International Journal of Business and Social Science

ISSN 2219-1933 (Print), 2219-6021 (Online) DOI: 10.30845/ijbss

The Factor of Religiousness in the Spirit of Unity among Adolescents Living in Malaysia Community
Zaizul Ab Rahman, Jaffary Awang, Abdull Rahman Mahmood Ahmad Sunawari Long, Indriaty Ismail, Tengku Rohana Tengku Musa

Abstract
The religious element in the „spirit of unity‟ is an important element that maintains harmony and peace among the multiracial society in Malaysia. Hence, this article aimed to identity the factors that influence the religious element in the „spirit of unity‟ among adolescents living in community housing areas in Malaysia. This study had used a quantitative-based cross-sectional survey framework involving 244 adolescents as respondents living in three community housing areas, namely the Desa Rejang, Pantai Ria and Seri Pantai community housing areas. The data were analysed using the descriptive test and the multiple regression analysis using a stepwise method. The descriptive analysis showed that the majority (59.8%) of adolescents living in these community housing areas had a moderate level of religiousness that needed enhancement. The multi-regression analysis found that the „self-health‟ factor (β=.539, p<.05) was the main indicator that influenced the religious element in the „spirit of unity‟ among adolescents. Whereas the combination of „self-health‟ (β=.405, p<.05) and „pro-social behaviour‟ (β=.289, p<.05) contributed to 6.6% extra changes to „spirit of unity‟. The „neighbourly relations‟ and „Love Malaysia spirit‟ factors had contributed 3.1% and 1.4% variance, respectively, towards the „spirit of unity‟ factor. The combination of all these four predicting factors had contributed 40.1% variance towards the religiousness element in the „spirit of unity‟ among adolescents in the PPR areas. The findings render positive implications to interested parties who prepare comprehensive strategic plans aimed at enhancing programs that build the religiousness element in the „spirit of unity‟ among residents, especially adolescents, living in community housing areas in Malaysia.

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