The Relationship of Religious Appreciation with Family Functionality Among Malaysian Secondary School Students:

A Cross-Sectional Study

  • Mohd Lokman Sapiee Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah, Perak https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7014-5416
  • Ismail Naim Abdullah Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah, Perak
  • Mohd Syarifuddin Jamaludin Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah, Perak
  • Mohamad Irfan Mohamad Zabidi Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah, Perak
  • Nurshahira Ibrahim Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0870-8471
  • Muhammad Shukri Mohd Khalil Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin
  • Muhammad Rozaidi Ahmad Romil Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah, Perak
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24191/gading.v29i1.668
Keywords: religious appreciation, family functionality, secondary school students Malaysia, SmartPLS

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between religious appreciation and family functionality among secondary school students in Malaysia. Despite the importance of both religion and family in Malaysian society, limited empirical research has explored how religious appreciation influences family functioning, particularly among adolescents. Using a cross-sectional research design, data were collected through questionnaires administered to 250 secondary school students from three educational institutions in Perak, Malaysia. Data analysis was conducted using SmartPLS 3.0, which allowed for simultaneous analysis of measurement models through path analysis. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between religious appreciation and family functionality (β=0.334, t=6.459, p<0.05), with religious appreciation contributing 10.5% to the variance in family functionality. Further analysis confirmed the model’s predictive relevance (Q²=0.058) and an appropriate effect size (f²=0.117). These results suggest that religious appreciation serves as an important predictor of family functionality among Malaysian adolescents, though the moderate R² value indicates that other factors also contribute to family functioning. The study provides valuable insights for educational policymakers, religious educators, and family counselors, highlighting the potential benefits of incorporating religious appreciation elements in programs aimed at strengthening family functionality among adolescents. Future research should explore additional variables that might influence this relationship and investigate potential mediating or moderating factors.

Published
2026-03-03
Issue
Vol 29 No 1 (2026): Gading Journal for the Social Sciences
Section
Article/Paper

Copyright (c) 2026 Gading Journal for the Social Sciences (e-ISSN 2600-7568)

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