Introduction
The LPPKN Research Grant 2021–2023, or GP LPPKN 2021-2023 marked the first research grant initiative introduced by the National Population and Family Development Board. It was established to strengthen LPPKN’s role in advising the Government on matters related to population, family development and reproductive health through high-quality, evidence-based research.
The establishment of GP LPPKN was aligned with the LPPKN Strategic Plan 2016–2020 and was approved by the LPPKN Board of Directors in 2019. The grant was introduced as a strategic platform to stimulate the generation of new theories, concepts, ideas and innovations in the fields of population, family development and reproductive health. Applications were opened through the Malaysia Population Research Hub from 15 January to 15 February 2021, and the grant received 531 applications. Following technical screening and evaluation, 28 research projects were approved and awarded under the first GP LPPKN cycle. The research projects were implemented by researchers from local universities and institutions, covering three major themes: population, family development and reproductive health. The research period was originally set between six and twelve months, beginning on 1 November 2021, with several projects extended due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and movement control restrictions.
Key Outcomes and Achievements
The first GP LPPKN cycle produced significant research outputs and established a strong foundation for LPPKN’s research grant ecosystem. Overall, all grant recipients successfully completed their studies within the approved period. The 28 completed projects generated 28 research reports, 28 policy briefs, 29 indexed journal articles, 38 conference paper presentations, 11 awards, 12 copyright registrations, seven modules, one guidebook and three mobile application prototypes. These outputs reflect the strong practical value of GP LPPKN 2021–2023. The studies did not only contribute to academic knowledge, but also produced policy-relevant recommendations, intervention tools, modules, digital solutions and programme inputs that could be used by policymakers, programme planners, researchers, practitioners and community stakeholders.
The research findings strengthened the evidence base on key national issues such as delayed marriage, ageing, family well-being, long-term care, mental health, work-family conflict, digital parenting, family resilience, single fatherhood, reproductive health literacy, family planning communication and infertility. The policy briefs developed from these studies provided concise and actionable inputs to support decision-making, programme refinement and future intervention development. GP LPPKN 2021–2023 was a landmark initiative in LPPKN’s research journey. As the first research grant implemented by LPPKN, it successfully created a structured platform for local researchers to contribute directly to national population, family and reproductive health priorities. More importantly, it demonstrated how research can move beyond publication and become a practical instrument for strengthening policies, programmes and the well-being of families in Malaysia.
Objectives
The main objective of GP LPPKN 2021–2023 was to strengthen research capacity and generate policy-relevant evidence in LPPKN’s core areas of population, family development and reproductive health.
Specifically, the grant aimed to:
- Encourage local researchers to conduct strategic research in population, family and reproductive health;
- Generate new knowledge, theories, concepts and innovative solutions relevant to LPPKN’s mandate;
- Provide evidence-based inputs for policy formulation, programme development and intervention planning;
- Strengthen collaboration between LPPKN, universities, researchers and strategic partners;
- Produce research outputs that could support the development of policies, modules, programmes, guidebooks, applications and intellectual property;
- Position LPPKN as a key national research reference centre in population and family development.
Grant Recipients
Population Theme
- Dr. Lai Siow Li (Universiti Malaya)
The Changing Marriage Institution in Malaysia - Associate Professor Dr. Sarimah Shamsudin, (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia)
Investigation of Cognitive Abilities among Single Mothers in the B40 Population - Dr. Nurul Afidah Mohamad Yusof, ( Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman )
Modelling a Comprehensive Long-Term Care Insurance Plan for Societal Well-Being in Malaysia - Professor Dr. Che Zarrina Sa’ari, ( Universiti Malaya )
Design and Development of an Islamic Psychospiritual Therapy Workbook for Older Persons, Intervention and Training of Trainers for Carers - Associate Professor Dr. Melasutra Md Dali, ( Universiti Malaya )
Mobility Mapping of Older Persons - Professor Dr. Noran Naqiah Mohd Hairi, ( Universiti Malaya )
Psychological Distress, Coping Patterns and Social Support during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Older Persons in Malaysia - Professor Dr. Zulkefly Abdul Karim, ( Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia )
The Impact of Population Growth, Ageing and Health Status on Economic Growth in Malaysia - Dr. Zamira Hasanah Zamzuri, ( Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia )
The Integration of Direct and Indirect Factors to Enhance the Family Well-Being Index - Associate Professor Dr. Nor Azah Samat, ( Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris )
The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Family Planning Services in Selangor: Patterns and Geo-Demographic Profiles
Family Development Theme
- Professor Dr. Tengku Siti Meriam Tengku Wook, ( Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia )
Mental Health Assessment Model Based on Gamification Techniques - Associate Professor Dr. Rafidah Aga Mohd Jaladin, ( Universiti Malaya )
Development of a Psychoeducational Module to Empower B40 Youth Resilience and Family Functioning in the COVID-19 Era - Dr. Siti Noormi Alias, ( Universiti Putra Malaysia )
Exploring Work-Family Conflict Management while Working from Home - Dr. Shafizan Mohamed, ( International Islamic University Malaysia )
Enabling Digital Parenting Guidebook to Help Malaysian Parents Nurture Digitally Resilient Children - Dr. Siti Nubailah Mohd Yusof, ( Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia )
Fatherhood and Psychosocial-Spiritual Development of Children: Perspectives of Mothers, Fathers and Children towards the Development of a Fathering Programme Module - Professor Dr. Li Ping Wong, ( Universiti Malaya )
Healthy Parent-Youth Relationships during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Identifying Issues and Needs - Associate Professor Dr. Nurhazani Mohd Shariff, ( Universiti Utara Malaysia )
The Contributions of Vacations to Family Relationships and Well-Being: Development of a Family Vacation Structure Framework for Social Stability - Dr. Abdullah Sallehhuddin Abdullah Salim, ( Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman )
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Digital and Financial Well-Being of Low-Income Urban Families - Professor Dr. Low Wah Yun, ( Universiti Malaya )
Development and Feasibility of a Post-COVID Intervention Programme for Resilient Families in Malaysia - Professor Dr. Hadziroh Ibrahim, ( Universiti Utara Malaysia )
Mental Health among Adolescents: Implications of Environment, Education and Technology Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic - Associate Professor Dr. Ashinida Aladdin, ( Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia )
Issues and Challenges Faced by Single Fathers in Sustaining Their Lives in Malaysia - Associate Professor Dr. Norsiah Abdul Hamid, ( Universiti Utara Malaysia )
Elucidating the Association between Digital Parenting Style and Digital Resilience of Children in Malaysia
Reproductive Health Theme
- Associate Professor Dr. Norliza Ahmad, ( Universiti Putra Malaysia )
Effect of the Sexting Intervention Module Using the Prototype Willingness Model on Intention and Willingness to Sext among Undergraduate Students - Dr. Padma A. Rahman, ( Universiti Teknologi MARA )
Development of a Sexuality Module for Children with Special Needs - Dr. Nur Annizah Ishak, ( Universiti Malaya )
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Reproductive and Sexual Health among Married Women aged 15–49 Years - Dr. Nadeeya ‘Ayn Umaisara Mohamad Nor, ( Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia )
The Effectiveness of the RancangLah Digital Communication Application in Increasing Family Planning Utilisation among High-Risk Pregnant Women - Professor Dr. Noor Azimah Muhammad, ( Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia )
Bicara Kasih Module: Enhancing Parent-Adolescent Communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health among Malaysian Adolescents - Dr. Jastini Mohd Jamil, ( Universiti Utara Malaysia )
Analysis of Perception, Knowledge and Behaviour of Malaysian Adolescents on Reproductive and Sexual Health in Social Media using Sentiment Analysis - Professor Dr. Razinah Sharif, ( Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia )
Exploring Environmental Contaminants and Dietary Patterns among Reproductive-Age Women Experiencing Infertility
Key Outcomes
The first GP LPPKN cycle produced significant research outputs and established a strong foundation for LPPKN’s research grant ecosystem. Overall, all grant recipients successfully completed their studies within the approved period. The 28 completed projects generated 28 research reports, 28 policy briefs, 29 indexed journal articles, 38 conference paper presentations, 11 awards, 12 copyright registrations, seven modules, one guidebook and three mobile application prototypes. These outputs reflect the strong practical value of GP LPPKN 2021–2023. The studies did not only contribute to academic knowledge, but also produced policy-relevant recommendations, intervention tools, modules, digital solutions and programme inputs that could be used by policymakers, programme planners, researchers, practitioners and community stakeholders.
The research findings strengthened the evidence base on key national issues such as delayed marriage, ageing, family well-being, long-term care, mental health, work-family conflict, digital parenting, family resilience, single fatherhood, reproductive health literacy, family planning communication and infertility. The policy briefs developed from these studies provided concise and actionable inputs to support decision-making, programme refinement and future intervention development. GP LPPKN 2021–2023 was a landmark initiative in LPPKN’s research journey. As the first research grant implemented by LPPKN, it successfully created a structured platform for local researchers to contribute directly to national population, family and reproductive health priorities. More importantly, it demonstrated how research can move beyond publication and become a practical instrument for strengthening policies, programmes and the well-being of families in Malaysia.
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