Malaysian Parent Ratings of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance Across Language Versions, Gender, Informants, and Race

Emotional and Behavioural Problems among Preschool Children in Northeast Peninsular Malaysia: Parent Report Version

The rising prevalence of mental health disorders among children is a serious concern. Young children who exhibit early warning signs of mental health issues are more likely to develop symptoms in the same or overlapping regions years later. The research aimed to identify emotional and behavioural problems and associated factors in Malaysian preschools. A sample of young children aged 4-6 years from public and private preschools was chosen using a multistage random sampling method. Data were collected from 18 preschools via a parent survey using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The sample involved 557 children in the SDQ assessment (92%). The overall estimated prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems was 8.4%. Peer problems were the most prevalent attribute, with a percentage of 19.7%. Conduct problems were found in 5.2%, hyperactivity problems in 5.6%, prosocial behaviours in 13.5%, and emotional problems in 6.8%. Girls showed a significant increase in behavioural and emotional problems compared to boys. Having one parent working, having more than two siblings, and having a single-parent family were associated with emotional and behavioural problems. The prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems in Malaysian children was relatively low compared to data from previous studies and other Asian countries but consistent with European studies. Measuring mental health disparities in young children helps stakeholders launch local early intervention programmes.

Relationship Between Postnatal Depression of Mental Health Patients and the Psychological Health of Their Offspring

Postnatal depression is a major illness affecting maternal and family health. The rate of postnatal depression among mental health clients is postulated to be higher than in the community due to the added brain assault. Children of parents who are mental health clients are more likely to have psychological problems compared to children from other parents in the community. This study investigates the rate of postnatal depression among mental health clients and their offspring's psychological health. A total of 140 mental health clients were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). They subsequently completed the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) regarding their children. The majority ethnicity was the Kadazan (40.7%). The mean age of mothers was 38.6 (7) years with most having a secondary education (53.6%) and a household income per month of < RM1000 per month (27.1%). The postnatal depression rate was 47.8%. Higher EPDS scores were associated with higher total SDQ scores in their offspring. Model 1 was unadjusted, giving an OR of 5.65 [95% CI (3.74, 7.55)], p < 0.001. After adjustment for confounders, Model 2 had an OR of 5.51 [95% CI (3.57, 7.46)], p < 0.001. More efforts need to be given to the early detection of maternal depression and its prompt treatment in mental health clients because of the relationship with the psychological health of the offspring.

Factors Associated with Mental Health Problems among Malaysian Children: A Large Population-Based Study

Mental health problems are a major public health issue, particularly among children. They impair children’s development, academic achievement, and ability to live a productive life. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with mental health problems among children aged 5 to 15 years old in Malaysia. Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2015 were analyzed. A validated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used. The overall prevalence of mental health problems among children in Malaysia was 11.1%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that for every year increment in age, mental health problems decreased by 5%. Further analysis found that children who had fathers with a non-formal education and worked in the private sector, had parents who were widowed or divorced, and had either parent with mental health problems were more likely to have mental health problems themselves. Children from the lower socioeconomic group and who had either parent with mental health problems had higher odds of having mental health problems in Malaysia.

Assessing Online Flow Across Cultures: A Two-Fold Measurement Invariance Study

The association between online Flow and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has attracted significant attention. Despite the consensus that online Flow plays a pivotal role in the development of IGD and other Internet addictive behaviors, there has been a lack of consistency in measurement scales used to assess online Flow. Even widely used measures of online Flow have not been psychometrically assessed across culturally diverse populations of gamers. Such an assessment would enhance the accuracy of cross-cultural comparisons. Attending to this need, the present study assessed the psychometric properties of the binary coded (i.e., Yes, No) Online Flow Questionnaire (OFQ), while concurrently taking into consideration country, age, language, and mode of data collection (online or face-to-face) differences. Two sequences of successive multiple group confirmatory factor analyses were used to assess the psychometric properties of the OFQ, between: (a) emergent adults from the United States of America (N = 482, Mage = 25.23, SD = 2.746) and Australia (N = 168, Mage = 23.55, SD = 3.37) and (b) adolescents from Greece (N = 1579, Mage = 16.12, SD = 0.849) and Cyprus (N = 1372, Mage = 15.54, SD = 0.656). Configural and partial metric invariance were confirmed between the United States and Australian samples. For the Greek and Cypriot samples, results indicated full configural and metric invariance. These results provide initial information to researchers and clinicians of the extent to which the OFQ maintains its consistency when used across cultures and invite for further cross-cultural studies in the field. Implications, as well as limitations, are discussed.