Communication Challenges to Modify Behaviour: A Study in Penang, Malaysia

Abstract

Communication challenges is seen as a major influencer of an individual’s behavior. Community for example single mother’s family must bear their own burdens and are more exposed to various challenges in daily life. Globalization is one of the reasons why the world is moving towards modernization. In such cases, single mothers, who are a minority, have been identified as having to deal with various challenges in daily life. Single mothers have to deal with various daily challenges such as depression, children's discipline problems and difficult changing economic environment. Recent studies have shown that these conditions have a direct impact on the well-being of adolescents in a community especially among single-parent families. Therefore, this study looked at communication patterns in Indian single-parent families and identified communication challenges between single mothers and their adolescents. This study also identifies the behavior and well-being of adolescents in single-parent families. A total of 110 respondents were involved in the study, respectively, single mothers and their adolescents. The findings of the study have found that communication patterns influence the well-being and behavior of adolescents among Indian community in Penang.

Keywords: Communication challenges, modify behavior

Introduction

The number of single mothers around the world is increasing over time (Wagstaff & McLuckey, 2017). In 2015, the United States was one of the developed countries with the highest number of single-parent families at 12 million, and 80 percent of such families were represented by single mothers (United States Census Bureau, 2015). Wagstaff and McLuckey (2017) also point out that such numbers prove that single mothers are more at risk for a life of poverty than single fathers.

In Malaysia, the number of single mothers is 235,240 out of a total of 13.9 million women (Malaysian Population and Housing Census Report, 2010). According to the census report, single mothers in this country are women who are divorced, widows, have been separated from their spouses forever, are unmarried and have children out of wedlock. Zakaria et al. (2017) also argues that single mothers face economic and social pressures due to rising cost of living. According to Yahaya (2008), single mother families are considered imperfect because they are not supported and led by fathers. Parents and parents are individuals who need to work together to create a perfect and stable family insurer

The phenomenon of single mothers in Malaysia should not be viewed as an individual problem but should be considered a problem that is difficult to overcome as the number grows daily (Ahmad & Ismail, 2010). This is particularly alarming as it has a negative impact on children's self-esteem and threatens family insecurity. According to Le and Miller (2013), single mothers who have no place to rely have to bear all the burdens of their own families, especially in financial matters.

Communication plays an important role in a family institution because it involves social interaction between family members and is closely linked in all aspects of life (Leila, 2017). Recent research by Pujasari (2008) shows that communication between single mothers and teenagers also plays an important role in preventing the divorce or separation of the couple from affecting their children's thinking. This is because in the same study, it is clear that interpersonal communication between a single parent and their child can change the child's negative perception of the cause of their parent's separation and thus build a willingness in them to accept that fact with a positive and open mind without affecting their existing relationships. Pujasari (2008) also noted in the same study that children who are unable to accept their parents' separation will face psychological and stress problems. Thus, interpersonal communication plays an important role because according to Tijani and Ogunbanwo (2008), adolescents in single-parent families who have psychological problems and who find it difficult to obtain moral support are more likely to engage in social problems than adolescents in the nuclear family.

Revised Family Communication Patterns (RFCP)

Communication within a family plays an important role in affecting how family members interact and influence their emotional and health well-being (Schrodt et al., 2008). According to Schrodt et al. (2008), communication patterns within a family are influenced by the position and level of suitability of each member of the family institution. Koerner and Fitzpatrick (2002) argue that family communication patterns are formed when family members share their social reality with each other. Communication within a family is directly influenced by two dimensions of communication namely compliance orientation and conversation orientation. Both orientations influence each other in affecting the communication of a family.

There have been several studies that have successfully used the Revised Family Communication Pattern (RFCP) instrument to identify communication patterns in a family at the same time to examine the interpersonal relationships between family members. For example, a study by Clark (2015) that used RFCP instruments was to identify patterns of communication and mental well-being among children and to examine their communication patterns with their parents. In this study, 262 families were used as a sample. Whereas Fam (2008) used RFCP instruments to study how adolescents in a family adapt to daily conversations with other family members. The hypothesis that this study was successful was that the risks borne by adolescent children are greater than that of children.

Young and Schrodt (2016) used the RFCP instrument to study the relationship between communication patterns and communication challenges faced by individuals with their family members and loved ones. The sample size used was 181 adolescents. The study showed that communication patterns affect the communication challenges individuals face with their family members. From this study, the first and third hypotheses in this study were constructed:

Ha1: Family communication patterns affect communication challenges between single mothers and their teenagers.

Ha5: Family communication patterns influence adolescents' behavior in single-parent families

Meanwhile, Osredkar (2012) used RFCP instruments to study the relationship between family communication patterns and the level of emotional intelligence of an individual. A total of 51 individuals were sampled from the northwestern United States. This study has found that communication patterns within a family are closely related to one another in influencing an individual's emotional intelligence.

In addition, Tomatani (2008) found that family communication patterns did not significantly influence the level of communication proficiency among international university students in Japan. A total of 145 students answered a questionnaire containing 53 questions and demonstrated that the level of communication proficiency was strongly influenced by the ethnic diversity of their peers. The relationship between the two variables becomes stronger over time.

Communication Pattern in Single Parent Family

According to Odenweller et al. (2013), a study has been conducted on the patterns of communication between single fathers and their sons in influencing gender ideologies. The findings of the study prove that the orientation of compliance in single-parent families influences masculine gender ideologies. Overall, Odenweller et al. (2013) have identified that single fathers need to be open-minded in sharing their opinions and should take their children into their decision-making process.

In addition, Pujasari (2008) conducted a study on communication patterns in single mothers in Bandung, Indonesia. The sample of the study was a divorced single mother. Studies have shown that single mothers practice democratic communication with other family members. Communication channels in most single-parent families are seen as pluralistic, with high levels of conversation orientation and low levels of compliance orientation. Single mothers are seen sharing all their opinions publicly with their children, and giving their children an opportunity to express themselves during the decision-making process. The study also revealed that the pattern of communication between a single mother and their child affects the child's well-being. Through this, the fourth hypothesis of this study was formed as follows:

Ha4: Family communication patterns between single mothers and adolescents influence the well-being of adolescents in a family.

Challenges faced by Single Mothers

Globalization is one of the reasons why the world is moving towards modernization. In such cases, single mothers, who are a minority, have been identified as having to deal with various challenges in daily life (Azizi-Khalkheili, 2008). Single mothers have to deal with various daily challenges such as depression, children's discipline problems and difficult changing economic environment (Khalijah, 2003).

In Malaysia, there are two main causes of single-parent family existence, namely the factors of husband death and divorce. Adolescents face many problems as a result of this problem and need school counseling assistance (Zill et al., 2002). In that study, adolescents from single-parent families were found to have poor disciplinary records at school. The study also found that adolescents face low levels of well-being when they do not have the opportunity to share their thoughts with their mother, which can also be said to be one of the communication challenges that single parents face. Therefore, the second and sixth hypotheses in this prospective study are:

Ha2: Communication challenges between single mothers and adolescents affect the well-being of adolescents in a family.

Ha6: Communication challenges between single mothers and adolescents influence adolescents' behavior in a family.

Studies by Gillman (1999) have found that single-parent emotional challenges also affect adolescents' well-being. The emotions of teenagers in a single family have been shown to depend entirely on the emotional state of their single mother. There are several findings that make up the study, for example, if a single mother is in a state of emotional distress, their children will feel the same way.

Jost et al. (2004) points out that most single mothers in Malaysia face financial difficulties in continuing their daily lives with their teenagers. This is because, single mothers have to bear the burden of family alone and have no place to rely. In fact, the rising standard of living on a daily basis makes it difficult for them to financially survive the rest of their lives.

What is particularly alarming is that there were more than 42% of single mothers who had teenage children living in poverty in 2010 and their voices were often ignored in social work research (Krumer-Nevo, 2008). Therefore, single mothers and adolescents were selected as respondents in this study so that the challenges faced by these minorities are highlighted.

Wellbeing of Adolescents in Single Mother Family

The well-being levels of adolescents in single or single-parent families are relatively low compared with adolescents in nuclear families (Avellar, 2007). According to Brown (2006), adolescents in single-parent families are often seen as having emotional problems, social problems at school, and being involved in drug abuse activities. Low levels of well-being are one of the leading causes of adolescents' social disruption (Cavanagh, 2008). Therefore, the third and fourth hypotheses in this study are as follows:

Ha6: The level of well-being of their children in single-parent families influences their behavior.

According to Manning and Lamb (2003), the well-being of adolescents in single-parent families is often affected by poverty and lack of space to communicate with their mothers. In the same study, adolescents were seen to be affected by the challenges faced by single mothers. One of the main problems of single mothers affecting teenagers is when single mothers have to raise their own children. According to Manning and Lamb (2003) single-parent families with lower parenting qualities are more at risk for their adolescents becoming involved in social problems. The general public also considers single-parent families a lame family because they cannot function as happy families.

In addition, a study by Afifi (2006) found that the well-being of adolescents in single-parent families as a result of divorce was significantly impaired. This is because, in the study, it has been shown that divorced women are more likely to experience emotional distress and depression than married women or unmarried women. The single mother was lonely and had no place to express her feelings. This will affect the emotional well-being of teens as there is no openness in communication between the teen and their single mother.

Adolescent Behavior in Single Mother Family

Vijayakumar et al. (2016) have found that family conflicts have a detrimental effect on their children. Divorce between parents causes many problems such as failure in education, unhealthy behavior in daily life and so on. There is a significant relationship between family conflict and children's behavior in their daily lives. Children from single parent families are seen as having a greater chance of being involved in social events than adolescents from other families.

In addition, according to Shoba (2009), child maltreatment depends on the category of a household, especially single family. The mental development of children in single-parent families is unhealthy and it is difficult for children to make rational decisions. The problem of discipline of teenagers from single-parent families at a glance is increasing today.

Problem Statement

Communication plays an important role in a family institution as it involves social interaction between family members and is closely related in all aspects of life (Leila, 2017). A recent study by Pujasari (2008) proved that communication between single mothers and teenagers also plays an important role so that the cause of divorce or separation of the couple does not affect the thinking of their children. This is because in the same study, it is clear that interpersonal communication between single mothers and their children is able to change the child's negative perception of the cause of separation of their parents and thus able to build a willingness in them to accept the fact with a positive and open mind without affecting their existing relationships. Pujasari (2008) also stated in the same study that children who cannot accept the separation of their parents will face psychological problems and stress. Thus, interpersonal communication plays an important role because according to Tijani and Ogunbanwo (2008), adolescents in single parent families who have psychological problems and who have difficulty obtaining moral support are more likely to engage in social problems than adolescents in the nuclear family.

A study by Pujasari (2008) directly highlights that verbal and non-verbal communication of a negative nature also affects the psychological well-being of their children. Beebe (1996) says that single mothers who are fond of using nonverbal communication to convey negative messages to their teenage children are more likely to build less harmonious family relationships. This is because, as has been explained based on the highlights of previous studies, single mothers who are busy working are unable to spend time together with their children and this will affect communication between the two parties.

Milevsky et al. (2007) argue that poor communication in a family is at high risk in shaping the attitudes of adolescents in a more negative direction. Therefore, the pattern of communication between single mothers and adolescent children should be studied as it is seen as one of the contributors to social problems among adolescents today. This is evidenced by Azri et al. (2016) who found that teenagers are more likely to be involved in gangsterism issues.

Research Questions

The research question of this study were per below:

What is the communication pattern between single mother and their teenage children?

What are the communication challenges between single mother and their teenage children?

What is the well-being stage of teenage children in single mother family

What is the attitude of teenage children in single mother family?

Purpose of the Study

This study evaluates aspects of communication patterns and communication challenges from the point of view of single mothers and adolescents themselves who are able to produce more comprehensive study findings. Therefore, the needs of adolescents in a community can be identified and this can help the government to take proactive measures by focusing comprehensive attention, especially on the personality development of adolescents from single families. This is also able to help single mothers to understand the thoughts and needs of their teenagers in order to create a healthier family environment. This study is able to help the Indian community to understand the social problems that occur among adolescents especially in the community itself. This can directly help them to work with each other especially in developing the teenagers who are already stuck in social symptoms as well as extending the help needed to support Indian single mother families.

Research Methods

In this study, communication patterns between Indian mothers and their adolescent children has been analyzed using the Revised Family Communication Pattern (RFCP) instrument introduced by Ritchie and Fitzpatrick (1990). The questionnaire has been constructed using Revised Family Communication Pattern (RFCP) instruments, Orphan Well-Being Tools (OWT) and items under the Deliquency Scale (Junger, 1997) as well as instruments from the Diener et al. (1998) study. The questionnaire was distributed to 110 respondents comprising of Indian single mothers and adolescents from the Indian parent group in Penang. The Likert scale will be used to measure responses from respondents, from Scale 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) for each statement in the survey form.

The questionnaire consisted of four sections for respondents to respond to: Part A: Demographic Information, Part B: Communication Patterns between Single Mothers and Adolescents Part C: Communication Challenges between Single Mothers and Adolescents and Part D: Levels of Child Well-Being adolescents in single-parent families, Part E: Behavior of adolescents in single-parent families. Items in the survey form are different for respondents.

The sampling method was used for the selection of respondents in the design of quantitative research in this study. According to Teddlie and Yu (2007), the sampling method aims to refer to the technique of selecting multiple units or cases as samples based on specific criteria. The total number of respondents was 110, consisting of 50 single mothers and 60 adolescents.

In this study, there are several criteria in the selection of respondents as per stated below:

i) Respondents are Indian single mother and reside in Penang.

ii) Respondents are single mothers with teenager children aged from 12 to 21

iii) Respondents are teenagers between the ages of 12 to 21.

iv) Respondents are teenagers living with their single mother in Penang

Findings

Demography of respondents

In this study, the respondents consisted of single mothers and adolescent children from single parent families. The adolescents who were respondents to this study were not only children of single mothers, but were also from single mothers from outside who did not respond to this study.

The respondents were 110, 50 (45.5 percent) were single mothers and 60 (54.5 percent) were teenagers from single mothers.

In terms of geographical background, the population of respondents including single mothers and adolescents was found to be high in Nibong Tebal with 19 (17.3 percent). Meanwhile, 17 respondents (15.5) were from Perai, followed by 13 (11.9 percent) from Simpang Ampat. Other respondents were concentrated in the towns of Ater Itam, Batu Ferringhi, Bukit Gambir, Jelutong, Juru, Headwaters, Terraced Swamps, Permatang Pauh, Sungai Bakap, Sungai Dua, and Bukit Gambir. The respondents were from across the island and in the island of Penang. Respondents consist of 14 cities, nine cities across the country and 5 cities on the island.

In terms of age information, the majority of single mothers are between the ages of 41 and 50, 28 (56 percent) and only two respondents (4 percent) are in the age group of 21-30 years. Meanwhile, the majority of adolescents were found to be in the 20-21 age group, with 20 respondents (33 percent), while the remaining 18 respondents (30 percent) were in the 16 to 19 age group. This indicates that single mothers between the ages of 41 and 50 have adolescents in the age group of 16 to 21 years.

Standard Deviation and Min

The min for conversation orientation is 4.10 with standard deviation of 0.83. While, the min for compliance orientation is 3.10 with standard deviation of 1.07. This clearly shows that majority of the teenagers agreed that they are given space to talk at home. For the communication challenges variable, the min is 3.56, with standard deviation of 0.95. State of well-being of teenagers at single-parent family can be said is satisfactory as the min if 3.92 with standard deviation of 1.03. This is followed by the behavioral of adolescents with min of 2.97 and standard deviation of 0.94. Table 1 shows the min and standard deviation for each variables used in this study.

Table 1 - Min and Standard Deviation
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Discussion on hypothesis

Hypothesis 1: Family communication patterns influence the communication challenges between single mothers and their adolescents

The findings in table 2 and 3 show that there is no significant relationship between family communication patterns and communication challenges between single mothers and adolescents. Findings from single mother respondents yielded a correlation strength of 0.148. This shows a relatively low relationship. Since the value of r = 0.897 is significantly greater than 0.05, this hypothesis is rejected. This means that family communication Beeb patterns do not affect the communication challenges between single mothers and their teenagers.

Furthermore, the findings from the survey of adolescents also yielded a low correlation strength of 0.111. Spearman's correlation test showed that there was no significant relationship between the two variables with a value of r = 0.444.

As the results of the Spearman correlation test showed insignificant relationships, it was concluded that there was no significant relationship between family communication pattern variables and communication challenges between single mothers and their adolescents.

The findings show that communication challenges between single mothers and their adolescents are not directly influenced by family communication patterns. This is in line with the findings of a recent study by Young and Schrodt (2016) who found that family communication patterns influence the communication challenges that exist between single mothers and their adolescents. In the study, it was found that family communication patterns influence communication challenges among family members.

Table 2 - Findings from Single Mother Perspective
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Table 3 - Findings From Teenage Children Perspective
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Hypothesis 2: Communication challenges between single mothers and adolescents affect the well-being of adolescents in a family

The findings in table 4 and 5 show that there is no significant relationship between the communication challenges between single mothers and adolescents and the well-being of adolescents in single-parent families. Findings from single mother respondents yielded a relationship strength of -0.51. It shows the opposite relationship. Since the value of r = 0.725 is significantly greater than 0.05, this hypothesis is rejected. This means that communication challenges do not affect the well-being of adolescents in single-parent families.

Furthermore, the findings from the survey of adolescents also yielded a low relationship strength of 0.101. Spearman's correlation test revealed that there was no significant relationship between the two variables with a value of r = 0.441.

Because the results of the Spearman correlation test showed no significant relationship, it was concluded that there was no significant relationship between the variables of communication challenges with the well-being of adolescents in single-parent families.

The findings show that direct communication challenges do not affect adolescents' level of well-being. This is in line with the findings of a recent study by Zill et al. (2002) who found that the challenges of communication between single mothers and adolescents did indeed affect the well-being of children not only at school but also at home.

Table 4 - Findings from Single Mother Perspective
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Table 5 - Findings from Teenager Perspective
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Hypothesis 3: The well-being levels of adolescents in single-parent families influence their behavior

The findings in table 6 and 7 show that there is no significant relationship between the level of well-being of adolescents and their behavior in Indian single-parent families. Findings from single mother respondents yielded a relationship strength of -0.90. This shows a relatively low relationship. Since the value of r = 0.534 is greater than 0.05, this hypothesis is rejected. This means that the well-being of adolescents does not influence their behavior in single-parent families.

Furthermore, the findings from the survey of adolescents also resulted in a low relationship strength of 0.159. Spearman's correlation test showed that there was no significant relationship between the two variables with a value of r = 0.225.

Because the results of the Spearman correlation test showed no significant relationship, it was concluded that there was no significant relationship between the variables of adolescents' level of well-being and their behavior. The findings show that adolescents' behavior is not directly affected by their well-being. This is contrary to the findings of a recent study by Cavanagh (2008) who found that the well-being of adolescents affected their social behavior.

Table 6 - Findings from Single Mother Perspective
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Table 7 - Findings from Teenage Perspective
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Hypothesis 4: Family communication patterns influence the well-being of adolescents in single-parent families

The findings in table 8 and 9 show that there is a significant relationship between family communication patterns and adolescent children's well-being in single-parent families. . Findings from single mother respondents yielded a correlation strength of 0.366. It shows a relatively high relationship. Since the value of r = 0.009 is smaller than 0.05, this hypothesis is accepted. This means that family communication patterns influence the well-being of adolescents in single-parent families.

Furthermore, the findings from the survey of adolescents also yielded a relationship strength of 0.193. Spearman's correlation test revealed that there was no significant relationship between the two variables with a value of r = 0.139.

The findings of this study suggest that the findings from single mothers prove that family communication patterns influence the well-being of adolescents in single-parent families and this is consistent with the findings of Pujasari (2008) that show that adolescents' well-being is influenced by family communication patterns.

Table 8 - Findings from Single Mother Perspective
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Table 9 - Findings from Teenager Perspective
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Hypothesis 5: Family communication patterns influence adolescents' behavior in single-parent families

The findings in table 10 and 11 show that there is a significant relationship between family communication patterns and their behavior in single-parent Indian families. . Findings from single mother respondents yielded a correlation strength of −0.316. It shows the opposite relationship. Since the value of r = 0.025 is smaller than 0.05, this hypothesis is accepted. This means that family communication patterns influence the behavior of adolescents in single-parent families.

Furthermore, the findings from the adolescents' survey results also yielded an inverse relationship strength of -0.23. Spearman's correlation test showed that there was no significant relationship between the two variables with a value of r = 0.77.

Based on the findings from the single mother survey, it was concluded that family communication patterns influence adolescents' behavior in single mothers. This is supported by a study by Clark (2015) who found that family communication patterns influence children's behavior in school.

Table 10 - Findings from Single Mother Perspective
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Table 11 - Findings from Teenager Perspective
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Hypothesis 6: Communication Challenges between single mothers and adolescents influence adolescent behavior in the family

The findings in table 11 and 12 show that there is no significant relationship between the communication challenges between single mothers and adolescents and adolescents' behavior in single-parent families. Findings from single mother respondents yielded a correlation strength of 0.113. This shows a relatively low relationship strength. Since the value of r = 0.436 is significantly greater than 0.05, this hypothesis is rejected. This means that communication challenges do not affect the behavior of adolescents in single-parent families.

Furthermore, the findings from the survey of adolescents also resulted in a low relationship strength of -0.157. Spearman's correlation test revealed that there was no significant relationship between the two variables with a value of r = 0.231.

Because the results of Spearman's correlation test showed no significant relationship, it was concluded that there was no significant relationship between the variables of communication challenges and the behavior of adolescents in single-parent families.

Findings suggest that direct communication challenges do not influence adolescent behavior. This is in line with the findings of a previous study by Zill et al. (2002) who found that the challenges of communication between single mothers and adolescents did indeed affect the behavior of the adolescents not only in school but also at home.

Table 12 - Findings from Single Mother Perspective
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Table 13 - Findings from Teenager Perspective
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From the focus groups discussions, themes appeared, and the following findings are organize around several themes such as sustainability, tourism sustainability, examples of sustainability and suggestions for awareness of sustainability.

Conclusion

The findings of the study indicate that family communication patterns do not influence communication challenges between Indian single mothers and their adolescents. Additionally, communication challenges between Indian single mothers and adolescents do not affect the level of well -being of Indian adolescents in single mother families. The findings of the study indicate that the level of well -being of Indian adolescents does not influence their behaviour in single mother families. In summary, teenagers from Indian single mother families are seen involved in gangster gangs, like to smoke and hang out in shopping malls and mostly involved in social issues.

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Publication Date

31 January 2022

eBook ISBN

978-1-80296-122-5

Publisher

European Publisher

Volume

123

Print ISBN (optional)

-

Edition Number

1st Edition

Pages

1-494

Subjects

Communication, Media, Disruptive Era, Digital Era, Media Technology 

Cite this article as:

Sadayan, S., Krishnan, M., & Ahmad, J. B. (2022). Communication Challenges to Modify Behaviour: A Study in Penang, Malaysia. In J. A. Wahab, H. Mustafa, & N. Ismail (Eds.), Rethinking Communication and Media Studies in the Disruptive Era, vol 123. European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences (pp. 53-67). European Publisher. https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2022.01.02.5