The Relationship Between Perceived Social Support And Coping Strategies With Psychological Distress Of Depression, Anxiety And Stress Among The Students Of Universiti Malaysia Sabah During The Covid-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between perceived social support and coping strategies with the psychological distress of depression, anxiety, and stress among the students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah during the Covid-19 pandemic. It also assessed the overall levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among the students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah. The total respondents were 185 students that ranged from 20 to 27 years of age and were collected from all the faculties available at the main campus of Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu. The research method applied was using the quantitative method, which collects the data through an online questionnaire platform. The result of the descriptive analysis indicated that both the levels of depression and anxiety of the Universiti Malaysia Sabah students were mild. In contrast, the stress level was moderate during the pandemic. The results of the inferential analysis indicated the relationship between perceived social support and psychological distress, which focused on depression, anxiety and stress among the university students, to overall had a significantly negative correlation between its subscales. Next, the relationship between coping strategies and psychological distress, which focused on depression, anxiety, and stress, overall had a significant correlation that can be either negative or positive based on the university students' specific type of coping strategies. Based on the findings, it is translucent how important mental health is for university students, especially during a challenging time such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Psychological well-being or good mental health is crucial and can be achieved through social support and suitable types of coping strategies.