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Coping strategies significantly influence psychological well-being, particularly in culturally diverse contexts such as Malaysia. While the BRIEF-COPE inventory is widely used to assess coping styles, no recent synthesis has examined how Malaysians across different populations use these strategies or how they relate to mental health outcomes. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the utilization of available evidence on coping strategies measured by the BRIEF-COPE in Malaysian populations and to synthesize evidence their association with psychological well-being outcomes. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across three electronic databases, Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect for studies published between 2019 and 2023. A total of 20 peer-reviewed articles were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A thematic synthesis approach was employed to integrate the findings. Three dominant coping themes were identified: problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidant coping. Problem-focused strategies, such as planning and active coping, were consistently associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and distress, particularly among healthcare workers and caregivers. Emotion-focused coping showed mixed outcomes; adaptive forms (e.g., acceptance, religious coping) were sometimes beneficial, while maladaptive forms (e.g., venting, self-blame) were associated with increased psychological distress. Avoidant coping was consistently linked to negative outcomes across all populations. Subgroup differences emerged based on occupation, age group, and COVID-19 context. The findings highlight the importance of addressing mental health through population-specific and culturally sensitive approaches in Malaysia. Emphasis should be placed on fostering problem-solving and resilience, reducing reliance on avoidant coping strategies, and recognizing culturally relevant forms of coping to support psychological well-being.
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