The Impact of Movement Control Order (MCO) on Mental Health Status among University Students in Malaysia

Riza Effendi, Nur Ilyana (2020) The Impact of Movement Control Order (MCO) on Mental Health Status among University Students in Malaysia. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text FPSK2 2020 33.pdf Download (1MB)

Abstract

The implementation of movement control order (MCO) during a pandemic crisis has its own advantages and disadvantages. The benefits that a population can get from MCO are the spreading of the COVID-19 can be curbed and the number of cases can be reduced per day. However, it can also cause a bigger impact on the population as they need to adapt with the “new normal” to continue their routine. Although some people may have no issue in adapting to this “new norm”, some will feel the pressure to change from their old habits and lifestyle to the new ones. This may lead to an increasing level of stress, anxious and depressed that later affect their mental health status. These factors may affect several age groups in several sectors such as education, industry and healthcare. Despite these broadened effects, this research will focus more on the university students in the education sector. Moreover, the coping mechanisms in students vary according to background and are more dependent on the lifestyle as well as help from others. The moving from face to face to online lecture with assignments and difficulties in understanding the lectures may alleviate the stress and anxiety. Objective: To determine the relationship between the movement control order (MCO) and the levels of stress, anxiety and depression among university students in Malaysia. Methodology: This quantitative study used a cluster random sampling method in choosing the students. Three instrument packages that were used in this study are Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The questionnaire was distributed through an online platform, which involved 493 respondents of university students from the north to south of Malaysia. Results and Discussion: Majority of the respondents are female students with age range within 20 to 23 years old, which involves both local and international students and currently studying for a degree. Results indicated that 8% of the respondents were under the high stress category, 87% of the respondents having moderate stress while 5% of respondents were in the low stress category. For the anxiety level, 14% of the respondents were experiencing severe anxiety, 20% moderate anxiety 45% mild anxiety and 21% respondents with minimal anxiety. For depression level, 11% of respondents having severe depression, 18% of respondents are having moderately severe depression, 26% have moderate depression, 21% are having mild depression, while 24% are having mild depression. The respondents show the associations between MCO and the levels of stress, anxiety and depression with p = <0.001. Conclusion: There is a significant association between the movement control order (MCO) and the levels of stress, anxiety and depression among university students in Malaysia. The higher the levels of stress, anxiety and depression, the lower the mental health status will be among the university students in Malaysia.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms. Nor Safa'aton Saidin
Date Deposited:	23 Aug 2023 00:53
Last Modified:	23 Aug 2023 00:53
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1323

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