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Psychological distress, fear and coping among Malaysians during the COVID-19 pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmed Suparno Bahar Moni
  • Shalimar Abdullah
  • Mohammad Farris Iman Leong Bin Abdullah
  • Mohammed Shahjahan Kabir
  • Sheikh M Alif
  • Farhana Sultana
  • Masudus Salehin
  • Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam
  • Wendy Cross
  • Muhammad Aziz Rahman

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has enormously affected the psychological well-being, social and working life of millions of people across the world. This study aimed to investigate the psychological distress, fear and coping strategies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors among Malaysian residents. Methods: Participants were invited to an online cross-sectional survey from Aug-Sep 2020. The study assessed psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, level of fear using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and coping strategies using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to adjust for potential confounders. Results: The mean age (±SD) of the participants (N = 720) was 31.7 (±11.5) years, and most of them were females (67.1%). Half of the participants had an income source, while 216 (30%) identified themselves as frontline health or essential service workers. People whose financial situation was impacted due to COVID-19 (AOR 2.16, 95% CIs 1.54–3.03), people who drank alcohol in the last four weeks (3.43, 1.45–8.10), people who were a patient (2.02, 1.39–2.93), and had higher levels of fear of COVID-19 (2.55, 1.70–3.80) were more likely to have higher levels of psychological distress. Participants who self-isolated due to exposure to COVID-19 (3.12, 1.04–9.32) and who had moderate to very high levels of psychological distress (2.56, 1.71–3.83) had higher levels of fear. Participants who provided care to a family member/patient with a suspected case of COVID-19 were more likely to be moderately to highly resilient compared to those who did not. Conclusion: Vulnerable groups of individuals such as patients and those impacted financially during COVID-19 should be supported for their mental wellbeing. Behavioural interventions should be targeted to reduce the impact of alcohol drinking during such crisis period.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed Suparno Bahar Moni & Shalimar Abdullah & Mohammad Farris Iman Leong Bin Abdullah & Mohammed Shahjahan Kabir & Sheikh M Alif & Farhana Sultana & Masudus Salehin & Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam &, 2021. "Psychological distress, fear and coping among Malaysians during the COVID-19 pandemic," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0257304
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257304
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yeli Wang & Monica Palanichamy Kala & Tazeen H Jafar, 2020. "Factors associated with psychological distress during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the predominantly general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(12), pages 1-27, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Asadullah, M. Niaz & Tham, Eric, 2023. "Learning and happiness during Covid-19 school closure in urban Malaysia," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    2. Grace B. Yu & Najung Kim, 2021. "The Effects of Leisure Life Satisfaction on Subjective Wellbeing under the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Stress Relief," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-12, November.
    3. Nur Iwana Abdul Taib & Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar & Nazirah Azman & Mohammad Farris Iman Leong Bin Abdullah & Nurul Ain Mohamad Kamal & Azlin Baharudin & Muhammad Najib Bin Abdullah & Suresh Kumar Chidam, 2023. "Stigma, Sociodemographic Factors, and Clinical Factors Associated with Psychological Distress among COVID-19 Survivors during the Convalescence Period: A Multi-Centre Study in Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-13, February.

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