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Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observational Evidence from Malaysia

Author

Listed:
  • Eugenie Sin Sing Tan

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

  • Shaun Ashley Fung Xian Chin

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

  • Manimeyapan S. Palaniappan Sathapan

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

  • Astrid Disimond Dewi

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

  • Farahnaz Amini

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

  • Normina Ahmad Bustami

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

  • Pui Yee Tan

    (Faculty of Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • Yu Bin Ho

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia)

  • Chung Keat Tan

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

Abstract

The interplay of physical, social, and economic factors during the pandemic adversely affected the mental health of healthy people and exacerbated pre-existing mental disorders. This study aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the general population in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study involving 1246 participants was conducted. A validated questionnaire consisting of the level of knowledge and practice of precautionary behaviors, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life—Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) was used as an instrument to assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results revealed that most participants possessed a high level of knowledge about COVID-19 and practiced wearing face masks daily as a precautionary measure. The average DASS scores were beyond the mild to moderate cut-off point for all three domains. The present study found that prolonged lockdowns had significantly impacted ( p < 0.05), the mental health of the general population in Malaysia, reducing quality of life during the pandemic. Employment status, financial instability, and low annual incomes appeared to be risk factors ( p < 0.05) contributing to mental distress, while older age played a protective role ( p < 0.05). This is the first large-scale study in Malaysia to assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the general population.

Suggested Citation

  • Eugenie Sin Sing Tan & Shaun Ashley Fung Xian Chin & Manimeyapan S. Palaniappan Sathapan & Astrid Disimond Dewi & Farahnaz Amini & Normina Ahmad Bustami & Pui Yee Tan & Yu Bin Ho & Chung Keat Tan, 2023. "Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observational Evidence from Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4046-:d:1079065
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    References listed on IDEAS

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