Rozmi Ismail

The role of personality and social support in health-related quality of life in chronic kidney disease patients

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is commonly associated with various negative health outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of personality and social support on health-related quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is the quality of life studied in relation to health, and it provides important information of patients’ coping with their health issues. Method Participants comprised of 200 patients experiencing various stages of chronic kidney disease. All participants completed the Short-Form 36 (SF-36), Big Five Inventory (BFI) and the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support questionnaires. Results Participants consisted of 108 males (54.0%) and 92 females (46.0%) with the mean age of 59.3 years (SD 14.5). Results showed that higher levels of extraversion and lower perceived affectionate social support were associated with higher physical HRQoL, whereas higher levels of neuroticism were associated with poorer mental HRQoL. Conclusion The current study found that certain personality traits, namely extraversion and neuroticism, were found to be associated with HRQoL. In addition, affectionate social support was also associated with higher HRQoL. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the personality of CKD patients, as well as the type of social support that they have, in planning interventions to improve their health outcomes.

Peranan Program Keagamaan Terhadap Pemulihan Konsep Kendiri Banduan Wanita di Malaysia

According to the statistics of Malaysian Prisons Department (MPD), women offender population is increasing from year to year (in 2011; 8,230 people, in 2012; 8,774 people, in 2013; 11,221 people). Some studies showed, the tendency to take action deviating is associated with an individual self-concept. In the meantime, the MPD has developed a recovery module to prisoners. Among the major modules implemented are modules religious. Consequently, the study was conducted to identify the current state of the self-concept of women offenders and identify the role of religious programs on the recovery of their self-concept. Basic Scale Questionnaire Religious Values Devian (BRVSD) was used to determine the extent of respondents religiosity and Six Factor Self Concept Scale (SFSCS) was used to determine the state of their self-concept. A total of 141 women offenders involved in the study. The results showed a recovery program through religious approach be able to influence self-concept of women offenders. Accordingly, high religious understandingand strength of faith as well as great implementation of worship and shari`ah can develop more positive selfconcept of women offenders.