Perceived stress, avoidant coping, hopelessness, and psychological distress among undergraduate students during Covid-19 pandemic

Mohamed, Rafah and Hussin, Ruhaya (2021) Perceived stress, avoidant coping, hopelessness, and psychological distress among undergraduate students during Covid-19 pandemic. In: Psychology Research Symposium 2021, 6 Mar 2021, Kuala Lumpur. (Unpublished)

	PDF Restricted to Repository staff only Download (1MB) | Request a copy
	PDF (Slide Presentation) Restricted to Repository staff only Download (353kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationships between perceived stress, avoidant coping, hopelessness, and psychological distress among undergraduate students in Malaysia during COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was employed, and 113 participants were recruited via purposive sampling. Undergraduate students who were active during the pandemic from International Islamic University Malaysia (48.7%), Sunway University (10.6%), Taylor’s university (8.8%), and other Malaysian universities were approached while those diagnosed with any psychological disorder by trained professionals as stated in the DSM-5 were excluded from the study. The variables were measured using Perceived stress scale, Brief approach/avoidance coping questionnaire, Beck’s hopelessness scale, and General health questionnaire. Results: Results indicated that perceived stress, avoidant coping, and hopelessness were positively correlated with psychological distress. Limitations: As this was a cross-sectional survey, causality with the pandemic cannot be established. As different universities responded differently to the pandemic it could have influenced the strength of the relationship between variables, for example, IIUM began ERTL after a three-month break, whereas Taylor’s University a two-week break. Implications: Future research can examine whether perceived stress, avoidant coping, and hopelessness, may predict psychological distress longitudinally in this population. Support system developers can pilot test possible psychosocial interventions addressing stress, avoidant coping, and hopelessness to decrease the psychological distress for this population. Research Impact: This study adds to the knowledge on university students’ psychological health during the pandemic and aid in improving and developing universities’ support systems for the students and for future reference in counselling services centres handling undergraduate students.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Slide Presentation)
Additional Information:	5483/88858
Uncontrolled Keywords:	perceived stress; avoidant coping; hopelessness; undergraduate students; COVID-19 pandemic
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF511 Affection. Feeling. Emotion B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF636 Applied psychology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman > HQ2035 Life skills. Coping skills. Everyday living skills
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Psychology
Depositing User:	Dr. Ruhaya Hussin
Date Deposited:	03 May 2021 13:36
Last Modified:	03 May 2021 13:36
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/88858

Actions (login required)

View Item