PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

In recent years, Malaysia has seen a significant increase in enrolment in postgraduate programs as part of the government's efforts to advance into a developed nation status by developing a skilled talent pool of scientists and researchers. However, despite the increasing trend of mental health issues among youths in Malaysia, the psychological well-being of postgraduate students has received limited attention in research and literature. This review paper provides a contemporary overview of the state of mental health in Malaysia to contextualise the psychological challenges faced by students in Malaysian universities. The article also highlights the lack of research on the psychological well-being of postgraduate students in Malaysia, which has led to a limited understanding of how this population is affected by their well-being. The article also discusses evidence from previous studies to illustrate how different aspects of psychological well-being are essential for not only academic success but also physical and mental health for postgraduate students. The article argues that more research involving a wider range of methods is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the psychological well-being of the wider postgraduate student population in Malaysia. Additionally, the paper discusses several implications for various stakeholders in higher education institutions to take appropriate action in promoting a greater sense of psychological well-being among postgraduate students on campus.