Nowadays, the issue of teachers’ psychological well-being causes serious concern, especially in Malaysia. Many studies related to psychological well-being have focused on students rather than on the health and well-being of teachers. Thus, the current study investigated the determinants of psychological well-being (depression, anxiety and stress) from the psychosocial work environment (job control, job demands and social support), and examined the moderating role of job control and social support in the relationship between job demands and psychological well-being among teachers. The design of this study was quantitative research through a survey questionnaire. The sample consisted of 335 high school teachers (23.3%—male; 76.7%—female) who responded to measuring scales of job demands, job control, social support, depression, anxiety and stress, and socio-demographic profile. The data were analyzed using two statistical methods, namely descriptive and inferential statistics. The hierarchical linear regression model was used to analyze the data by assisting the statistical software, i.e., SPSS-23. The results showed that job demands, job control and social support significantly predicted teachers’ psychological well-being. Furthermore, the effect of job demands on teachers’ depression and anxiety was partially moderated by job control and social support. In conclusion, this study has successfully identified the significant predictors of teachers’ psychological well-being and the role of job control and social support as a moderating variable to teachers’ psychological well-being in Malaysia. The result provides insights and contributes to the literature of teachers’ psychological well-being determinants and involves Malaysian respondents with a collectivistic eastern culture.

Due to unpredictable and demanding working circumstances and the significant potential for dangers and accidents, seafaring has been characterised as one of the world’s riskiest and stressful vocations that lead to physical and mental health problems. However, very few instruments measure work-related stress, particularly in a seafaring context. None of the instruments are psychometrically sound. Therefore, a valid and reliable instrument to measure seafaring work-related stress is indispensable. This study aims to review work-related stress instruments and to explore the work-related stress construct among seafarers in Malaysia. This study uses a systematic review and semi-structured interviews across two phases. In Phase 1, we conducted a systematic review of several databases: Academic Search Ultimate, Emerald Journal Premier, Journal Storage (JSTOR), ScienceDirect, Springer Link, Taylor and Francis Online, and Wiley Online Library based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). In 8975 articles, only 4 (four) studies used psychological instruments and 5 (five) studies used survey questionnaires to measure work-related stress. In Phase 2, we conducted a semi-structured interview with 25 (twenty-five) seafarers, online due to COVID-19 restrictions. The semi-structured interview indicated 6 (six) themes, namely, physical stress, personal issues, social living onboard, technostress, work factors, and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. In conclusion, the present study has identified three psychometric instruments for measuring work-related stress among seafarers: The Psychological General Well-Being Index, Perceived Stress Scale, and Job Content Questionnaire. We also found psychometric elements in some of the instruments are questionable, such as theoretical basis, construct development, and inadequate internal consistency value. In addition, this study also found that work-related stress is a multidimensional construct that needs to be studied based on work contexts. The findings of this study can contribute to the body of knowledge of a work-related stress construct in a seafaring context and could help to inform policy makers in the maritime industry. This study suggests a psychological instrument to measure work-related stress among seafarers in future studies.

Egoistic motives play an important role for the involvement of college students in volunteering activities. This study extends the prior research to the Malaysian context and aims to emphasize on descriptive analysis of egoistic motives. A quantitative cross sectional survey research method was used to collect data. A self-administered questionnaire comprised of a demographic and an adaptation of Volunteer Function Inventory (VFI) was administered to samples from four public universities in Peninsular Malaysia. They were proportionately and randomly selected in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. In a sample of 310, the results of the study revealed that egoistic motives in terms of career needs, self-protection and social needs were from high to very high level. The results also showed that the need to reduce the feeling of loneliness had recorded the highest mean of items. Besides, the results found that majority of the respondents acknowledged that egoistic motives were important for their involvement in volunteering activities. Meanwhile, 96 per cent of them acknowledged that the most important reason for their involvement in volunteering activities was to protect them from loneliness. The implications for theory and volunteers’ managerial practices are discussed and put forward.

The psychometric properties of the Malay Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) need to be tested as it is increasingly utilized, and there is a lack of a brief, validated scale to examine suicidal behaviors in Malaysia. A total of 713 and 715 undergraduates answered the English and Malay SBQ-R, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis derived a one-factor solution, with a total explained variance of 58.0% accounted for by the four items. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the one-factor model for the Malay SBQ-R, with acceptable fit indices (χ²/df = 0.451, comparative and Tucker–Lewis fit indices = ≥1.000, standardized root mean square residual = 0.014, root mean square error of approximation = 0.000, and 90% CI [0.000, 0.083]). Measurement invariance was achieved when comparing the SBQ-R between the English and Malay versions, indicating that both versions are similar in Malaysian undergraduates. Convergent validity was established through a strong correlation between the Malay SBQ-R and the Malay Yatt Suicide Attitude Scale (r = 0.74; p < 0.001). Good internal consistency was achieved for both the English (α = 0.83; ω = 0.85) and Malay (α = 0.81; ω = 0.84) versions. The Malay SBQ-R has adequate validity and reliability for use in Malaysian undergraduates.

Job Satisfaction is an important element to attract college student’s involvement in volunteer clubs. Most studies have looked at job satisfaction of employees and volunteers in developed countries and few studies of job satisfaction done for volunteers in developing countries. This study aims to survey job satisfaction among college student volunteers in Malaysia. A cross sectional survey was conducted among 310 college student volunteers from four regions of peninsular Malaysia. The participants were selected using stratified multistage sampling. Job satisfaction was measured using Job Descriptive Index (JDI).Results of the study revealed that job satisfaction in terms of colleague, leader/leadership, tasks, opportunities for promotion and overall job satisfaction were from moderate to high level. Mean for job satisfaction toward colleague was 43.16 (s.d = 6.63), leader/leadership 41.45 (s.d = 10.19), tasks 41.04 (s.d = 6.07), opportunities for promotion 33.26 (s.d = 10.88) and overall job satisfaction 158.90 (s.d = 25.55). Job satisfaction toward colleague was the highest mean meanwhile opportunities for promotion was the lowest. The implication of college student volunteer’s systems and practices are discussed.