Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed that changed the teaching and learning activities may add a psychological impact to the existing academic stress faced by university students. Past studies have associated low levels of psychological disorder with high religiosity and positive religious coping (RC). This study aimed to determine the level of psychological disorder among university students in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic and measure their association with religiosity and religious coping (RC). An online cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and June 2020 involving 450 students. The survey instruments consisted of sociodemographic proforma, Duke University Religious Index (DUREL) for religiosity, Brief RCOPE Scale for RC and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) for psychological disorder; 36% of the participants experienced psychological disorder. Younger age, being a Muslim, living in the Green/Yellow zone and higher negative RC were significantly associated with psychological disorder. Higher positive RC was found to be protective against psychological disorder. However, the level of religiosity had no significant association with psychological disorder. In conclusion, the level of psychological disorder among university students has been high during the pandemic. Measures and interventions focusing on positive RC and reducing negative RC are recommended to improve the psychological well-being.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has a global impact, affecting not just physical health and psychological well-being
Previous research from throughout the world had found that university students had a high prevalence of psychological disorders and mental health problems [3,4,5]
As university students are the country’s greatest assets, this study aims to determine their psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the factors that contributed to it, such as religiosity and religious coping, as religion is an important component of Malaysia’s social structure
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has a global impact, affecting not just physical health and psychological well-being. The changes and restrictions imposed have taken a significant toll on people’s mental health [1,2]. Previous research from throughout the world had found that university students had a high prevalence of psychological disorders and mental health problems [3,4,5]. A systematic review of 13 articles on Malaysian university students reported prevalence of stress and other psychological distresses up to 56% [6], higher than the general population’s prevalence of 29% [7]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cao et al observed that 25% of undergraduate medical college students in China experienced anxiety symptoms [8]. Being a student was reported to be a significant positive predictor for depression compared to other employment status during the COVID-19 pandemic [10,11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
