The development and validation of a knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire of methamphetamine use.

Methamphetamine is a synthetic psychostimulant that is showing a rising trend of usage among adolescents and youths. Its harmful side effects and high risk of developing addiction is a public health problem. Recognizing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on methamphetamine is critical in the planning of an intervention strategy. Currently there is a lack of KAP questionnaires on methamphetamine. The study aims to develop and validate a KAP questionnaire on methamphetamine-use for use among Malaysian adolescents. Following an extensive literature review, face and content validity were carried out among healthcare workers, the public, students, and local subject matter experts. A pilot study was conducted amongst 50 students to assess the test-retest reliability. The questionnaire was then distributed to two groups of 269 and 331 individuals for the Exploratory (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), respectively. The internal reliability was also assessed among these groups. The content validation consisting of Item Content Validity Index (I-CVI, ranging from 0.875 to 1.00), and Scale Content Validity Index (S-CVI/Ave = 0.941) both showed good validation scores. Test-retest reliability showcased an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of > 0.7, indicating its reliability. The model was constructed via the EFA resulting in four constructs, and the model's goodness of fit was confirmed with CFA. An internal reliability was calculated with Cronbach's Alpha and showed acceptable reliability (α-values > 0.6) for all constructs. The KAP questionnaire of methamphetamine use is a valid and reliable tool that can be used among Malaysian adolescents. The model arising from this study, can also be used as a guide for future intervention models for adolescent methamphetamine-use disorder.

Geographic information systems adoption model: A partial least square-structural equation modeling analysis approach.

The ability of Geographic Information System (GIS) to organize, analyze, visualize and integrate spatial data has been at the top of its primary uses among professional industries. However, considering the extensive adoption of Information System (IS) throughout history for government organizations' or citizens' disaster response, the implementation of geographical elements is still minimal. Previous GIS models and framework studies, particularly in developing countries, were affected by pandemic pressure, competitiveness pressure, change management, and security factors. Thus, this study aims to develop a model for the successful adoption of GIS using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and De Lone and Mc Lean Information Success Model and analyze the applicability of the existing factors to enhance the performance of Public Sector Organizations (PSOs). From the study, a new conceptual framework was proposed to examine the effects of factors on GIS adoption that impact performance among PSOs from the perspective of Saudi Arabia. Quantitative methods were used to collect data through a questionnaire distributed to 350 respondents from PSO, and only 272 were found to be valid. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) validated the GIS model. The finding revealed that system quality, service quality, change management, competitiveness pressure, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and security factors significantly and positively affected GIS adoption. The study also showed that GIS adoption substantially affected PSO performance. The proposed model provides insight into how GIS adoption can eventually enhance performance among PSOs. In essence, the study contributes to the running of PSO and the decisions taken by policymakers.

A Geospatial Drug Abuse Risk Assessment and Monitoring Dashboard Tailored for School Students: Development Study With Requirement Analysis and Acceptance Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The enormous consequences of drugs include suicides, traffic accidents, and violence, affecting the individual, family, society, and country. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly identify and monitor the drug abuse rate among school-going youth. A geospatial dashboard is vital for the monitoring of drug abuse and related crime incidence in a decision support system. OBJECTIVE: This paper mainly focuses on developing MyAsriGeo, a geospatial drug abuse risk assessment and monitoring dashboard tailored for school students. It introduces innovative functionality, seamlessly orchestrating the assessment of drug abuse usage patterns and risks using multivariate student data. METHODS: A geospatial drug abuse dashboard for monitoring and analysis was designed and developed in this study based on agile methodology and prototyping. Using focus group and interviews, we first examined and gathered the requirements, feedback, and user approval of the MyAsriGeo dashboard. Experts and stakeholders such as the National Anti-Drugs Agency, police, the Federal Department of Town and Country Planning, school instructors, students, and researchers were among those who responded. A total of 20 specialists were involved in the requirement analysis and acceptance evaluation of the pilot and final version of the dashboard. The evaluation sought to identify various user acceptance aspects, such as ease of use and usefulness, for both the pilot and final versions, and 2 additional factors based on the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire and Task-Technology Fit models were enlisted to assess the interface quality and dashboard sufficiency for the final version. RESULTS: The MyAsriGeo geospatial dashboard was designed to meet the needs of all user types, as identified through a requirement gathering process. It includes several key functions, such as a geospatial map that shows the locations of high-risk areas for drug abuse, data on drug abuse among students, tools for assessing the risk of drug abuse in different areas, demographic information, and a self-problem test. It also includes the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test and its risk assessment to help users understand and interpret the results of student risk. The initial prototype and final version of the dashboard were evaluated by 20 experts, which revealed a significant improvement in the ease of use (P=.047) and usefulness (P=.02) factors and showed a high acceptance mean scores for ease of use (4.2), usefulness (4.46), interface quality (4.29), and sufficiency (4.13). CONCLUSIONS: The MyAsriGeo geospatial dashboard is useful for monitoring and analyzing drug abuse among school-going youth in Malaysia. It was developed based on the needs of various stakeholders and includes a range of functions. The dashboard was evaluated by a group of experts. Overall, the MyAsriGeo geospatial dashboard is a valuable resource for helping stakeholders understand and respond to the issue of drug abuse among youth.

An Adaptation and Validation of Cocaine Craving Questionnaire for Malaysians Who Use Amphetamine-Type Stimulants.

Introduction: Cases of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) use have been increasing over the past decade. Cravings are considered a causal factor for recurrent relapses in ATS use cases. The absence of questionnaires measuring cravings for ATS in the local population necessitates the creation of one, especially considering the rising number of cases. Objective: This study aimed to adapt and validate the Cocaine Cravings Questionnaire into a questionnaire suitable for measuring cravings for ATS in the local population. Methodology: The original questionnaire was adapted by substituting "cocaine" with "ATS". The process involved a back-to-back translation, followed by a round of face and content validation. The participants included people who use drugs (PWUD) with a history of ATS use recruited from rehabilitation centers in Malaysia. A set of questionnaires consisting of demographic items and the adapted ATS Cravings Questionnaire (ATS-CQ) were given. Results: This cross-sectional study recruited a total of 205 PWUD, mostly single men, with a mean age of 33.32 (s.d.=13.14). The mean age of ATS initiation was 22.89 (s.d.=9.39), with a median duration of ATS use of 60 months (IQR=24.00, 120.00). The adapted questionnaire received a good score for content validation. Unlike the original, this adapted version was found to have only three factors showing good internal consistency, ranging from 0.707 to 0.918 for all three factors. Test-retest reliability also showed good results, with an interclass correlation coefficient of 0.875 (95% CI=0.835, 0.905). Conclusion: The translated ATS-CQ has been finalized and deemed valid and reliable for use among Malaysian substance users to measure ATS cravings.

Predictors of drug and substance abuse among school-going adolescents living in drug hotspot in Malaysia.

This study explored the pressing issue of drug and substance abuse (DSA) among adolescents in drug hotspots in Malaysia. The Malaysian Anti-drug Agency (AADK) has identified 155 hotspot areas across Malaysia, of which 78 were randomly selected as the study sites. These areas were identified as having extreme drug-related activities such as drug trafficking and drug-related crimes. According to the literature, several factors influence adolescents to be involved in DSA. Therefore, understanding the risk factors in the context of Malaysian school-going adolescents is of utmost importance. The study examined, in particular, a wide range of potential predictors, including socioeconomic factors, peer influence, family dynamics, educational experiences, drug access, and community characteristics. Adolescents in the hotspot areas were selected by means of a cross-sectional survey design with a cluster sampling method. The sample comprised 3382 school-going adolescents, and the data were collected through face-to-face interviews. The logit model method with STATA software was used to analyse the data. The findings of the study revealed that school-going adolescents with disciplinary issues face a two-fold increase in the risk of becoming current drug users compared to their peers. Further, those exhibiting externalising behaviours, such as aggression and rule-breaking, also face greater odds of becoming involved in DSA. Drug pushers were identified as the most significant risk factor, with adolescents exposed to them being 46 times more likely to become current drug users. The factors of friends and family also contribute significantly to adolescent drug involvement. However, adolescents with academic-related issues may be less involved if they have the protective factor of better coping skills. These findings will contribute to efforts to mitigate drug addiction and drug-related activities, particularly in high-risk communities, as well as help policymakers and healthcare professionals develop targeted interventions and generally promote the well-being of adolescents.

Survey data on socioeconomic demographics of drug-free families living in high-risk drug environments in East Coast States of Peninsular Malaysia.

The dataset represents the socioeconomic demographic of drug-free families living in a high-risk drug environment in East Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia. The purposive sampling technique was used to choose among drug free families living in high drug environment, have children aged between 13 and 17 and none of the family members involved in any substance abuse cases via face-to-face interview questionnaires between 3rd April 2021 and 8th April 2021, gathering a total of 200 responses. The survey assessing socioeconomic demographic information (14 items) and involvement in drug prevention programs (8 items). The survey data was analyzed using descriptive analysis through frequencies and percentages. The data will assist the government, policymakers, and researchers to improve the content and delivery of family-based drug prevention programs and improve family awareness on risk and protective factors towards preventing drug abuse among youths.

Hypnotherapy as Treatment for Depression: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of studies that explore the use of hypnotherapy as a treatment for depression, adhering to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A total of 232 articles were identified through systematic search strategies in four databases. Following rigorous screening, 14 studies, varying from case studies to randomized controlled trials, were included in the final review. The age range of participants spanned from 18 to 70 years, and the number of female participants generally exceeded that of males in these studies. Hypnotherapy was found to be frequently used as an adjunct treatment alongside various types of psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy and often included techniques like hypnotic induction, ego strengthening, and self-hypnosis. The treatment duration varied from 3 sessions to as long as 20 weekly sessions. Most importantly, the majority of the studies found hypnotherapy to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, with some studies suggesting it has superior effects to antidepressant treatment in areas such as overall health and vitality. This review highlights the potential of hypnotherapy as a viable treatment option for depression and highlights the need for further controlled studies to establish its efficacy.

Prevalence of psilocybin use in vaping and associated factors: a study among amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) use disorder in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), including synthetic psilocybin, has raised concern among health experts due to the numerous health and socioeconomic consequences. The current trend is shifting to the hazardous use of synthetic psilocybin in vaping, and little is known about the prevalence of use, specifically among amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) users. METHODS: Interviewer-administered questionnaires were conducted in drug detention centers between March and October 2022. The study was conducted using ASSIST 3.0 and obtained information on the respondents' socio-demographic characteristics and clinical profiles. N = 355 ATS users were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: The results show a high prevalence of psilocybin vaping among ATS users (182/355, 53.1%). Most of the respondents were males (85.1%) and unmarried (69.3%), with a mean age of 29.2 (SD = 7.3). Across all respondents, five factors were associated with psilocybin vaping: tobacco smoking, aOR =5.790 (95% CI: 1.723, 8.183); cannabis uses, aOR= 9.152 (95% CI: 2.693, 10.396); and alcohol use, aOR= 3.137 (95% CI: 1.461, 5.817). Respondents of the Malay race had higher odds of being involved in psilocybin vaping compared to other races, with aOR= 1.638 (0.043, 2.459). Meanwhile, a reduction in age by 1.9 will increase the likelihood of involvement in psilocybin vaping with aOR = 1.897 (95% CI: 0.857, 1.938). CONCLUSION: Psilocybin in vaping is growing among ATS users and across all populations. Unfortunately, knowledge regarding the long-term effects on health is limited. Further studies should highlight the harmful effects of psilocybin and the potential risk of psilocybin vaping among the younger population.

Clinical Improvement in Depression and Cognitive Deficit Following Electroconvulsive Therapy.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a long-standing treatment choice for disorders such as depression when pharmacological treatments have failed. However, a major drawback of ECT is its cognitive side effects. While numerous studies have investigated the therapeutic effects of ECT and its mechanism, much less research has been conducted regarding the mechanism behind the cognitive side effects of ECT. As both clinical remission and cognitive deficits occur after ECT, it is possible that both may share a common mechanism. This review highlights studies related to ECT as well as those investigating the mechanism of its outcomes. The process underlying these effects may lie within BDNF and NMDA signaling. Edema in the astrocytes may also be responsible for the adverse cognitive effects and is mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 and the protein Homer1a.

Psychosocial Risk Factors Associated with Lifetime Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) Dependence in Drug Detention Centres: Perspectives from the Multiethnicity Study.

ATS dependence in Malaysia is growing tremendously across multiracial Malaysian groups, increasing concerns among public health experts and the community. This study highlighted the chronicity of ATS dependence and factors associated with ATS use. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were administered using ASSIST 3.0. A total of N = 327 multiracial people who use ATS were enrolled in this study. The study findings show that 190/327 (58.1%) respondents were ATS dependent. Malays reported the highest number of ATS-dependent (55.8%), followed by Bajau (21.6%) and Kadazan-Dusun (16.8%) ethnic. Across all races, three factors were significantly associated with the ATS dependence: respondents who had a lifetime history of needle sharing aOR = 0.023 (95% CI: 0.003, 0.183) and a lifetime history of heroin use aOR = 0.192 (95% CI: 0.093, 0.396) were at a reduced odd of ATS dependent. Meanwhile, being married reduced the likelihood of becoming dependent on ATS with aOR = 0.378 (95% CI: 0.206, 0.693) compared to being single or divorced. This study revealed that the use of ATS among multiracial Malaysians is alarmingly high, including those in detention centers. Comprehensive harm reduction strategies are urgently needed to prevent the spreading of infectious diseases and other negative health consequences associated with ATS use.

Depression and Anxiety Predict Healthcare Workers' Understanding of and Willingness to Help Suicide Attempt Patients.

We examined whether burnout, depression, anxiety, stress, lifetime suicidal ideation, self-efficacy in preventing suicide and demographic factors predicted the understanding of and willingness to help suicidal patients among hospital healthcare workers. A total of 368 healthcare workers from the major surgical and medical departments in a general hospital setting were recruited. Participants responded to the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, Self-efficacy in Suicide Prevention, and Understanding Suicide Attempt Patient Scale. Those from the psychiatric department, with higher suicide prevention self-efficacy, and lower personal accomplishment indicated more understanding and helpful attitudes; doctors, depressed and anxious healthcare workers reported less understanding and helpful attitudes. Suicide prevention efforts must be conducted in tandem with equipping and supporting the healthcare workers who manage suicidal patients.

Case Report: Cotard's Syndrome in Anti-N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) Receptor (Anti-NMDAR) Encephalitis.

Cotard's syndrome is uncommon psychopathology among patients with psychotic illnesses. Limited cases had been reported regarding the occurrence of this syndrome in anti-NMDAR encephalitis which itself is a relatively new disease that often presents with florid psychotic symptoms. This poses difficulties in differentiating it from a primary psychiatric illness. Late recognition of anti-NMDAR encephalitis can lead to death as it can progress to autonomic instability in its natural course of illness. We report a patient who first presented with psychotic symptoms with initial negative findings from baseline investigations. Further investigation revealed anti NMDAR antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid. Prompt treatment was initiated and despite early poor response to the first-line treatment with the development of allergic reaction, our patient recovered completely after 1 month of hospitalization. This case report aims to highlight the importance of early detection of anti-NMDAR encephalitis and the possibility of uncommon psychopathology such as Cotard's syndrome occurring in this disease.

Case scenario: Management of major depressive disorder in primary care based on the updated Malaysian clinical practice guidelines.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common but complex illness that is frequently presented in the primary care setting. Managing this disorder in primary care can be difficult, and many patients are underdiagnosed and/or undertreated. The Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on the Management of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (2nd ed.), published in 2019, covers screening, diagnosis, treatment and referral (which frequently pose a challenge in the primary care setting) while minimising variation in clinical practice.

Suicidal Behavior Among Elderly Inpatients: its Relation to Functional Disability and Pain.

Background: Suicidal behavior (SB) among elderly inpatients has exhibited a growing global drift. This study aimed to establish the prevalence of SB among elderly inpatients and identify the relationship between SB and depression and functional disability. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 136 randomly selected elderly inpatients aged 60 years and older who were hospitalized in a tertiary referral center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The study utilized the following scales as the assessment tools: The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.), the Modified Barthel Index (Shah version) (MBI), and visual analog scale. Results: The rates of current major depressive disorder (MDD), recurrent MDD, passive suicidal ideation (SI), and active SI were 24.3%, 8.8%, 27.9%, and 5.9%, respectively. Depressed elderly had 6 to 17 times higher risk of developing passive or active SI. "Wish to be dead," ie, passive SI was associated with admission to oncology or surgical ward and the presence of current MDD. The findings of the study revealed that active SI was associated with being over 80 years old (p = 0.027), being single (p = 0.042), admission to the oncology ward (p = 0.012) or orthopedic ward (p = 0.032), having positive GDS (p = 0.049), and the presence of current MDD (p = 0.019) or recurrent MDD (p = 0.010). According to the study findings, no association has been observed between passive and active SI and level of independence and acute pain. Conclusion: The risk of depressed elderly inpatients having passive and active SI is high. Hence, screening for depression and SI is crucial for prompt treatment and management.

Association between childhood trauma, intimate partner violence, and perceived parental competence among women abusing amphetamine-type stimulant.

Introduction: This cross-sectional study examines the correlation between childhood trauma, intimate partner violence (IPV), and parenting self-efficacy among women who reported using amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) in an institutional drug rehabilitation center. Methods: A total of 106 participants were recruited by purposive sampling, of which 88 were mothers. Questionnaires were used to collect sociodemographic data and study variables. Results: Most of these women had experienced emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and physical neglect in their childhood. IPV assessments revealed that 70.5% (n = 74) and 30.5% (n = 32) had experienced physical and sexual violence, respectively. In terms of parenting competency, they scored 79.5% for self-efficacy and 54.4% for parenting satisfaction. Childhood emotional abuse significantly increases the odds of individuals experiencing sexual violence by 20.9%. Discussion: We found that childhood trauma and IPV did not have a significant relationship with parenting efficacy. Conversely, childhood emotional abuse and physical abuse were negatively correlated to parenting satisfaction. It is imperative that any form of childhood abuse be recognized and stopped early to reduce the harm it brings to women later in life.

Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms in Adolescents Exposed to the Earthquake in Lombok, Indonesia: Prevalence and Association With Maladaptive Trauma-Related Cognition and Resilience.

Background: Natural disasters may physically and psychologically affect individuals and their surrounding community. This study determines the prevalence of post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms and its association with maladaptive trauma-related cognition and resilience among adolescents post-earthquake. Materials and Methods: Data were collected, in this cross-sectional study, during an intervention program post-earthquake held in a state high school located at Lombok, Indonesia. The study sample engaged students 14-19 years of age using the purposive sampling method. The questionnaires used to measure PTS symptoms, maladaptive trauma-related cognition, and resilience were Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale-13 (CRIES-13), Child Post-Traumatic Cognitions Inventory (CPTCI), and Child and Youth Resilience Measure-Revised (CYRM-R), respectively. Results: The prevalence of PTS symptoms was 69.9%. Among the respondents, 61.37% were female and 56.48% had mothers with lower educational levels. Using multiple linear regression, the final predictors of PTS symptoms were excessive reactions (e.g., wailing loudly, miserable shrieking) of proxy during earthquake (ß = 3.283, p = 0.005), maladaptive trauma-related cognition (ß = 0.224, p = 0.002), and resilience (ß = 0.192, p < 0.001) with female gender (ß = 7.350, p < 0.001) as a control variable. Through simple linear regression, victims who witnessed injury or death during the earthquake (p = 0.003), had a proxy died during the earthquake (p = 0.01), and trapped victims or those who had difficulty escaping (p = 0.01) were identified to potentially predict the occurrence of PTS symptoms, warranting further study. Conclusion: The presence of excessive proxy reactions during the earthquake, maladaptive trauma-related cognition, and resilience in adolescents exposed to a natural disaster are worth targeting and prioritizing in future post-disaster interventions.

Risk of Depression Among MMT Patients: Does Coping Strategies and Perceived Social Support Play a Role?

INTRODUCTION: Patients receiving methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) experience higher level of stress and are at greater risk of developing mental health problems such as depression which could potentially affect both quality of life and treatment outcomes. This cross-sectional study is aimed at understanding the relationship between psychosocial factors such as social support, coping, and depression among patients receiving MMT in a Malaysian Hospital. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-six patients attending MMT program were recruited. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to screen for depression, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to assess participants' perceived social support, and the Brief COPE questionnaire was used to assess coping strategies. The diagnosis of depression was made using Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). RESULTS: About 13.8% of our sample were diagnosed with depression. From our analysis, it was found that having higher levels of perceived social support (OR = 0.462, 95% CI 0.238-0.899, P < .05), the use of active and emotion focused coping mechanism (OR = 0.231, 95% CI 0.095-0.565, P < .005), and support seeking and self-distraction coping mechanism (OR = 0.196, 95% CI 0.074-0.521, P < .001) was associated with lower likelihood of depression. On the contrary, the use of dysfunctional coping strategies such as denial, behavioral disengagement, and self-blame was associated with increased likelihood of depression (OR = 9.384, 95% CI 3.081-28.581, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Active and emotion focused along with support and self-distraction coping strategies, and higher levels of perceived social support may serve as a buffer against depression in patients receiving MMT.

Attitude Towards Suicide and Help-Seeking Behavior Among Medical Undergraduates in a Malaysian University.

OBJECTIVE: The attitude of medical personnel towards suicide may influence the outcome of suicidal-patients management. This study aimed to determine the attitudes of medical undergraduates towards suicide and its association with their help-seeking behavior. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 290 medical undergraduates was conducted in a Malaysian university. The questionnaires on the attitude towards suicide and general help-seeking behavior were used as research instruments. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 22.4 years. Participants who did psychiatry posting indicated a greater tendency to agree on suicide as a way of communication (p = 0.008) than those who did not. Participants previously diagnosed with a psychiatric illness indicated a greater ability to understand and accept suicide (p < 0.001) as well as a greater tendency to agree on the normality of suicide (p = 0.019) than those without a previous diagnosis. Those who attended a suicide prevention program also indicated a greater tendency to agree that loneliness and avoidance could be triggers to suicide (p = 0.037) than those who did not. No correlation was found between the "attitude towards suicide" and "general help-seeking behavior" variable. CONCLUSION: Education programs in suicide prevention and management need to be incorporated early into the undergraduate medical curriculum to cultivate a more positive attitude towards suicide and help-seeking behavior.

The relationship of lifetime substance-use disorder with family functioning, childhood victimisation, and depression, among juvenile offenders in Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent substance use is a multifactorial social issue that leads to detrimental outcomes. The aim of this study is to understand the association of a lifetime history of substance abuse or dependence with family functioning, childhood victimisation, and depression, among adolescent male inmates in a juvenile detention centre in Malaysia. METHODS: This study was cross-sectional involving 230 inmates and was conducted in a juvenile detention centre in Malaysia. The mean age of the participants was 16.65 years, with the highest percentage from the Malay ethnicity (87.8% where n = 202). The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID), Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Involvement Scale (AADIS), Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES) IV and Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire Second Revision (JVQ-R2) were used as instruments. RESULTS: The prevalence of a lifetime history of substance abuse and substance dependence is 72.6% and 58.3%, respectively. A lifetime history of substance abuse and dependence had a significant association with age, race, religion, and peer/sibling victimisation. Further analysis reveals that an increase in age can be a predictor of both lifetime history of substance abuse and dependence while peer/sibling victimisation may predict lifetime history of substance abuse. There was no significant association of lifetime substance-use disorder with family functioning and depression in the juvenile offenders. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents exposed to peer/sibling victimisation might be at a higher risk of developing a substance-use disorder. At-risk groups need to be identified, assessed, and have intervention early to prevent adverse outcomes.

The Psychology of Murder Concealment Acts.

The escalating trend of murder victim concealment worldwide appears worrying, and literature does not reveal any specific study focusing on victim concealment amongst convicted male Malaysian murderers. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the psychological traits that may underlie the act of murder concealment in Malaysia via mixed method approaches. Male murderers (n = 71) from 11 prisons were selected via purposive sampling technique. In the quantitative analysis, a cross-sectional study design using the validated questionnaire was used. The questionnaire contained murder concealment variables and four Malay validated psychometric instruments measuring: personality traits, self-control, aggression, and cognitive distortion. The independent sample t-tests revealed the significantly higher level of anger in murderers who did not commit concealment acts (8.55 ± 2.85, p < 0.05) when compared with those who did so (6.40 ± 2.64). Meanwhile, the Kruskal-Wallis H test revealed that anger and the personality trait of aggressiveness-hostility significantly varied across the different groups of murder concealment acts (p < 0.05). The qualitative data obtained via the in-depth interviews revealed two important themes for the murderers to commit murder concealment acts: (1) fear of discovery and punishment and (2) blaming others. These findings discussed from the perspectives of the murderers within the context of criminology and psychology may provide the first ever insight into the murder concealment acts in Malaysia that can benefit the relevant authorities for crime prevention and investigation efforts.