COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY
CRISIS AND TRAUMA
MENTAL HEALTH
CHILD AND ADOLECENT COUNSELLING
34
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Perceived peer support and academic achievement among university students: the chain mediating roles of emotion regulation and behavioral engagement Guangyan Gai, Xueke Zhu, Nor Shafrin Ahmad Scientific Reports, 2026 Academic achievement in higher education is shaped not only by cognitive ability but also by social and emotional factors. Based on Social Cognitive Theory, this study examined the relationship between perceived peer support and academic achievement among university students, as well as the mediating roles of emotion regulation and behavioral engagement. Data were collected from 560 undergraduate students from two universities in China using a time-lagged three-wave survey design within one academic semester. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed mediation model. The results indicated that perceived peer support was positively associated with academic achievement. Emotion regulation and behavioral engagement each mediated this relationship. In addition, a significant sequential mediation pathway was identified, indicating that perceived peer support was associated with higher levels of emotion regulation, which in turn predicted greater behavioral engagement and subsequently higher academic achievement. These findings highlight a social-emotional-behavioral pathway linking peer support to academic achievement within the environment-person-behavior framework of Social Cognitive Theory. Practically, fostering supportive peer environments and promoting students’ emotion regulation skills may help encourage greater engagement and support students’ academic development.
Online sexual objectification experiences and academic achievement: Behavioral engagement as a mediator and emotional intelligence as a moderator Guangyan Gai, Nor Shafrin Ahmad, Feilong Yang Acta Psychologica, 2026 This study investigated the effect of online sexual objectification experiences on academic achievement among university students, examining the mediating role of behavioral engagement and the moderating role of emotional intelligence. Grounded in objectification theory and social cognitive theory, a moderated mediation model was proposed. A total of 314 Chinese undergraduates (136 males, 178 females) aged 18 to 23 years (M = 20.45, SD = 1.22) completed the Online Sexual Objectification Experience Scale (OSOES), the Engagement versus Disaffection with Learning-Student Report (EvsD), the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), and the Academic Achievement Scale (AA). Structural equation modeling and PROCESS analyses indicated that online sexual objectification experiences did not directly predict academic achievement; however, behavioral engagement fully mediated this relationship. Moreover, emotional intelligence significantly moderated the association between online sexual objectification experiences and behavioral engagement, such that the negative relationship was weaker among students with higher emotional intelligence. These findings clarify the behavioral mechanism linking digital objectification experiences to academic outcomes and highlight the protective role of emotional intelligence. The results provide theoretical and practical implications for promoting student engagement and psychological resilience in increasingly digitalized learning environments.
Validation of the Bahasa Malaysia Version of the General Attitudes Towards Artificial Intelligence Scale Among Academicians Nur Ain Azman, Nur Syahmina Rasudin, Rohani Ismail, Noraini Abdul Ghafar, Shamarina Shohaimi, Nor Shafrin Ahmad, Norsiah Abdul Hamid Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2025 Background: The growing incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) within academic settings has prompted increased scholarly attention to understanding how academicians perceive its impact. Although the General Attitudes Towards Artificial Intelligence Scale (GAAIS) is a widely recognised instrument for evaluating perceptions of AI, a formally validated version in Bahasa Malaysia has not yet been developed. This study, therefore, sought to adapt and validate the GAAIS in Bahasa Malaysia to assess attitudes toward AI among Malaysian academicians accurately.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among academicians at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus in Malaysia. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed to evaluate the factor structure of the translated scale. Composite reliability (CR) was utilised to assess reliability, whereas convergent validity was determined by calculating the average variance extracted (AVE).Results: The final CFA model confirmed a two-factor structure, retaining 14 out of 20 original items. Factor 1 (Optimism and Benefits) comprised eight items, while Factor 2 (Risks and Ethical Concerns) consisted of six items. The model demonstrated strong fit indices (?²/df = 1.616, TLI = 0.947, CFI = 0.936, RMSEA = 0.073) and high internal consistency (CR values: Factor 1 = 0.899, Factor 2 = 0.888). An AVE of 0.530 for Factor 1 and 0.573 for Factor 2 indicates the convergent validity of the scales.Conclusion: The translated Bahasa Malaysia version of GAAIS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing AI attitudes in general among Malaysian academicians. Its relevance spans multiple academic fields and professional industries, contributing valuable support to ongoing research involving multilingual and multicultural populations.
Validation of a Chinese version of the Nature Relatedness Scale (NRS-C) Chunrong Zuo, Nor Shafrin Ahmad, Xiaogang Zhou, Zhiyong Li, Xiangnan Li, Jianxing Zhang, Lyu Zeng, Yaqian Li, Ying Yang Acta Psychologica, 2025 This study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the Nature Relatedness Scale (NRS C). Building on previous studies that had completed the translation and back-translation of the original English scale, this study first evaluated item comprehensibility with two participants groups ( N = 64, N = 40). A total of 692 university students from three Chinese universities were then recruited for further validation. Item analysis showed good discriminative ability, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) suggested removing items 4 and 13 to enhance applicability. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the three-factor structure of the NRS C, with the second-order model demonstrating a good fit after removing items 3 and 6 (χ 2 /df = 2.508, NFI = 0.888, RFI = 0.863, IFI = 0.934, TLI = 0.918, CFI = 0.933, RMSEA = 0.061), indicating strong structural validity. The NRS-C showed a significant correlation with the Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) ( r = 0.71), demonstrating high convergent validity. Internal consistency coefficients (NR-self: 0.88, NR-perspective: 0.75, NR-experience: 0.71, Total: 0.91) confirmed high reliability. These findings suggest that the NRS C, with 17 items across three dimensions, is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing nature relatedness among Chinese university students.
An evaluation of counselling approach on communication apprehension among students in higher education Nor Hernamawarni Abd Majid, Nor Shafrin Ahmad, Rahimi Che Aman, Nik Rosila Nik Yaacob, Nur Hikmah Mubarak Ali International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 2025 <span lang="EN-US">Communication apprehension is a major challenge in higher education, affecting students’ communication ability, which is crucial for academic success and future employability. It manifests as public speaking anxiety, reluctance in group discussions, and avoidance of classroom interactions, hindering soft skill development and academic performance. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of counselling approaches in reducing communication apprehension among students in higher education. Consequently, counselling intervention modules, including the solution-focused brief cognitive behavior (SFBCB) therapy and group counselling (GC) modules, were developed. Sixty students who participated in this study were studying at a public university. Pre-tests, post-tests, and follow-up tests were administered using the personal reports of communication apprehension questionnaire to measure changes in apprehension levels across different communication contexts, including group discussions, meetings, dyadic interactions, and public speaking. The results demonstrated that both intervention modules significantly reduced communication apprehension, with improvements in participants’ confidence and communication abilities. In conclusion, the study highlights the effectiveness of integrating solution-focused and cognitive-behavioral techniques in counselling interventions to mitigate communication apprehension. These findings suggest that such approaches can be valuable tools in higher education to enhance students’ communication skills, ultimately contributing to their academic success and personal growth.</span>
Disciplinary Problems Among FELDA Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review Nurul Fazzuan Khalid, Nor Shafrin Ahmad, Syed Mohamad Syed Abdullah, Akrimi Maswa Mohd Sahell, Usman Isah Asia Pacific Journal of Educators and Education, 2025 Adolescents in Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) settlements face unique psychosocial challenges that contribute to disciplinary problems, yet systematic evidence remains limited. This systematic literature review aimed to identify and analyse the characteristics of students with disciplinary problems in FELDA settlements and examine contributing factors to inform intervention strategies. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, two databases: Scopus and Web of Science were searched for studies published between2000 until 2025. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Thematic synthesis was employed to analyse findings across each selected study. Ten studies met inclusion criteria, comprising seven quantitative, two qualitative, and one mixed-methods study. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes: (1) characteristics of FELDA students with disciplinary problems, (2) contributing factors, and (3) intervention strategies and protective factors. Male adolescents demonstrated significantly higher rates of disciplinary problems, with 54.1% of males reporting smoking compared to 4.3% of females. Family and peer influence was particularly strong in contributing factors. Religious-based interventions,group counselling, and academic support were commonly recommended as protective interventions. Despitethese findings, the evidence base is limited in both size and methodological rigour. Most studies were crosssectionaland varied in quality, thus limiting the strength of conclusions. To strengthen the evidence base,future research should employ more robust methodologies, particularly longitudinal and intervention studiestailored to the cultural context of FELDA populations.
Compliance with the 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines among children and adolescents with disabilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis Yaru Hao, Xiaogang Zhou, Rizal Razman, Sanying Peng, Nor Shafrin Ahmad BMC Public Health, 2024 BACKGROUND: Compliance with the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (24-HMG: physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep) has been associated with numerous beneficial health outcomes among children and adolescents. However, there is a lack of consensus on the overall compliance with the 24-HMG specifically among children and adolescents with disabilities. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the extent to which children and adolescents with disabilities adhere to the 24-HMG globally. METHOD: Quantitative studies published in English until May 2023 were sought by searching seven electronic databases: Web of Science, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection. This review included studies that identified participants as individuals with disabilities and reported the overall (non) compliance with the 24-HMG among children and adolescents with disabilities. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies, involving 21,101 individuals (65.95% males), aged 6 to 21 years from 9 countries, were included in the analysis. In general, 7% (95%CI: 0.05-0.09, p < 0.01) of children and adolescents with disabilities met all three 24-HMG, while 16% (95%CI: 0.13-020, p < 0.01) did not meet any of the three recommendations. Regarding adherence to individual 24-hour movement behaviour, the rates of compliance were 22% (95%CI: 0.18-0.25, p < 0.01) for PA, 49% (95%CI: 0.41-0.56, p < 0.01) for ST, and 59% (95%CI: 0.56-0.61, p < 0.01) sleep. In relation to numbers of those meeting the 24-HMG, 43% (95%CI: 0.41-0.45, p < 0.01) met one guideline, while 32% (95%CI: 0.28-0.36, p < 0.01) met two guidelines. CONCLUSION: There is a notable percentage of children and adolescents with disabilities who do not meet the recommended the 24-HMG, which encompasses PA, ST, and sleep. This underscores the pressing requirement to create and execute evidence-based strategies that effectively encourage and assist these individuals with disabilities in adopting and maintaining these movement behaviours.
Body Image Dissatisfaction, Depression and Anxiety in a Sample of College Students Wuman Hong, Nor Shafrin Ahmad Open Psychology Journal, 2024 Background Body dissatisfaction is a common and important issue, especially for college students. It can lead to a number of negative outcomes. However, existing researches still lack attention to cultural background differences, gender differences and grade differences in body image dissatisfaction and related depression and anxiety among college students. Aim This study aimed to examine cultural, gender, and grade level differences in body dissatisfaction with depression and anxiety in a population of college students in China. Methods This study was conducted with students from a college in southern China. Three hundred twenty-nine questionnaires were administered through a random sampling method, and 150 students (67 male and 83 female) with body image dissatisfaction were finally screened. Data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient, regression analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, and homogeneity of variance test. Results Findings showed that body satisfaction was negatively correlated with depression and anxiety, and predictive of depression and anxiety, with no gender differences among Chinese college students. However, regarding grade level differences, body image dissatisfaction showed a significant difference in freshman and senior years. Conclusion The relationship between body image dissatisfaction and depression and anxiety is universal in the Chinese cultural context. Future research and college mental health education are recommended to focus on gender and grade level differences in body image dissatisfaction.
Developing Crisis Intervention Model Within Sociocultural and Spiritual Landscapes: Implications for Islamic Education in Malaysia Nor Shafrin Ahmad, Rahimi Che Aman, Iffah Mardhiah Ahmad Sukri Asia Pacific Journal of Educators and Education, 2024 Crisis interventions assist psychologically distressed individuals to return to normal levels of functioning and to minimise the negative effects of psychological trauma. This study aims to develop an appropriate crisis intervention model that suits the sociocultural and spiritual context of Malaysian society, to test the validity and reliability of the crisis intervention model developed, and to integrate crisis intervention model developed in Islamic Education. A qualitative approach was used to collect data by semi structured interviews with a total of 24 respondents, consisting of counselling teachers and counsellors with over 10 years of experience in dealing with crisis cases. Seven counsellors and counselling officers are involved in testing the content validity and reliability of the model. To analyse, content analysis was used to develop main themes and sub-themes. Four stages of the crisis intervention model were developed. The model is named RPSD, which includes rapport (R), assessment (penaksiran) (P), support (S) and coping (daya tindak) (D). This crisis intervention model has high content validity (95%) and reliability is 0.77. The findings illustrate the relevance of the crisis intervention model developed in the sociocultural and spiritual context of Malaysian society. The RPSD crisis intervention model contributes comprehensive, concise yet easy and practical guidelines to help individuals with a crisis and suitable to integrate in Islamic Education. This integration acknowledges the importance of spirituality, especially in the coping stage during crises.
Association between meeting the 24-hour movement guideline and anxiety status in Chinese school-aged adolescents Xiaogang Zhou, Nor Shafrin Ahmad, Ahmad Zamri Khairani, Yongqian Chen Environment and Social Psychology, 2024 Background/Objective: Adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines (24-HMG) and various favorable health outcomes has been extensively documented; however, its relationship with anxiety among school-aged adolescents in China remains less explored. This study aims to examine the association between complying with the 24-HMG and anxiety status among school-aged adolescents in China.Methods: Cross-sectional data on movement behavior, encompassing physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep, were collected through the Health Behavior School-aged Children Survey from 670 adolescents (mean age=13.57±0.98). Anxiety was self-reported using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. Logistic regression was employed to assess the association between meeting the 24-HMG and anxiety status.Results: Only 2.1% of participants met all three 24-HMG, while 26.0% did not meet any of the recommendations. Additionally, 8.2% of participants reported experiencing anxiety. Logistic regression analyses indicated a significant association between adherence to the sedentary behavior guidelines (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.301, p < 0.05), sleep guidelines (OR = 0.260, p < 0.005), or both (OR = 0.168, p < 0.005), and a reduced likelihood of anxiety compared to non-adherence. Conversely, adherence to none of the 24-HMG was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of anxiety (OR=3.343, p<0.05), highlighting a greater probability of experiencing anxiety among these individuals compared to those who adhered to the guidelines.Conclusion: Only a minority of Chinese adolescents adhere to healthy movement behavior guidelines. It is important to consider the holistic approach of 24-HMG in mitigating anxiety among school-aged adolescents in China. Encouraging more high-quality research is essential to identify the correlates of movement behaviors in adolescents and design effective interventions.
Rasch model analysis of the Beck Depression inventory-II among Malaysian school students Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020
Ketahanan diri akademik dalam kalangan murid daripada ibu bapa bercerai Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 2019
Sharing experiences among people with physical disabilities through rehabilitation counselling sessions International Journal of Innovation Creativity and Change, 2019
Measuring Anger Types among Malaysian Adolescents using the Rasch Model Journal of Applied Measurement, 2017
