukan baru khususnya terhadap institusi pendidikan di negara ini bagi memastikan sistem pembelajaran dalam talian dapat dilaksanakan dengan efisien serta dimanfaatkan secara optimum oleh setiap pelajar di Malaysia.

Drug abuse is one of the most serious social issues in Malaysia. Therefore, this 'quantitative study was conducted to identify the relationship between parenting styles and the risk of drug abuse among youths. A set of questionnaires were distributed to respondents at IKTBN Chembong. A total of 123 students of IKTBN Chembong were involved in this study. Two instruments were used in this study, Baumrind's Parenting Styles Questionnaire (1967) and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-20). The results showed that authoritative parenting style was the highest style used by parents (37.86%) followed by authoritarian parenting style (35.32%) while permissive parenting style was (30.01%). Testing for hypotheses was carried out using the Pearson Correlation test. The findings show that there is a significant correlation between permissive parenting style and drug abuse risk (r = .61). Authoritarian parenting lifestyle with drug abuse risks showed a weak and positive relationship (r =.119) while for authoritative parenting style with drug abuse risks showed a weak and negative relationship (r = .005). The implication of this study is the importance of parenting styles in dealing with the risks of drug abuse against youth in the future.

Quality of marriage is a subjective evaluation of one’s marriage relationship. One of the determinants of the quality of marriage was personality. The types of personality will influence the quality of the marital relationship. Hence, this study aims to determine the relationship between personality traits and marital satisfaction among married people in Selangor. Respondents of this study were 110 married people in urban, suburban and rural areas in Selangor. This study used a set of questionnaires to get the data using three instruments: Personality Big Five Factor Inventory (BFI), Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS), and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). The overall results showed that married people in the urban area had the highest level of openness to experience (M=33.28) while married people in the rural area had the highest level of consensus on marital satisfaction (M=53.00). Meanwhile, married people in the urban area had the highest score for quality of marriage on conflict management level (M=1972) compared to suburban and rural areas. The findings also indicated that there are significant relationships between personality types and marital satisfaction among married people in urban, suburban and rural areas in Selangor. The implication of the study has been discussed in the context of a marriage relationship and the personality types of people. Keywords: Personality Traits, Marital Satisfaction, Quality of Marriage

Purpose: This study was done to identify and measure Self-Control and Readiness to Change amongst recovering addicts plus it also aims to compare recovering addicts’ Self-Control and Readiness to Change mean score based on age, race, marital status, educational level and duration involved in drugs. The relationship between Self-Control and Readiness to Change amongst recovering addicts also were examined in this study. Methodology: Study involved 190 respondents, randomly selected from a Cure and Care Rehabilitation Centre (CCRC) located in the state of Johor. Instruments used to measure the levels were the Self-Control Scale and the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA). The quantitative descriptive design was applied and the questionnaire method was used to obtain data. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.0 using descriptive, t-tests and correlation statistical analysis were used to analyze the data. Findings: Research findings showed that levels of Self-Control amongst recovering addicts were at an average level and the Readiness to Change amongst recovering addicts were at the Contemplation stage. There were no significant differences in recovering addicts’ SelfControl and Readiness to Change mean score based on the demographic variables examined. The findings of this study also showed an inverse correlation between Self-Control and Readiness to Change (r = - 0.15, n = 190, p = 0.04). However, the results cannot be generalized because the sample does not represent the population of all recovering addicts in Malaysia. Implications: The information gathered from this study is useful for understanding the level of Self-Control and Readiness to Change amongst recovering addicts, hence it can be emphasized in future drug prevention and rehabilitation programs in Malaysia. Originality of this study: Drug addiction problem in Malaysia is vastly increasing and there are many measures being taken to curb this problem. Hence, this study emphasizes on the importance of Self-Control and Readiness to Change for recovering addicts to gain a positive and healthy lifestyle. However, in this study its showed that, even if there is help and support from others, a change can only occur if the individual is prepared mentally and physically.

Social- emotional issues and gifted and talented students (GTS) are inseparable. Guidance for managing social and emotional issues among GTS is crucial to optimally promote student progress and stimulate excellence in the country. This study aims to reveal the need to improve decision making skills and resilience among GTS which is also a strategic approach to helping these groups managing their social and emotional issues. In the meantime, counselors are the best profesional helper and they have to play an important role in helping the GTS for improving their skills and abilities thus helping them deal with social and emotional issues.

Agama Islam adalah agama yang syumul yang sesuai bagi setiap lapisan masyarakat bagi sepanjang zaman. Agama Islam juga menitik beratkan kesejahteraan semua lapisan masyarakat termasuklah kanak-kanak. Dalam aspek pembangunan manusia pula, terdapat panduan-panduan yang telah ditetapkan bertepatan dengan tahap perkembangan masing-masing. Begitu juga bagi kanak-kanak, agama Islam memberi penekanan yang jitu terhadap tahap perkembangan kanak-kanak dengan meraikan fitrah semula jadi mereka yang suka bermain. Oleh itu, kajian ini adalah bertujuan untuk mengkaji pandangan perspektif Islam terhadap pendekatan terapi bermain yang umumnya dipelopori oleh barat. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kajian kualitatif menerusi kajian perpustakaan untuk mencari maklumat primer yang berkaitan dengan pendekatan terapi bermain menurut pandangan Islam. Maklumat-maklumat yang diperoleh adalah daripada pelbagai sumber seperti buku, jurnal, hadis dan Al-Quran serta artikel. Maklumat ini dikumpulkan dan disaring serta dianalisis menggunakan teknik analisis kandungan. Analisis yang telah dijalankan menjelaskan pendekatan terapi bermain yang diperkenalkan oleh barat sebenarnya telah menjadi amalan gaya asuhan yang diajarkan oleh agama Islam dan juga telah dipraktiskan oleh Rasulullah SAW. Antara pendekatan terapi bermain yang diketengahkan dalam kajian ini adalah pendekatan menggunakan modaliti pergerakan, modaliti muzik dan modaliti boneka. Justeru, dengan aplikasi pendekatan terapi bermain dan diintegrasikan dengan elemen agama dapat membantu perkembangan kanak-kanak secara holistik merangkumi sosial, emosi, fizikal dan juga spiritual.