Study title: The Working Amidst Pandemic (WAP) Survey: A Cross-Sectional Study of Psychological Distress Among Essential and Non-essential Service Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Research team: Dr Marc Archer (CMHW), Dr Nor Hayati Binti Ali, Dr Chee Hoong Moey, Dr Muhammad Haniff Bin Abdullah (all Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Selayang Hospital), Mr Tamil Selvan Ramis (HELP University), Rubendev Singh Dhillon (CMHW), and Dr Aini Hamid (University of Nottingham Malaysia)

Completion date: 2021 (August)

Funding body: none

Funding: none

Outputs: Book chapter for upcoming Routledge book publication on COVID in Malaysia (Psychology): 

COVID-19 and Psychology in Malaysia: Psychosocial Effects, Coping, and Resilience

Pre-publication extract:

Introduction

With the spread of the global pandemic during early-to-mid 2020 came a widespread shift away from the workplace to reduce exposure and contagion (Shah et al., 2020).  However, this ‘new normal’ of remote meetings and home offices was not universal, and a large proportion of the workforce was required to continue going to work with elevated risks (The Lancet, 2020).  Healthcare providers and other essential service workers who were required to be in contact with the public have shown elevated levels of psychological distress, such as symptoms of anxiety and depression (Giorgi et al., 2020).

The study reported in this chapter was developed to determine the prevalence of psychological distress across the Malaysian workforce, and compare those employed in essential and non-essential services as defined by the Malaysian government to cover the first period of the Movement Control Order (MCO)[i] starting March 18th, 2020.  The secondary objective was to identify associations with any specific pandemic-related behaviours (e.g. taking precautions) and concerns (e.g. becoming infected).  Findings from the current research can inform targeted public mental health messaging, human resource management, and a range of psychological interventions.

Study title: Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Workshops for an International Humanitarian Aid Organisation Employees

Research Team: Dr Marc Archer, Dr Wendy Diana Shoesmith, Dr Eugene Koh Boon Yau (Universiti Putra Malaysia), Dr Nicholas Pang Tze Ping (Universiti Malaysia Sabah) , Sandi James (Universiti Malaysia Sabah/La Trobe University), Sue Jenn Cheong (CMHW), Rubendev Singh Dhillon (CMHW).

Completion date: 2022

Funding body: International Humanitarian Aid Organisation

Funding: RM 6,000

Outputs: Presentation at HELP University Psychology Departments 21st Anniversary Research Symposium

Helping Humanitarians: Supporting those who support others

(Research Symposium Presentation Abstract from Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sue Jen Cheong)

Abstract

Humanitarian workers serving vulnerable populations routinely experience dangerous working environments, limited resources, negative reactions from clients, bureaucratic limitations, moral dilemmas, and interpersonal conflicts. These stressors are known to increase risk of burnout and vicarious trauma. Existing interventions for humanitarian workers are limited. Ultra-Brief Psychological Interventions (UBPI), adapted from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), hold promise to provide a set of psychological skills to mitigate risks and enhance wellbeing. This presentation outlines the project context and reports on preliminary focus groups with employees at an international humanitarian organization that will inform subsequent delivery of the UBPI.

Study title: Differential Effects of Digital Media Use on Adolescent Mental Health

Research Team: Dr Marc Archer (CMHW), Pn Fatimah Haron (HELP University), Dr Norhalina Bahar (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hospital Selayang), and Norbaidurah Ithnain (Institute for Health Behavioural Research, Ministry of Health). Professor Ricardo Araya (Director, Centre for Global Mental Health, King’s College London), Professor Therese Hesketh (Centre for Global Health, UCL).

Completion date: 2023

Funding body: MOHE (FRGS)

Funding: RM 79,500

Outline: Mental health problems, along with related suicide and self-harm, are widely understood to have crippling effects on individuals, families, organisations and wider society.  The economic impact is significant, and increased prevalence of anxiety and depression among adolescents is likely to constrain future social wellbeing and economic prosperity. While findings linking these trends to recent proliferation of digital media use has emerged, and been adopted as a powerful cultural narrative, careful scrutiny reveals equivocal evidence.  Accordingly, researchers, clinicians, teachers, and policy makers lack suitable models with which to develop policy and interventions. 

This study will employ an in-depth qualitative investigation of contemporary adolescent mental health in Malaysia followed by the development of a culturally appropriate self-report adolescent mental health tool. The new knowledge generated by this research will provide essential insight into the mental health needs of Malaysian adolescents, help to identify those at risk, and contribute to the way in which suitable interventions might be developed.  Mitigating the effects of mental health problems among adolescents, particularly with early intervention, has significant and widespread implications for societal harmony, development, and economic prosperity. 

Outputs: none to date

Study title: Effects of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) on Trust Behaviour

Research Team: Dr Marc Archer (CMHW), Dr Neil Mennie (UNMC), Dr Giulia Poerio (Essex University, UK), Farihin Ufiya (CMHW), Mohd Irfan Mohd Shofian (CMHW).

Completion date: 2021

Funding body: Sony Malaysia

Funding: RM 30,000

Outputs: Presentation at HELP University Psychology Departments 21st Anniversary Research Symposium

In ASMR, we trust?

(Research Symposium Presentation Abstract from Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Farihin Ufiya)

Abstract

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a pleasurable, head-oriented, tingling sensation that typically occurs in response to specific audiovisual triggers. Although previous studies have reported that the experience of ASMR induces feelings of relaxation and calmness, its effects on affiliative behaviours have yet to be established. This online study is, thus, interested in its effects on trust behaviour, which will be measured using a dyadic economic trust game with real monetary stakes. Our aim is to investigate how trust behaviour differs based on participants’ exposure and receptivity to ASMR content.

Study title: A Survey of Psychological Distress and its Associated Factors among Health Service Providers amidst the Covid-19 Epidemic in Malaysia

Research team: Dr Muhammad Haniff Bin Abdullah, Dr Nor Hayati Binti Ali, Dr Chee Hoong Moey, Dr Dr Hasniah binti Husin (all Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Selayang Hospital), Dr Marc Archer (CMHW). 

Completion date: 2021 (August)

Funding body: none

Funding: none