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Relationships between Psychopathology, Psychological Process Variables, and Sociodemographic Variables and Comparison of Quarantined and Non-Quarantined Groups of Malaysian University Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Nicholas Tze Ping Pang

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia)

  • Sandi James

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia
    Department of Social Work and Social Policy, School of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia)

  • Nelbon Giloi

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia)

  • Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia)

  • Azizan Omar

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia)

  • Mohammad Saffree Jeffree

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia)

  • Firdaus Hayati

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia)

  • Mei Ching Lim

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia)

  • Mohd Amiruddin Mohd Kassim

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia)

  • Jun Rong Ng

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had considerable psychological health impacts across the globe. This study aimed to establish the psychological process variables underlying psychopathology in Malaysian public university students during the national Movement Control Order (MCO). The aim was to craft structured and sustainable psychological support programs with these students. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving Malaysian university students subjected to the Malaysian MCO. Structured questionnaires measuring sociodemographic factors, measures of depression, anxiety, stress, psychological mindedness, psychological flexibility and state mindfulness were employed. A total of 515 students participated in this study with 12 students (2.3%) being quarantined at the time. Many of them scored ‘moderate’ or above on the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) with 20.2%, 25.0% and 14.2%, respectively. Quarantined students had higher depressive symptoms, with female students scoring significantly higher for depression, anxiety, and stress. Multiple regressions suggested gender and quarantine status predicted depression scores. However, only gender significantly predicted anxiety and stress. Psychological flexibility and psychological mindedness (Insight subscale) are significantly correlated with depression, anxiety, and stress, with psychological mindedness predicting all three psychopathologies. This study demonstrates that gender, psychological flexibility, and psychological mindedness are key demographic and psychological factors impacting students. Targeting psychological flexibility and psychological mindedness may enable timely prevention and intervention programs for our students to support their mental and physical health as we move through, and out of, the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicholas Tze Ping Pang & Sandi James & Nelbon Giloi & Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim & Azizan Omar & Mohammad Saffree Jeffree & Firdaus Hayati & Mei Ching Lim & Mohd Amiruddin Mohd Kassim & Jun Rong , 2021. "Relationships between Psychopathology, Psychological Process Variables, and Sociodemographic Variables and Comparison of Quarantined and Non-Quarantined Groups of Malaysian University Students in the ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9656-:d:634821
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cuiyan Wang & Riyu Pan & Xiaoyang Wan & Yilin Tan & Linkang Xu & Cyrus S. Ho & Roger C. Ho, 2020. "Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-25, March.
    2. Md Akhtarul Islam & Sutapa Dey Barna & Hasin Raihan & Md Nafiul Alam Khan & Md Tanvir Hossain, 2020. "Depression and anxiety among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: A web-based cross-sectional survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-12, August.
    3. Nicholas Tze Ping Pang & Gracyvinea Nold Imon & Elisa Johoniki & Mohd Amiruddin Mohd Kassim & Azizan Omar & Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim & Firdaus Hayati & Mohammad Saffree Jeffree & Jun Rong Ng, 2021. "Fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 Stress and Association with Sociodemographic and Psychological Process Factors in Cases under Surveillance in a Frontline Worker Population in Borneo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-18, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mohd Hanafiah Ahmad Hijazi & Mohammad Saffree Jeffree & Nicholas Tze Ping Pang & Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim & Azizan Omar & Fatimah Ahmedy & Mohd Hanafi Ahmad Hijazi & Mohd Rohaizat Hassan & Rozi, 2022. "Seroprevalence of COVID-19 and Psychological Distress among Front Liners at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah Campus during the Third Wave of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-13, June.
    2. Bentham Liang Sen Teh & Jin Kiat Ang & Eugene Boon Yau Koh & Nicholas Tze Ping Pang, 2023. "Psychological Resilience and Coping Strategies with Anxiety among Malaysian Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Gaia Sampogna & Maurizio Pompili & Andrea Fiorillo, 2021. "Mental Health in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Worldwide Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-5, December.

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