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The Strong-Ties and Weak-Ties Rationality Scale (STWTRS) is a theory-driven measure of the culture-insiders' reasoning about the world. In this study, we further explored the latent structure of STWTRS in a cross-indigenous study (n = 2,173) conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in two Asian countries (China and Malaysia) and two Western countries (Australia and the United States). We hypothesized that strong ties (ST) versus weak ties (WT) rationality can predict different downstream perceptions such as preferred support system and public stigma (PS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results revealed consistently a two-factor structure in ST rationality—ST as communal (ST-C) and ST as authoritarian (ST-A); and in WT rationality—WT as analytic (WT-A) and WT as independent (WT-I), across four countries. Within-country comparisons revealed that both Asian countries had significantly higher ST scores than WT scores, whereas WT was significantly higher than ST in both Western countries. As predicted, across all four countries, ST-C was positively and significantly correlated with social tightness and preferred ST support system, whereas ST-A was the best predictor for PS. Variations of correlation patterns across countries could be explained by their respective exposure to Western influence. Findings could be explained by ecological-rationality match and construal-level theory, thereby opening up new conceptual horizons for future research in culture and rationality. Public Significance Statement: This large-scale study across four nations demonstrates how COVID-related phenomena such as pandemic stigma and preferred help-seeking networks can be predicted by basic human reasoning along the divide between strong-ties and weak-ties rationalities. The results shed light on the so far neglected aspects of the Asian populations, to capture what is unique about them, and to provide a more nuanced explanation of cross-cultural differences. By developing insight into the reasoning (rationality) behind the behaviors of the culturally different other, this study has the potential to deescalate the rising international tension in the post-COVID-19 era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

We investigated the relationship between strong‐ties versus weak‐ties rationality and public stigma (PS) during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We also explored the cultural group differences (Malaysians vs. Australians) in this relationship. An online survey was conducted in 2021 with a final sample of 830 eligible Malaysians and 394 eligible Australians. Participants completed the multidimensional strong‐ties weak‐ties rationality Scale (STWTRS) and an adapted public stigma (PS) scale towards COVID‐19 patients. Through multiple regression analysis, we found that the strong‐ties rationality, ST‐Authoritarian rationality, was positively associated with PS‐Blame in both countries. However, the variable Country moderated the relationship between ST‐Communal and PS‐Rejection, with a negative association found in Malaysia and a positive association in Australia. The findings confirmed the strong‐ties weak‐ties rationality framework, where ST rationality, especially ST‐Authoritarian, could explain the cognitive mechanism behind negative attitudes towards those who pose threat towards the in‐group survival. However, ST‐Communal could buffer the rejection towards the COVID‐19 patients in Malaysia due to its emphasis on social harmony. This study can inform future interventions aimed at mitigating stigma and promoting a more inclusive and supportive society in times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This report introduces the development of the Southeast Asian Indigenous Psychology (SEAIP) network and the outcomes of the SEAIP‐2023 conference. First, we summarize four priorities of SEAIP research that evolved throughout the years; next, we propose four action plans in translating our research into practice. Our report aims to inspire Asian psychologists, especially the younger generation of scholars, to join and contribute to the development of this network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

There is growing evidence of the connection between variations in kinship intensity and cross-cultural differences in psychological traits. Contributing to this literature on kinship intensity, we put forward a mental model to explain the enduring connection between ancestral niche and psychological traits. Our model posits that two primary orientations or dispositions—strong-ties and weak-ties rationalities—have co-evolved with our ancestral niches to perpetuate—by internalizing and reproducing—the social structure (such as preferences for certain attitudes, values, and beliefs) of the ancestral niche. The findings from 1,291 participants across four societies—China, India, Taiwan, and the United States—support our hypothesis that strong-ties (weak-ties) rationalities, when activated, will endorse strong-tie (weak-ties) values and beliefs. This proposed model contributes to the toolbox of cultural and cross-cultural psychology in a twofold sense: First, in addition to the index of kinship intensity, it offers a measure of kin-based rationality as another predictor of psychological traits; second, it renders intelligible the niche and rationality disconnect prevalent in the globalizing era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Despite typically being studied as a unidimensional construct, self-esteem has been proposed to comprise of two distinct but highly correlated domains: self-competence and self-liking. This study aimed to examine how the two domains of self-esteem predict the sexual functioning of young adults in Malaysia, and the potential role of relationship status as a moderator. A total of 314 Malaysian young adults aged 21.08 years on average (SD = 1.84) completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Female Sexual Function Index. Results suggest that self-competence, but not self-liking, was positively associated with sexual arousal, lubrication/erection, and orgasm among those who were single. Aside from the sexual functioning domain of sexual pain, no significant associations between self-esteem and sexual functioning were found among those who were in a relationship. These findings provide support to the bidimensional conceptualisation of self-esteem in the context of sexual well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

As cultural conflicts are intensifying locally and internationally in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic, fine-tuned investigation of culture/religion, especially that of the marginalized populations, holds the potential to reduce disparity and suffering in the global village. This study used 3 textual analysis programs--Topic Modeling, C-LIWC, and SSWC-Chinese--to shed light on the differences in cognition and emotion between two communities with radically different religious beliefs (Bimo and Christianity) among the Yi ethnic minority in Southwest China. Findings from these programs replicated the manual coding results of the previous study, and confirmed the prediction that cultural differences in cognition and emotion between the Yi-Bimo and the Yi-Christian fall along the divide between strong-ties and weak-ties rationality (Sundararajan, 2020a). Demonstrating an edge of advantage over manual coding, this machine-assisted analysis lends convergent validity to the previous study, and presents a more nuanced picture of diversity in emotion and cognition among the Chinese, with practical implications for future research and intervention for the marginalized populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This study attempts to widen the conceptual space of resilience in (Western) psychology in order to better capture the resilience landscape of an ethnic minority group ravaged by the HIV/AIDS pandemic—the Nuosu-Yi in Southwest China. Without decolonizing the construct of resilience, non-Western versions of coping with adversities cannot be properly understood. Our process of decolonization of resilience involved two steps: First, we conducted semistructured interviews with the target population (N = 21) to take inventory of their Indigenous notions of resilience. Second, for conceptual comparison, we mapped the themes and categories, derived from thematic analysis, of the interview data onto the conceptual space of the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), which we used as proxy for mainstream conceptualizations of resilience. This mapping revealed multiple lacunae in the theoretical framework of RSA, and unique properties in the Indigenous approach to adversities in contrast. Far reaching theoretical and practical implications of this investigation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: Though many literatures documented burnout and occupational hazard among healthcare workers and frontliners during pandemic, not many adopted a systemic approach to look at the resilience among this population. Another under-studied population was the large numbers of global healthcare workers who have been deployed to tackle the crisis of COVID-19 pandemic in the less resourceful regions. We investigated both the mental wellbeing risk and protective factors of a deployed healthcare workers (DHWs) team in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak during 2020. Method: A consensual qualitative research approach was adopted with 25 DHWs from H province through semi-structured interviews after 3 months of deployment period. Results: Inductive-Deductive thematic coding with self-reflexivity revealed multi-layered risk and protective factors for DHWs at the COVID-19 frontline. Intensive working schedule and high-risk environment, compounded by unfamiliar work setting and colleagues; local culture adaptation; isolation from usual social circle, strained the DHWs. Meanwhile, reciprocal relationships and "familial relatedness" with patients and colleagues; organizational support to the DHWs and their immediate families back home, formed crucial wellbeing resources in sustaining the DHWs. The dynamic and dialectical relationships between risk and protective factors embedded in multiple layers of relational contexts could be mapped into a socio-ecological framework. Conclusion: Our multidisciplinary study highlights the unique social connectedness between patient-DHWs; within DHWs team; between deploying hospital and DHWs; and between DHWs and the local partners. We recommend five organizational strategies as mental health promotion and capacity building for DHWs to build a resilient network and prevent burnout at the disaster frontline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Religion and spirituality gain importance as a person ages. Research has shown that religion has a salutary effect on mental health, and it is associated with health differently across ethnic groups. The current study examined ethnic differences in the association between religion and mental health among older adults in a predominantly Muslim population and multicultural setting. Data of 7068 participants (4418 Malays, 2080 Chinese and 570 Indians) aged ≥55 years that were collected as part of the community health survey conducted in 2013 in the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) were analyzed using bivariate and multiple regressions. Analyses were stratified by ethnicity. The importance of having an enriched religious/spiritual life was associated with higher scores of depression, anxiety and stress among Chinese and higher score of depression among Malays, while belief in a higher power was associated with better mental health among Malays, Chinese and Indians. The current study showed that there were ethnic variations in the associations between religion and mental health, and the associations depended on the religious variable included in the analysis. The findings of this study showed that religion could be another potential channel to improve mental health among older adults by accommodating and understanding their religious beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Many psychological researchers have proven the deteriorating effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic on public mental health. In Malaysia, various Covid-19 clusters were associated with religious gatherings. From a cultural psychology perspective, how ethno-religious groups respond to this crisis originating from their unique rationality and ecological systems. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the illness perceptions of major religious groups (Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist) in Malaysia toward the Covid-19 pandemic, their stress levels, and the relationship between illness perception, stress, and forms of religious expression during the lockdown period. Through an online survey method, 608 Malaysian religious believers were included in this mixed-method empirical study, which adapted standardized instruments [Duke University Religion Index (DUREL), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)]. Statistical analysis showed that all three groups reported moderate levels of stress in average without any significant difference after controlling for age. Both internal and external forms of religious expression had a significant negative relationship with stress levels. Personal control, comprehension, and emotions domains of illness perception accounted for a significant variance in the stress level. Furthermore, religious expression significantly moderated the relationship between some illness perception domains and stress. Qualitative coding revealed that most participants perceived human behavior and attitudes, sociopolitical, and sociological factors as causal factors to the current pandemic. These findings confirmed the relationship between religious expression, illness belief, and stress regulation during the pandemic lockdown. Incidental findings of age as a potential protective factor for Malaysian believers warrants further study. In the conclusion, implications for public health policymakers and religious communities on pandemic prevention and well-being promotion were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Past studies pay little attention to the intention to donate hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) among blood donors. This study investigated the level of and the influence of socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, subjective norm and self-efficacy on the intention to donate HSC among blood donors. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited blood donors at selected public hospitals in the Malaysian State of Sarawak in 2019. A structured questionnaire was developed based on the review of relevant literature. It gathered information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, subjective norm and self-efficacy on the intention to donate HSC. Variables with a p value <0.200 in bivariate analysis were included in the variable selection for regression modeling to examine their associations with the intention to donate HSC. Results: A total of 569 blood donors participated (94.5% response rate). Overall, 87.1% reported a positive intention to donate HSC. In the regression model, the factor with the greatest association with intention to donate HSC was subjective norms about HSC donation (β = 0.35, 95% CI 0.27–0.42), followed by attitude about regulations of HSC donation (β= 0.21, 95% CI 0.13–0.35), self-efficacy on HSC donation (β = 0.15, 95% CI 0.09–0.32), attitude about the potential side effects of HSC donation (β = 0.14, 95% CI 0.02–0.10) and highest education level (β = 0.10, 95% CI 0.03–0.44). Conclusions: The findings can be used to formulate a better strategy in promoting HSC donation among blood donors in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: A pharmacist-led structured group-based intervention (MEDIHEALTH) was formulated to improve medication adherence among Malay type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in the Malaysian state of Sarawak.Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of MEDIHEALTH and its mechanism of impact for improving medication adherence and the glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level.Methods: A two group and parallel randomised controlled trial with a twelve months follow-up period was conducted at two primary health clinics in Malaysia that were surrounded by Malay communities. Malay T2DM patients whose HbA1c was >7% and total score on the Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale (SEAMS) was <26 were recruited and parallelly randomised to the MEDIHEALTH or usual care (control) groups. The extended theory of planned behaviour was employed to test the mechanism of impact. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used to assess the difference in the estimated marginal mean of the SEAMS scores and HbA1c level between the intervention and control groups at different times.Results: A total of 142 participants were recruited and randomised; three from the intervention group and eight from the control group withdrew before receiving any treatment. Hence, 68 participants in the intervention group and 63 in the control group were included for analyses. The MEDIHEALTH group had a significantly greater increase in the SEAMS score compared to the control group (p < 0.001) at one, three, six and twelve months post-intervention. There was also a significantly greater reduction in HbA1c in the MEDIHEALTH compared to the control group at one, three, six and twelve months post-intervention (p < 0.001). These improvements were mediated by enhancements in perceived behavioural control and knowledge about medications.Conclusions: The MEDIHEALTH may improve medication adherence and glycaemic control among Malay T2DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

After publication of the original article [1], the authors have notified us that there are changes to the primary outcome of the study, instrument, subject's inclusion criteria, the funding and acknowledgements. These changes were made during the recruitment of participants and after approved by the Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC), National Institutes of Health Malaysia, on 16th November 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...