PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES: A STUDY ON INDIGENOUS GROUPS AMONG URBAN AND RURAL YOUNG ADULTS IN SARAWAK
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UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK
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Social support has been studied as a common buffer against negative mental health outcomes. However, there is a lack of understanding of the relationship between indigenous populations in Sarawak. This quantitative study aims to study perceived social support and mental health outcomes among young adults in indigenous populations, with a focus on studying group differences between indigenous groups (Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau and Orang Ulu), and residential types such as urban and rural dynamics. Utilising a cross-sectional survey design, the study yielded 161 respondents aged 20 to 29, predominantly female and single, with a high educational background. Perceived social support was measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS-12) meanwhile mental health outcomes were measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), where both scales were administered in English. Results indicated a significant negative correlation between perceived social support and mental health outcomes, r(159) = -.364, p < 0.01. Meanwhile, no significant differences were found across different indigenous groups or between urban and rural settings. These findings highlight the universality of the relationship between perceived social support and mental health outcomes, which is important in understanding health outcomes in applied settings such as mental health interventions. The study was limited by a small sample size and limited generalizability of the findings. Further research should focus on longitudinal studies, mixed-method approaches, the development and usage of locally validated scales, and community-based participatory research. This research contributes to a growing body of indigenous knowledge in understanding the socio-cultural determinants of mental health in diverse communities.