Modern Progress and Psychological Well-Being in Malaysia: Understanding the Paradox
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E7/2026-31Keywords:
digital society, Islamic spiritual ethics, Malaysia, modern progress, psychological well-beingAbstract
Economic, technological and digital advancement is commonly associated with improvements in quality of life. Recent mental health trends in Malaysia, however, suggest a more complex reality. Material progress has not necessarily been accompanied by comparable improvements in psychological well-being. This study examines the paradox of modern progress and its implications for psychological well-being in the Malaysian context. A qualitative document analysis was conducted using peer-reviewed journal articles, government reports, policy documents and selected Islamic primary sources published between 2000 and 2026. Content analysis, thematic analysis and conceptual synthesis were employed to identify recurring patterns across the literature. The analysis identified three interrelated manifestations of the paradox, namely lifestyle stress, digital social comparison and declining social relationship quality. These findings suggest that such challenges emerge when economic and technological development advances more rapidly than the capacity of individuals and social institutions to adapt. Contemporary sociology and Islamic spiritual ethics are employed as complementary analytical lenses to provide a more comprehensive understanding of this relationship. The principal contribution of the study is the development of an integrated conceptual framework that brings together social, psychological and spiritual dimensions to explain the relationship between modern progress and psychological well-being in Malaysia. The findings also suggest that assessments of national progress should extend beyond economic and technological performance to include psychological and social well-being.
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