MOJPC: Malaysia Online Journal of Psychology & Counselling

EXPLORING MINDFULNESS EXERCISE EXPERIENCES DURING INTERNSHIP AMONG TRAINEE COUNSELORS

Christina Choo, Salmah Mohamad Yusoff, Siti Norazilah Mohd Said — Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 +0800

The integration aimed to enhance the trainees' competency and confidence to employ mindfulness practices in client interactions. This investigation delves into the firsthand encounters of trainee counselors who incorporated mindfulness exercises during their internships. Six trainee counselors from UNIMAS engaged in internship attended a mindfulness briefing program and embarked on a month-long journey of practicing mindfulness exercises such as journal reflection, mindfulness breathing, mindful eating, and mindfulness communication as assigned homework. Through individual semi-structured interviews, the trainee counselors' experiences with mindfulness during their internship were explored. Thematic analysis of the recorded data revealed three overarching themes: "Process," "Experience," and "Outcome" which encompass subthemes including the initial process, time constraints, environmental considerations, anxiety, evolving experiences, heightened awareness, habituation, enhanced counseling competency, and the role of mindfulness as a client-oriented tool. The resulting themes provide a comprehensive view of this experience, paving the way for a better understanding of the role of mindfulness in counselor development and client support. Further research and ongoing exploration of mindfulness in counseling contexts could provide valuable insights for refining training programs and optimizing the use of mindfulness as a tool for counselor development.

MIXED ATTITUDES TOWARDS ADHD AS A MITIGATING FACTOR IN CRIMINAL SENTENCING IN SINGAPORE: AN ARCHIVAL INVESTIGATION

Shao Yuan Chong — Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 +0800

This study investigates how ADHD is deliberated in Singaporean criminal trial cases to consider what aspects of ADHD influenced trial outcomes. An archival search was conducted through Lawnet on criminal trial cases mentioning ADHD in Singapore from 1975 to 2021. 48 cases were included in the analysis. The exploratory descriptive analysis revealed that where cases accepted ADHD as a mitigating factor (n = 11), they considered the influence of impulsivity and susceptibility to social influence, henceforth selecting a rehabilitative-focused sentence. Where ADHD was not accepted as a mitigating factor (n = 37), the judge either did not see a causal link between ADHD and the act of offence or believe that ADHD did not substantially impact the defendant’s mens rea.

RADIANT MINDS: ASSESSING THE GRATITUDE BLUEPRINT INTERVENTION MODULE (GBIM) FROM POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY TO ALLEVIATE DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND STRESS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Charles Ganaprakasam, Muralitharan Shanmugam — Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 +0800

The rising prevalence of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress in children underscores the urgent need for effective early interventions to support their well-being and social development. Hence, this study evaluates the effectiveness of the Gratitude Blueprint Intervention Module (GBIM), grounded in positive psychology principles. The quasi-experimental study involved 16 students aged 12 and employed pretest-posttest assessments by utilizing the short version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. Results indicate a significant reduction in depression, anxiety, and stress scores post-GBIM activities, suggesting its potential as a valuable tool for guidance and counseling teachers. The study underscores the importance of incorporating theory-driven interventions into schools to address mental health challenges among students.

KAUNSELING KERJAYA DALAM KALANGAN PELAJAR PINTAR DAN BERBAKAT: PERSPEKTIF MALAYSIA

Mohd Hakimie Zainal Abidin, Rorlinda Yusof — Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Career guidance and counseling services among smart and talented students is one of the important elements in developing the potential of smart and talented students. In addition, smart and talented students face unique issues in managing learning matters at school. Accurate information and appropriate strategies are required in providing career guidance and counseling services. Accordingly, this study aims to examine career guidance and counseling issues faced by smart and talented students who are pursuing academic studies at one of the institutions that offer smart and talented education. In addition, this study aims to analyze the needs of guidance and career counseling services for smart and talented students. This study is a qualitative study that uses a phenomenological research design by conducting document analysis and interviews as data collection methods. The study participants involved in this study are ten people who are smart and talented students. The research data in this study was analyzed using atlas.ti software. The results of the study show that smart and talented students have issues in career guidance and counseling and need guidance and career counseling services from the counselors at the institution.

EXAMINING THE INTERPLAY OF PARENTAL LITERACY HABITS, READING ATTITUDE, AND ENGLISH PHONOLOGICAL AWARENESS AMONG PRIVATE PRESCHOOLERS IN MALAYSIA

Yeo Chie Ling, Chew Fong Peng, Fonny Dameaty Hutagalung — Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 +0800

This study examined 374 Malaysian parent-child dyads to explore the link between preschoolers' parent literacy habits, English phonological awareness, and reading attitude. Parents provided demographic information and completed a Parent Literacy Habits Questionnaire, while children underwent a Phonological Awareness Test and Elementary Reading Attitude Survey. Analyzing data with descriptive statistics and Structural Equation Modeling revealed no significant relationship between parent literacy habits and reading attitude. Additionally, reading attitude did not mediate the connection between parent literacy habits and English phonological awareness. The findings suggest that preschoolers' English phonological skills are directly influenced by parents' daily reading habits, independent of the child's reading attitude.