The Malay version of the WHOQOL-BREF was published approximately 15 years ago. Since then, no known research has been conducted to identify the psychometric properties of the scale using confirmatory factor analysis. This study aimed to establish a model by applying a scientific approach to the translation and adaptation method. The back translation technique was used for the translation process. This cross-sectional study involved 282 employees at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The instrument received satisfactory Cronbach’s alpha reliability values. The data were analysed with SEM using AMOS. Results showed that the model produced is parsimonious, with CMIN/df = 0.23, CFI = 0.93, SRMR = 0.08, RMSEA = 0.08 and PCLOSE = 0.07. Adopting the Malay version of the WHOQOL-BREF for future research is highly recommended due to its properties.

The aim of this study was to validate the Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation-Confinement (SMILE-C) in a Malaysian context. The SMILE-C, which is a respondent-generated instrument, was used to ask participants questions on their lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. The indices of seven sub-scores were then calculated. A total of 121 university staff members completed the Malay version of the SMILE-C as well as instruments for measuring well-being, family life satisfaction, mindfulness and awareness, work engagement, and quality of life. The Cronbach’s alpha values and Pearson correlation coefficients were satisfactory in this initial validation of the instrument. The SMILE-C showed positive correlations with all the variables being studied. The results supported the criterion-related validity and psychometric properties of the Malay version of the SMILE-C as an instrument for assessing lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using an e-calendar, a web-based intervention program, informal mindfulness activities, and work engagement, this study evaluated the sustainability of the quality of life for staff with obesity at a Malaysian public university. The participants were identified through the human resources department of the university. The inclusion criteria required an age of 20–59 years and BMI ≥ 25. The exclusion criteria were pregnancy, the use of weight loss pills or supplements that can influence weight, chronic illness, and the use of medication that requires physician monitoring. Thirty-one university staff were assessed for quality of life using a within-subject repeated-measures design. The participants were asked to use the study website for 10 to 15 min/day for 36 weeks. Data was captured by a pretest, posttest, and two follow-up surveys. The results showed an increase in the posttest mean scores for all domains representing the quality of life. As expected, three domains increased at follow-up 1 and were maintained at follow-up 2. This suggests that informal mindfulness practices and work engagement using an e-calendar are practical means to increase and sustain the quality of life of employees. In conclusion, the quality of life among university staff with obesity can be improved using informal mindfulness activities and work engagement, and an e-calendar is another alternative method of practicing mindfulness at home and at the workplace. The implications of this study are also discussed.

Female inmates are often associated with mental health problems. If this not properly handled can interfere with their recovery process as long as serving imprisonment. Therefore, the various approaches were carried out by the prisons in implementing a rehabilitation program for inmates. Among them is by using a religious approach. Therefore, this study is conducted to identify the role of religious programs in reducing the mental health problems of female inmates, especially those related to anxiety and depression problems. The focus is on issues of anxiety and depression because these two aspects are often associated with female inmates. This study uses quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative approach was used by distributing questionnaires to respondents consisting of 141 women prisoners. While qualitative data through interviews with 4 respondents (female inmates) became support to quantitative data. The findings show that religious programs have negative correlation with anxiety and depression of female inmates. Understanding and true appreciation of aqidah can have a positive impact on the mental health of female inmates.

The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought significant changes to human life in various aspects, including the economy, society, and culture. What is concerning is that, without clear value and ethical controls, AI has the potential to disrupt the balance of humanity and human development. In Islam, humans are entrusted as khalifah (vicegerents) to develop and prosper the earth based on principles outlined in the Qur’an and Hadith. This article discusses how the Islamic principle of khalifah can serve as a foundation for human development in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) by identifying the concept of khalifah from an Islamic perspective and evaluating the impact of AI development on human growth. Furthermore, this study proposes a framework for AI development based on khalifah principles. The advancement of AI technology requires guidance grounded in values and ethics to ensure human well-being and environmental balance. This study employs a qualitative approach through library research on primary and secondary sources related to the concept of khalifah, human development, and ethical issues of AI in the contemporary context. The article proposes the integration of maqasid shariah and the khalifah principle as an Islamic ethical framework in the development and use of AI.

HRMARS is well established journal publisher based in Pakistan. It is publishing prominent journals in social sciences since 2011.