Psychological problems among university students in an area of rapid socio-cultural change

A twelve-month study of all university students with psychological problems and symptoms, referred by the Student Health Physicians of the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur was conducted. A total of 308 students were seen and treated. The following results were elicited:
1) The proportion of student breakdown among the different ethnic groups was in proportion with the total student population.
2) There was no significant difference in diagnosis among students of urban-rural origins or from the different faculties.
3) The majority of students were seen during the first term from the first and second year courses.
4) Fifty-six percent of students suffered from symptoms prior to their admission to the university.
5 ) Differences in language stream, especially from the Malay-medium schools, did not increase the rates of breakdown because of attenuating factors to reduce the stress among Malay students.
6) Chinese students had significantly more severe acculturation gap differences from their parents than Malay students. They also significantly came from more well-off homes, of a higher social class and from urban regions as compared to the Malay students.
7) Fifty-one percent were diagnosed as suffering from a neurosis and 13.3% from a schizophrenic psychosis. The neurotics had a much lower failure rate than the schizophrenic students.
8) Personality and family problems were significantly higher among Chinese than Malay students. On the whole, there were more personality and family problems among urban-based students of both ethnic groups.