Anxiety and its Associated Factors among Bumiputera Students in A Public University During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still infecting the world population even after mass vaccination programs are being conducted by most countries. Countries in the world have their own measures to curb and control the spread of the virus. Both the COVID-19 pandemic and measures of its control have negatively affected the mental health of the citizens. Among the affected citizens are the university students who are facing great challenges due to both pandemic and their academic lives. This study aimed to investigate anxiety and its associated factors among Bumiputera students in a public university. The online questionnaire was distributed via Google form from 13th August 2021 until 12th September 2021. Descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the anxiety levels among Bumiputera students. Independent-samples t-test or one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) was conducted to determine which socio-demographic characteristics (academic characteristics, psychosocial characteristics, open and distance learning (ODL) challenges, and COVID-19 related factors) were significantly associated with anxiety. The anxiety levels of Bumiputera students differed significantly by gender, state region of family residence, subject of study, and current semester status. In comparison to students who did not experience the situations, students who experienced unstable internet, an abundance of assignments, delays in submitting assignments due to internet access, shared laptops with family members, computer crash issues during ODL, insufficient computer competency, insufficient preparation for ODL, problems catching up on difficult online courses, difficulty of covering difficult online courses, inconducive environment for ODL, financial difficulties, and family commitment had statistically significant higher anxiety. Worries about COVID-19's impact on future career, barriers to interaction with lecturers, decreased social interaction, and depressive thoughts had a significant effect on anxiety. The findings also revealed statistically significant differences in anxiety across quarantine experience, close family infected with COVID-19, and sleep problems.