Perceived stress, avoidant coping, hopelessness, and psychological distress among undergraduate students during Covid-19 pandemic

Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationships between perceived stress, avoidant coping, hopelessness, and psychological distress among undergraduate students in Malaysia during COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was employed, and 113 participants were recruited via purposive sampling. Undergraduate students who were active during the pandemic from International Islamic University Malaysia (48.7%), Sunway University (10.6%), Taylor’s university (8.8%), and other Malaysian universities were approached while those diagnosed with any psychological disorder by trained professionals as stated in the DSM-5 were excluded from the study. The variables were measured using Perceived stress scale, Brief approach/avoidance coping questionnaire, Beck’s hopelessness scale, and General health questionnaire. Results: Results indicated that perceived stress, avoidant coping, and hopelessness were positively correlated with psychological distress. Limitations: As this was a cross-sectional survey, causality with the pandemic cannot be established. As different universities responded differently to the pandemic it could have influenced the strength of the relationship between variables, for example, IIUM began ERTL after a three-month break, whereas Taylor’s University a two-week break. Implications: Future research can examine whether perceived stress, avoidant coping, and hopelessness, may predict psychological distress longitudinally in this population. Support system developers can pilot test possible psychosocial interventions addressing stress, avoidant coping, and hopelessness to decrease the psychological distress for this population. Research Impact: This study adds to the knowledge on university students’ psychological health during the pandemic and aid in improving and developing universities’ support systems for the students and for future reference in counselling services centres handling undergraduate students