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

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.

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

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.

Impact of COVID-19 on Psychological and Behavioral Changes among Malaysians

Introduction: The coronavirus (COVID-19) is currently one of the world's most serious threats;the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a worldwide public health emergency on January 30, 2020, and strict measures such as lockdown and social distancing have resulted in psychological and behavioural changes. Methods: A total of 597 respondents were surveyed. Sociodemographic data, awareness of COVID-19, preventative measures taken, depression anxiety stress scale (DASS), and world health organisation quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) assessment are among the parameters being investigated. Results: Majority of the respondents (89.3%) had a high level of knowledge. 99.5% of respondents adopted all preventive measures. 42.2% of respondents have shown moderate depression, 54.3% with extreme anxiety, and 34% normal levels of stress. Ethnicity, annual income, underlying medical ailment, interaction with COVID-19 patients, quarantine zone type, and main source of information was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) associated with level of knowledge. Age group, race, gender, education level, employment status, annual income, financial struggle, number of dependents at home, chronic medical illness, contact with COVID-19 patients, types of quarantine zone and main source of information significantly (p < 0.05) associated with depression scores. All associations were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with anxiety scores. According to the findings, persons between the ages of 45 and 54 have a higher physical quality of life, while those who are financially disadvantaged have a lower physical quality of life. Conclusion: Overall findings indicated that knowledge level was significantly correlated with psychological, behavioural, and quality of life changes.