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The Unique Role of Hope and Optimism in the Relationship between Environmental Quality and Life Satisfaction during COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Walton Wider

    (Faculty of Business and Communication, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia)

  • Nasehah Mohd Taib

    (Faculty of Business and Communication, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia)

  • Mohd Wafiy Akmal Bin Ahmad Khadri

    (Faculty of Business and Communication, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia)

  • Foon Yee Yip

    (Faculty of Business and Communication, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia)

  • Surianti Lajuma

    (Faculty of Business and Communication, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia)

  • Prasath A/L Punniamoorthy

    (Faculty of Business and Communication, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia)

Abstract

COVID-19 in Malaysia has significantly affected the higher education system of the country and increased the level of distress among university students. Empirical evidence proposed that environment quality is associated with university students’ life satisfaction during COVID-19. It was found that hope and optimism are linked with greater life satisfaction in general. Although past literature has reported the effects of hope and optimism on life satisfaction, there are limited studies examining the underlying mechanism among Malaysian private university students. Therefore, the current study offers the preliminary understanding of the intervening role of hope and optimism on the relationship between environmental quality and life satisfaction among private university students in Malaysia. A total of 133 private university students in Malaysia were recruited through homogenous convenience sampling. Partial least square structure equation modeling (SmartPLS) was used to analyze the mediation models. The results revealed that only hope mediated the relationship between environmental quality and life satisfaction, but not optimism. Hence, it is proposed that mental health providers should focus on providing hope-related interventions to university students in confronting COVID-19 challenges and ultimately improving life satisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Walton Wider & Nasehah Mohd Taib & Mohd Wafiy Akmal Bin Ahmad Khadri & Foon Yee Yip & Surianti Lajuma & Prasath A/L Punniamoorthy, 2022. "The Unique Role of Hope and Optimism in the Relationship between Environmental Quality and Life Satisfaction during COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:7661-:d:845610
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Rehdanz, Katrin & Maddison, David, 2008. "Local environmental quality and life-satisfaction in Germany," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(4), pages 787-797, February.
    3. Sheela Sundarasen & Karuthan Chinna & Kamilah Kamaludin & Mohammad Nurunnabi & Gul Mohammad Baloch & Heba Bakr Khoshaim & Syed Far Abid Hossain & Areej Sukayt, 2020. "Psychological Impact of COVID-19 and Lockdown among University Students in Malaysia: Implications and Policy Recommendations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-13, August.
    4. Necmi K. Avkiran & Christian M. Ringle (ed.), 2018. "Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling," International Series in Operations Research and Management Science, Springer, number 978-3-319-71691-6, September.
    5. Gyula Kothencz & Ronald Kolcsár & Pablo Cabrera-Barona & Péter Szilassi, 2017. "Urban Green Space Perception and Its Contribution to Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-14, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Walton Wider & Mei Xian Lim & Ling Shing Wong & Choon Kit Chan & Siti Sarah Maidin, 2022. "Should I Help? Prosocial Behaviour during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-10, December.

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