Association of Low Perceived Social Support with Emotional Disturbances among Undergraduate Students of Faculty of Nursing in Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: Social support plays an important role in maintaining psychological well-being of students. Nursing students are subjected to a variety of stressors during their study and level of perceived social support is one of these factors which may precipitate to emotional disturbances in the form of depression, anxiety and stress which may affect students’ academic performance, physical health and quality of life. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the social support among nursing students and its association with depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. Methodology: A sample of 174 nursing students from International Islamic University Malaysia participated in this study. Depression Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess the emotional disturbances in the form of depression, anxiety and stress (DAS) symptoms. The multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) was used to measures perceived social support. Results: The mean score of depression for all students was at mild level (11.47), mean anxiety score was at moderate level (14.77) while mean stress score was at normal level (14.76). Majority of nursing students scored high social support. No significant differences between the gender and age of students in relation to social support. The social support is negatively associated and correlated with depression among nursing students. Conclusion: Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress are existed among nursing students which need to be early detected. The social support is negatively associated and correlated with depression among nursing students. No significant differences between the genders in relation to perceived social support.