Relationship Between Fear of COVID-19, Psychopathology and Sociodemographic Variables in Malaysian Population

COVID-19 has affected Malaysia in multitude aspects. Although Malaysia is on the righttrack to flatten the curve attributed to swift and decisive actions by the government, it isimportant to assess the psychological after effect that caused by the pandemic and themovement control order. This study performed in Borneo, Malaysia, was conductedusing principles of snowballing, and by invitation through university students and staffsmailing list to participate. The survey collected data on sociodemographic, along withmeasuring psychological impact by using the newly validated Malay version Fear ofCOVID-19 Scale and DASS-21 scale. There were a total of 255 respondents. Themajority of the respondents’age was 25 years and below, with a female male ratio of2:1 and around 70% respondents were students. Below 25-year-old age group, andfemales are having significantly higher levels of fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety,and stress. Single people have higher depression level. There was a significant differencebetween students and non-students for depression, anxiety, and stress, but not for fear ofCOVID-19. It is imperative to allay the fears and psychological sequalae of COVID-19,especially those individuals at higher risks. Psychological interventions as well astelepsychiatry mobilisation could prove useful in dealing with the distress