Exploring the Factor And Structure of Youth Mental Health Problem in Malaysia

Abstract

The youth generation is a group that often associated with mental health is- sues due to lack of experiences in life and exposure to handle stress. There- fore, this study aims to investigate the underlying factor structure for youth mental health in Malaysia context. If we look at it closely, the issue of youth is an important agenda for the nation’s development as they are the asset for the country. However, they are also often prone with involvement with negative symptoms which will be a concern to the Malay government. Participants were 385 youths around Northern Region of Peninsular Malaysia using the random sampling techniques. In this study, four relevant instruments to the youth mental health issues were used, namely Psychological Wellbeing Scale, COPE Scale, Bar-On Emotional Inventory and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Through items from these instruments, researchers found a new underlying dimension of the youth mental health using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Based on the analysis of the studies, there are seven factors that are formed representing the mental health dimensions for the youth which include; 1) emotions, 2) problem solving, 3) intellectual wellness, 4) spiritual- ity, 5) social engagement, 6) resiliency, and 7) behavioral. A new seven dimensions represent a youth mechanism to act when facing the challenges and is- sues. These elements are also believed to be a catalyst to prevent the involvement of the youths to the potential risk of experiencing mental disorders.