Issues and Factors of Problematic Families in Malaysia
Mohd. Taib Dora, Noor Baiduri Abd Halim

Abstract
This paper work discusses four current and main issues faced by family institutions in Malaysia, namely single family, divorce, parents with children involved with juvenile cases and domestic violence or abuse (child and spouse abuse). Stratified random sampling of 963 problematic families was chosen from eight districts in one of the many states in Malaysia which is Johor. Contributing factors to problematic families are also identified such as economy, urbanisation, employment, communication and value change. This study has employed the questionnaire and data analysis approach that used the percentage and the highest mean score. The research findings have shown the economy factor as the dominant factor for almost all family problem issues, followed by the factors of unemployment, communication, urbanization and value change. This study also highlights a few programme suggestions to overcome the problems and to strengthen the family institutions such as family and religious education, recreational programme, counseling centre, community trade centre, site visit and parenting programme.

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