Determinants of Voting Intentions among Malaysian University Students: A Structural Equation Modeling approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI27.6813Keywords:
Voting Behavior, Young Voters, Malaysia, Political EngagementAbstract
This study investigated the determinants of voting behavior among young Malaysian voters using the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Theory of Planned Behavior. The study aims to identify the contributing factors that influence young voters' voting behavior. Findings indicated that candidate perception, party perception, subjective norms, persuasion techniques, and social network engagement significantly influenced young voters' intentions. However, this study found that political awareness had no significant impact. The study's respondents were 422, aged 18 – 30, from Universiti Teknologi MARA through an online survey. This insight may aid in developing strategies to engage and mobilize young voters effectively.
References
Akossou, A., & R., P. (2013). Impact of data structure on the estimators R-square and adjusted R-square in linear regression. International Journal of Mathematics and
Computation, 20, 84–93.
Al-Mohammad, S. M. (2017). The Impact of Social Websites over Jordanian Students’ Intentions of Active political Participation: An Application of Theory of Planned
Behavior. International Review of Management and Marketing, 7(3), 1–16.
Alhaimer, R. S. (2023). Unveiling the digital persona image: the influence of social media on political candidates’ brand personality and voter behaviour in Kuwait.
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02420-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02420-4
Apffelstaedt, A., Freundt, J., & Oslislo, C. (2022). Social norms and elections: How elected rules can make behavior (in)appropriate. Journal of Economic Behavior and
Organization, 196, 148–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2022.01.031 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2022.01.031
Azmi, N. M., & Chinnasamy, S. (2019). Selangor Young Voters Awareness and Motivation during GE14. Journal of Media and Information Warfare, 12(1), 1–31.
Baber, H. (2020). Intentions to participate in political crowdfunding- from the perspective of civic voluntarism model and theory of planned behavior. Technology in
Society, 63(April), 101435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101435 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101435
Becker, R. (2023). Voting behavior as social action: Habits, norms, values, and rationality in electoral participation. Rationality and Society, 35(1), 81–109.
https://doi.org/10.1177/10434631221142733 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10434631221142733
Bergan, D. E., Carnahan, D., Lajevardi, N., Medeiros, M., Reckhow, S., & Thorson, K. (2022). Promoting the youth vote: The role of informational cues and social
pressure. In Political Behavior (Vol. 44, Issue 4, pp. 2027–2047). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11109-021-09686-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11109-021-09686-x
Cantarella, M., Fraccaroli, N., & Volpe, R. (2023). Does fake news affect voting behaviour? Research Policy, 52(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2022.104628 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2022.104628
Chang Yeow, T., Pandian, S., & Jamir Singh, P. S. (2024). The impact of social media on the voting trend of Malaysian undergraduates. Asian Social Work Journal,
(4), e00304. https://doi.org/10.47405/aswj.v9i4.304
Channel News Asia. (2023, August 10). Malaysia’s state polls: Lower voter turnout could hurt PM Anwar’s unity coalition, say analysts.https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-state-election-lower-voter-turnout-hurt-anwar-unity-coalition-3690211
Coppock, A., Green, D. P., & Porter, E. (2022). Does digital advertising affect vote choice? Evidence from a randomized field experiment. Research and Politics, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/20531680221076901 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20531680221076901
Falcão, F., Sousa, B., Pereira, D. S. M., Andrade, R., Moreira, P., Quialheiro, A., Jalali, C., & Costa, P. (2023). We vote for the person, not the policies: a systematic review on how personality traits influence voting behaviour. In Discover Psychology (Vol. 3, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-022-00057-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-022-00057-z
Fieldhouse, E., Cutts, D., & Bailey, J. (2022). Who Cares If You Vote? Partisan Pressure and Social Norms of Voting. Political Behavior, 44(3), 1297–1316. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11109-020-09661-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11109-020-09661-y
Fryer, K., Delgado, A., Foti, T., Reid, C. N., & Marshall, J. (2020). Implementation of Obstetric Telehealth During COVID-19 and Beyond. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 24(9), 1104–1110. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-020-02967-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-020-02967-7
Gerber, A. S., & Rogers, T. (2009). Descriptive social norms and motivation to vote: Everybody’s voting and so should you. Journal of Politics, 71(1), 178–191. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022381608090117 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022381608090117
Glasford, D. E. (2008). Predicting voting behavior of young adults: The importance of information, motivation, and behavioral skills. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 38(11), 2648–2672. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2008.00408. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2008.00408.x
Glover, E. (2018). The Role of Social Media in Millennial Voting and Voter Registration.
Hall, H. (2019). Voting Behavior Among Young Adults: An Analysis of Youth Voters and how Behavioral Economic Concepts can be Applied to Increase Young Voter Turnout. Honors College Theses.
Haque, M. S., & Liza, S. A. (2019). Social Media on Participation of Young Generation in Electoral Politics: A Case Study. Asian Journal of Humanities and Social Studies, 7(2), 32–40. https://doi.org/10.24203/ajhss.v7i2.4770 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24203/ajhss.v7i2.4770
Iman Research. (2022). Election Sentiments Analysis of Malaysia’s 15th General Elections (GE-15). https://mykhilafah.com/bahaya-liberalisme-dan-cara-menghapuskannya/
Karch, J. (2020). Improving on Adjusted R-Squared. Collabra: Psychology, 6(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1525/collabra.343 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/collabra.343
Kasim, A. C., Omar, N. H., & Manap, J. (2023). Young Voters and Politics Based on Integrity and Leadership Ahead of the 15th GE. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(6). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v13-i6/17597 DOI: https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v13-i6/17597
Khanna, R., Kavookjian, J., Scott, V. (Ginger), Kamal, K. M., Miller, L.-A. N., & Neal, W. A. (2009). Using the theory of reasoned action to determine physicians’ intention to measure body mass index in children and adolescents. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 5(2), 170–181. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2008.06.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2008.06.006
Merdeka Center. (2022, June 17). Only 40% of Malay youth would vote if GE15 is held now, study finds. https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2022/06/17/only-40-of-malay-youth-would-vote-if-ge15-is-held-now-study-finds DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/cypn.2022.7.40
Moten, A. R. (2011). Changing Political Culture and Electoral Behavior in Malaysia. Asian Affairs, 38(1), 39–56. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23526579 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00927678.2010.548201
Nai, A., Aaldering, L., Ferreira da Silva, F., Garzia, D., & Gattermann, K. (2023). The dark side of the mood. Candidate evaluation, voter perceptions, and the driving role of (dark) personality traits. Electoral Studies, 86, 102715. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2023.102715 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2023.102715
Nb, E., & Hashim, G. (2017). Identifying the Influence Factors on the Intention to Vote among Youths in Rural Areas. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4172/2332-0761.1000292
Ong, E. (2020). Urban versus Rural Voters in Malaysia. Contemporary Southeast Asia, 42(1), 28–57. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26937783 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1355/cs42-1b
Otache, I., Alfa, I. P., & Ali, Y. (2023). Civic education and voting intentions among the electorate: the roles of attitudes towards voting behaviour and educational level. Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, 17(3), 387–398. https://doi.org/10.1108/TG-09-2022-0123 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/TG-09-2022-0123
Pandian, S. (2014). University students and voting behavior in General Elections: Perceptions on Malaysian political parties leadership. Asian Social Science, 10(18), 225–231. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v10n18p225 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v10n18p225
Poy, S., & Schüller, S. (2020). Internet and voting in the social media era: Evidence from a local broadband policy. Research Policy, 49(1), 103861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2019.103861 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2019.103861
Roberto, A. J., Shafer, M. S., & Marmo, J. (2014). Predicting substance-abuse treatment providers’ communication with clients about medication assisted treatment: A test of the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 47(5), 307–313. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2014.06.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2014.06.002
Satriadi, Y., Yusuf, S., & Ali, R. (2021). Understanding the Voter’s Behavior as an Effort to Increase Publics’ Political Participation in Indonesia. The International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v11-i2/9192
Sheafer, T. (2008). Charismatic Communication Skill, Media Legitimacy, and Electoral Success. Journal of Political Marketing, 7(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/15377850802063983 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15377850802063983
Sheafer, T., Shenhav, S. R., & Goldstein, K. (2011). Voting for Our Story: A Narrative Model of Electoral Choice in Multiparty Systems. Comparative Political Studies, 44(3), 313 – 338. https://doi.org/10.1177/0010414010384372 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0010414010384372
Shukri, M., Jones, F., & Conner, M. (2022). Theory of planned behaviour, psychological stressors and intention to avoid violating traffic rules: A Multi-Level modelling analysis. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 169, 106624. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2022.106624 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2022.106624
Sin, C. S., & Rochelle, T. L. (2022). Using the theory of planned behaviour to explain hand hygiene among nurses in Hong Kong during COVID-19. Journal of Hospital Infection, 123, 119–125. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2022.01.018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2022.01.018
Slomczynski, K., & Shabad, G. (2012). Perceptions of political party corruption and voting behaviour in Poland. Party Politics, 18(6), 897–917. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354068810393266 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1354068810393266
Suttmann-Lea, M., & Merivaki, T. (2023). The Impact of Voter Education on Voter Confidence: Evidence from the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy, 22(2), 145–165. https://doi.org/10.1089/elj.2022.0055 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/elj.2022.0055
The Straits Times. (2024, March 6). Almost 90% of young voters unaware of current political developments: Malaysian survey. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/almost-90-of-young-voters-unaware-of-current-political-developments-malaysian-survey
Tseng, T. H., Wang, Y.-M., Lin, H.-H., Lin, S., Wang, Y.-S., & Tsai, T.-H. (2022). Relationships between locus of control, theory of planned behavior, and cyber entrepreneurial intention: The moderating role of cyber entrepreneurship education. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(3), 100682. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2022.100682 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2022.100682
Washida, H. (2023). Voting behaviour after the collapse of a dominant party regime in Malaysia: ethno-religious backlash or economic grievances? The Round Table, 112(3), 249–272. https://doi.org/10.1080/00358533.2023.2219524 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00358533.2023.2219524
Welsh, B. (2018). “Saviour” Politics and Malaysia’s 2018 Electoral Democratic Breakthrough: Rethinking Explanatory Narratives and Implications. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 37(3), 85–108. https://doi.org/10.1177/186810341803700305 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/186810341803700305
Wherry, R. J. (1931). A New Formula for Predicting the Shrinkage of the Coefficient of Multiple Correlation. The Annals of Mathematical Statistics, 2(4), 440–457. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2957681 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1214/aoms/1177732951
Yang, X., Zhou, X., & Deng, X. (2022). Modeling farmers’ adoption of low-carbon agricultural technology in Jianghan Plain, China: An examination of the theory of planned behavior. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 180, 121726. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121726 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121726
Zulkifli, N., Omar, S. K., Johari, N. F., Hassan, M. S., & Mohamad Rosman, M. R. (2021). Pengaruh Media Baru dan Penglibatan Politik Belia. Advances in Humanities and Contemporary Studies, 2(2), 63–77.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nursyahida Zulkifli, Mohamad Rahimi Mohamad Rosman, Wan Nurul Basirah Wan Mohamad Noor, Muhammad Syafiq Hassan, Nor Farizah Johari, Siti Nor Adawiah Hussin

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.