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Structural Relationships between Environmental Factors, Psychological Health, and Academic Performance in Medical Students Engaged in Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Ola K. Taleb

    (Biostatistics and Research Methodology Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia)

  • Abdullah Sarimah

    (Biostatistics and Research Methodology Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia)

  • Ab Hamid Siti-Azrin

    (Biostatistics and Research Methodology Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia)

  • Kamarul Aryffin Baharuddin

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
    Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia)

  • Ali H. Abusafia

    (School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia)

Abstract

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and the enforced quarantine, universities in Malaysia were required to switch to an online class format. The resulting changes in the environmental factors of students may have had an impact on their psychological health and academic performance. This study aimed to determine the effects of environmental factors and the psychological health of students and examine their structural relationship with academic performance. A cross-sectional design with an online self-reported questionnaire was adopted, and the study was conducted among 207 undergraduate medical students at the Health Campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia. The environmental factors were measured using the lighting–noise–temperature scale and technology scale, while psychological health was assessed using the short version of the General Health Questionnaire and academic performance was determined based on Grade Point Average. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were used for analysis of the data. No significant relationship was found between environmental factors and academic performance, or between environmental factors and psychological health. Nonetheless, the hypothesized structural model provided scientific evidence of an inverse relationship between psychological health and academic performance. These findings could be helpful for academics, health policymakers, and health educators in terms of understanding and promoting psychological wellbeing among university students, as well as improving their academic performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Ola K. Taleb & Abdullah Sarimah & Ab Hamid Siti-Azrin & Kamarul Aryffin Baharuddin & Ali H. Abusafia, 2023. "Structural Relationships between Environmental Factors, Psychological Health, and Academic Performance in Medical Students Engaged in Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1494-:d:1035368
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Muhammad Faris Fauzi & Tengku Shahrul Anuar & Lay Kek Teh & Wai Feng Lim & Richard Johari James & Rohana Ahmad & Mawarni Mohamed & Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar & Farida Zuraina Mohd Yusof & Mohd Zaki Salleh, 2021. "Stress, Anxiety and Depression among a Cohort of Health Sciences Undergraduate Students: The Prevalence and Risk Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-14, March.
    2. Arturo Realyvásquez-Vargas & Aidé Aracely Maldonado-Macías & Karina Cecilia Arredondo-Soto & Yolanda Baez-Lopez & Teresa Carrillo-Gutiérrez & Guadalupe Hernández-Escobedo, 2020. "The Impact of Environmental Factors on Academic Performance of University Students Taking Online Classes during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-22, November.
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