Integrated Rehabilitation and Holistic Poverty Reduction Model for Education (IRAH-PRIME): A Comprehensive Intervention Framework for Delinquent Students from Low-Income Families in East Coast Malaysia

Nurshahira Binti Ibrahim

Abstract


This study developed and validated the IRAH-PRIME (Integrated Rehabilitation and Holistic Poverty Reduction Intervention Model for Education) framework to address behavioral challenges among non-urban university students in Malaysia’s eastern states. Using the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM), expert consensus was obtained from a panel of ten professionals, including psychology officers and academic faculty with 3 to 30 years of experience. The study utilized a seven-point Likert scale questionnaire derived from a comprehensive literature review, with responses converted via triangular fuzzy numbers, followed by defuzzification and threshold distance analysis. All eight proposed intervention dimensions were accepted based on rigorous criteria (≥75% consensus, M ≥ 0.5, Avg d ≤ 0.2). Six constructs (75%) achieved 100% consensus, and two reached 90%. Defuzzification scores ranged from 0.849 to 0.983, with Family Support and Social Support receiving the highest endorsement (M = 0.983, Avg d = 0.031). Hierarchical prioritization ranked Psychological Support first, followed by Educational Support, Family Support, and Social Support. These results support integrated ecological-developmental theories, emphasizing the need to address multiple ecological levels simultaneously in behavioral interventions. The validated IRAH-PRIME framework provides educational institutions and policymakers with an evidence-based blueprint for culturally sensitive, holistic intervention programs, along with guidelines for phased implementation in resource-limited non-urban settings.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Abu Hassan, M. S. N., & Khairul Anwar, A. M. (2025). Youth drop out in education: Issues and factors of youth drop out in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Asian People Journal, 8(2), 221–243. https://doi.org/10.37231/apj.2025.8.2.863

Adler, M., & Ziglio, E. (1996). Gazing into the Oracle: The Delphi method and its application to social policy and public health. Jessica Kingsley Publisher.

Anuar, N. A., Nawawi, S. A., Muhamad Nor, A. N., Muhammad Jamil, R., Nawawi, R., Baistaman, J., & Ya'acob, S. H. (2024). Exploring the impact of agriculture and physical geography on poverty in the East Coast of Malaysia: A spatial analysis. BIO Web of Conferences, 131, Article 05024. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202413105024

Bayron, A. B. (2023). Challenging issues in rural secondary education. Sprin Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(03), 51-61. https://doi.org/10.55559/sjahss.v2i03.95

Beck, A. T. (2011). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development. Basic Books.

Bradshaw, C. P., Koth, C. W., Bevans, K. B., Ialongo, N., & Leaf, P. J. (2009). The impact of school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) on the organizational health of elementary schools. School Psychology Quarterly, 23(4), 462–473. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0012883

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Harvard University Press.

Budimlić, M., Muratbegović, E., & Halilović, H. (2024). Samoprijavljeno prestupništvo mladih u ruralnim sredinama Bosne i Hercegovine. Kriminalističke Teme, 24(1-2), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.51235/kt.2024.24.1-2.1

Chang, P.-L., Hsu, C.-W., & Chang, P.-C. (2011). Fuzzy Delphi Method for evaluating hydrogen production technologies. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 36(21), 14172–14179. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.05.045

Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2025). Statistik kemiskinan dan ketidaksamaan pendapatan Malaysia 2025. https://www.dosm.gov.my

Dishion, T. J., & Tipsord, J. M. (2011). Peer contagion in child and adolescent social and emotional development. Annual Review of Psychology, 62, 189–214. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.093008.100412

Ellison, C. G. (1991). Religious involvement and subjective well-being. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 32(1), 80–99. https://doi.org/10.2307/2136801

Hasson, F., Keeney, S., & McKenna, H. (2000). Research guidelines for the Delphi survey technique. Journal of Advanced Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.2000.t01-1-01567.x

Henggeler, S. W., Schoenwald, S. K., Borduin, C. M., Rowland, M. D., & Cunningham, P. B. (2009). Multisystemic therapy for antisocial behavior in children and adolescents (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

Hua, A. (2025). Educational policies and student performance in rural areas: A literature review of challenges and strategies in developing countries. International Journal of Social Science and Applied Technology, 1(3), 1-13.

Ibrahim, N., Zakariya, N., Sharif, T. I. S. T., Mahmud, M., Çetinceli, K., Yastıoğlu, S., & Yılmazer, T. (2025). Educational pathways to prevention: An interdisciplinary framework for understanding and addressing student delinquency in school environments. Environment and Social Psychology, 10(8), 3902. https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v10i8.3902

Institut Hal Ehwal Ekonomi dan Demokrasi Malaysia (IDEAS). (2017). Education in Malaysia: The present and the future. IDEAS.

Kuah, Y. Y., & Mohamad, Z. S. (2023). A case study on peer influence and peer pressure in juvenile delinquency. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(8), 379–392. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v13-i8/17440

Li, M. (2025). Analysis of the impact of the "Rural Teacher Support Program" policy on educational equity in China. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Global Politics and Socio-Humanities. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/2024.20355

Lipsey, M. W. (2009). The primary factors that characterize effective interventions with juvenile offenders: A meta-analytic overview. Victims & Offenders, 4(2), 124–147. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564880802612573

Luthar, S. S., Cicchetti, D., & Becker, B. (2000). The construct of resilience: A critical evaluation and guidelines for future work. Child Development, 71(3), 543–562. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00164

Majeed, M., Imran, K., & Ali, A. (2024). Understanding juvenile delinquency: Exploring theoretical frameworks and implications for intervention. Annals of Human and Social Sciences, 5(2), 383–389. https://doi.org/10.35484/ahss.2024(5-II)36

Masten, A. S. (2014). Global perspectives on resilience in children and youth. Child Development, 85(1), 6–20. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12205

Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2018). Garis panduan pengurusan murid tercicir. Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia.

Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2025a). Jawapan bukan lisan (bertulis) Soalan No. 61. Pemberitahuan Pertanyaan Bukan Lisan Dewan Negara. Malaysian Parliament.

Mohamad Taha Ijab, Muhammad Haiqal Herman, Nur Irdina Qhairunnisa Hafizul Azli, & Siti Nursyuhadah Baharim. (2025). Analisa keciciran akademik dalam kalangan pelajar SPM. Journal of Information System and Technology Management, 10(40), 476–488. https://doi.org/10.35631/JISTM.10400032

Mustapha, R., & Darusalam, G. (2017). Aplikasi kaedah Fuzzy Delphi dalam Kajian Sians Sosial. Penerbitan Universiti Malaya. Kuala Lumpur.

Noor Syafiza Ariffin, & Bity Salwana Alias. (2025). Hubungan antara amalan pengurusan keperluan murid oleh pengetua dengan tahap keciciran murid B40 di Selangor. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 10(6), Article e003436. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v10i6.3436

Norfarahzatul Asikin Zakari, Siti Mistima Maat, & Mohd Effendi Ewan Mohd Matore. (2022). Faktor penyumbang keciciran pelajar di Malaysia: Satu analisis sistematik. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(11), e001903. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v7i11.1903

Nur Faiqah Nasuha Muhd Zafrullah, & Zamri Mahamod. (2025). Faktor dan kesan keciciran murid sekolah rendah dalam mata pelajaran Bahasa Melayu: Satu sorotan literatur bersistematik. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Melayu, 15(2), 116–141.

Okoli, C., Pawlowski, S. D. (2004). The Delphi method as a research tool: an example,design considerations and applications. Information & Management, 42, 15-29.

Paraman, M., & Mohd Hussain, R. B. (2025). Keciciran pelajar India sekolah menengah di Selangor: Kesan terhadap pelajar, keluarga, masyarakat dan kerajaan serta cadangan penyelesaian [Secondary school dropouts among Indian students in Selangor: Impacts on students, families, society and the government, with suggested measures]. Kajian Malaysia, 43(2), 293–313. https://doi.org/10.21315/km2025.43.2.14

Philip, R. (2000). New Application for Delphi Technique, Annual “San Diego” Pfeifer & Company, Vol 2, 191.

Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon & Schuster.

Quimco, K. R. (2025). Sustaining needs over pursuing studies: A case study of dropout students receiving government financial aid. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 7(3), 1–13. https://www.ijfmr.com

Rogers, C. R. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist’s view of psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin.

Rogers, C. (1986). Carl Rogers on the Development of the Person-Centered Approach. Person-Centered Review, 1(3), 257-259.

Sforza, V. C., & Ortolano, L. (1984). Delphi forecasts of land use: Transportation interactions. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 110(3)(324). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-947X

Sinar Harian. (2025, April 18). Lebih 38 peratus murid tercicir dibuang sekolah [More than 38 percent of dropout students expelled from school]. https://www.sinarharian.com.my

Skenderidou, I., Leontopoulos, S., Stafylis, N., & Skenderidis, P. (2025). School dropout: Causes, consequences, and strategies for prevention. European Journal of Education Studies, 12(11), 176–196. https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v12i11.6279

Skulmoski, G. J., & Hartman, F. T. (2007). The delphi method for graduate research. Journal of Information Technology Education, 6(1), 1–21.

Smith, C., & Denton, M. L. (2005). Soul searching: The religious and spiritual lives of American teenagers. Oxford University Press.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society. The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

Yuniarti, P. (2024). The management of guidance and counseling teachers in addressing student delinquency at MTs Al-Iman Mukomuko. JTL: Journal of Teaching and Learning, 1(2), 149-163.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.