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  1. Fulltext Depression and anxiety in the Malaysian urban population and their association with demographic characteristics, quality of life, and the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic
    Leong Bin Abdullah MFI, Ahmad Yusof H, Mohd Shariff N, Hami R, Nisman NF, Law KS
    Curr Psychol, 2021;40(12):6259-6270.
    PMID: 33623353 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01492-2
    The prevalence of depression and anxiety has been shown to be higher in the urban population compared with the rural population. The present study investigated the prevalence of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and depression with comorbid anxiety symptoms and their associated factors in a random sample drawn from several urban communities in Malaysia. This study also determined the association between the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and depression with comorbid anxiety symptoms. We recruited 326 participants, who were administered a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire; the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to assess the presence or absence of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and depression with comorbid anxiety symptoms; and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQoL-BREF) to assess their QoL. The following prevalence values were obtained among the participants: depression symptoms, 23.9%; anxiety symptoms, 41.7%; and depression with comorbid anxiety symptoms, 19.9%. Those assessed after the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic showed increased odds of depressive symptoms (adjusted OR = 2.99, 95% CI = 1.41-6.35, p = 0.006) and depressive with comorbid anxiety symptoms (adjusted OR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.37-7.45, p = 0.005), while the presence of comorbid stress increased the odds of depressive symptoms (adjusted OR = 16.00, 95% CI = 7.84-32.63, p 
  2. Fulltext Working in lockdown: the relationship between COVID-19 induced work stressors, job performance, distress, and life satisfaction
    Kumar P, Kumar N, Aggarwal P, Yeap JAL
    Curr Psychol, 2021;40(12):6308-6323.
    PMID: 33746462 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01567-0
    Background & aim: In the wake of COVID-19, organizations all over India have closed their premises and shifted to work from home policy to curb the further spread of the virus. This has led to increased stress and anxiety among employees, which explicably affects their satisfaction with life. Thus, the present study analyses the effect of COVID-19 induced stressors (role overload, lifestyle choices, family distraction, and occupational discomfort) on employees' distress levels and job performance. Subsequently, the impact of such distress and job performance on the employees' life satisfaction is analyzed during the lockdown period.

    Methodology: Data was collected from 433 working professionals of private and public organizations in the Delhi and NCR region of India during India's third and fourth phase of lockdown via a survey, which was distributed online. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was applied first to establish the validity of this study's model (measurement model validity) and subsequently test the hypothesized relationships in the model (structural model).

    Results: The COVID-19 induced stressors, i.e., role overload, lifestyle choices, and occupational discomfort, were significant predictors of distress during the lockdown. It has been found that role overload and change in lifestyle choice did not significantly affect job performance. Family distraction, occupational discomfort, and distress were significant in impacting job performance, with distress being the most significant one. During the COVID-19 pandemic, life satisfaction has reduced due to a significant increase in distress levels and lowered job performances.

    Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-021-01567-0.

  3. Fulltext Encountering Covid-19 and perceived stress and the role of a health climate among medical workers
    Abbas S, Al-Abrrow H, Abdullah HO, Alnoor A, Khattak ZZ, Khaw KW
    Curr Psychol, 2022;41(12):9109-9122.
    PMID: 33519147 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01381-8
    Due to the outbreak of Covid-19 epidemic, work stress among health sector employees has risen too high. The study aims at determining the effect of the current coronavirus epidemic in the form of stress perceived among the medical workers in Pakistan and to discover the moderating role played by a healthy climate in offsetting it. The data was collected from 255 medical workers through a self-administered online questionnaire. Multiple Hierarchical Regression was used as a tool to test the hypotheses of the study. The results obtained indicate a correlation between the pandemic and the stress caused by it among the health workers, whereas, the role of a wholesome climate in the reduction of stress among them was found lacking. Sub-hypotheses indicate that the healthy environment provided by supervisors is effective in reducing the impact of workers' handling of the Covid-19 epidemic and perceived stress, while the healthy environment provided by hospitals in general or by workgroups fails to cause such positive change. This revelation necessitates the adoption of compulsory precautionary measures on the part of relevant authorities, because increase in stress caused by the pandemic can prove more lethal than the pandemic itself. The threat of the coronavirus pandemic has emerged as a massive socio-economic challenge for the global community, especially for the developing countries like Pakistan which faces serious socio-economic challenges in the current scenario. On account of the similarity of situations, the results obtained through this study can be safely generalized to other developing countries, particularly from the South Asian region.
  4. Fulltext Demystifying the life domain in work-life balance: A Malaysian perspective
    Jayasingam S, Lee ST, Mohd Zain KN
    Curr Psychol, 2023;42(1):1-12.
    PMID: 33519148 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01403-5
    Traditionally, the word 'life' in the concept of work-life balance focuses on family obligations. This conceptual paper sets out to present the notion that "life" goes beyond family responsibilities and is unique to employees of different demographics. Given the impending difference in how "life" is viewed by different groups of employees, this study reviews the literature and argues for the need to distinguish between different dimensions of the non-work domain. The discussion is centered on the transformation taking place within the Malaysian workforce. Recent trends indicate that "life" and "family" are indeed distinct domains. There is a need for organizations to acknowledge this distinction and provide relevant support to attain a balance between work, life, and family. The paper will help strengthen the knowledge about the "life" in the concept of work-life balance and employers better understand the conceptualization of "life" in work-life balance so that they can strategize and enhance employee well-being and eventually gain competitive advantage. Currently, the terms work-life balance and work-family balance are used interchangeably to represent a balance between the family and work domain. This is especially evident in collectivist countries such as Malaysia. However, the emphasis on family without due consideration to the needs of employees with different demographic configurations may result in work-life backlash. Hence, this study argues that the non-work domain is not limited to family obligations and should encompass both family obligations and personal activities. The emphasis on striking a balance between work and family domain should not be done at the expense of the well-being of employees with lesser or no family obligations.
  5. Fulltext An impact of content delivery, equity, support and self-efficacy on student's learning during the COVID-19
    Kumar P, Kumar N, Ting H
    Curr Psychol, 2023;42(3):2460-2470.
    PMID: 34253947 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02053-3
    Due to the outbreak of Covid-19, the colleges and universities across the world have shifted to online classes in place of face-to-face classes. In the wake of this outbreak, the present study focuses on analyzing the impact of sudden shift to online classes, on the undergraduate and postgraduate student's overall learning. The PLS-SEM results concluded that the content delivery has been the most significant construct to impact both self-efficacy and overall learning. The self-efficacy partially mediates the support and equity relationship with the overall learning. The student with greater self-efficacy will have better overall learning from this e-synchronous teaching methodology. However, content delivery has a stronger role in impacting the overall learning even if there is absence of self-efficacy, thus concluding no mediation.
  6. Fulltext How self leadership enhances normative commitment and work performance by engaging people at work?
    Inam A, Ho JA, Sheikh AA, Shafqat M, Najam U
    Curr Psychol, 2023;42(5):3596-3609.
    PMID: 33867780 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01697-5
    Leadership and its connection with social sustainability are frequently prescribed for effective management. Integrating self-leadership among the employees is an emerging area to focus on empowering an organization. The principal objective of this study was to empirically investigate the impact of self-leadership on normative commitment and work performance through the mediating role of work engagement. This phenomenon of self-leadership was explained by using the theoretical lens of the social cognitive theory and intrinsic motivation theory. Data was collected from 318 employees who worked in the telecom sector in Pakistan and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) AMOS. The findings revealed that in the presence of self-leadership, employee's work engagement, commitment to the organization, and overall work performance elevated significantly. Furthermore, the results also illustrated the occurrence of two significant mediating paths. First, the mediating role of work engagement in the relationship between self-leadership and normative commitment, and second, the mediation of work engagement in the relationship between self-leadership and work performance. The findings of the study significantly contribute practically, and theoretically to the existing literature.
  7. Fulltext The impact of employment stress on college students: psychological well-being during COVID-19 pandemic in China
    Peng Y, Lv SB, Low SR, Bono SA
    Curr Psychol, 2023 May 30.
    PMID: 37359658 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04785-w
    Employment among final year college students in China has encountered unprecedented difficulties during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the high unemployment rate had led college graduates faced inadvertently mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. This study aims to investigate the impact of employment stress on college students' psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. An online survey consisting of demographic items (i.e., age, gender, subject major, type of university, and perceived severity of the current employment situation), Employment Stress scale, Employment Anxiety Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire was employed for data collection. A total of 2,627 final year college students were recruited, with participants displayed below moderate levels of employment stress and anxiety. Approximately 13.2% of participants were depressed and 53.3% considered the current employment situation as severe. Female students were stressed by individual factors and anxious, whilst male students were more depressed. Arts students were less depressed and students from comprehensive universities were more depressed and anxious compared to other types of universities. Students who perceived the employment situation as very severe displayed the lowest level of employment stress and anxiety. Gender, university type, family stress, college stress, and individual stress are predictors of psychological well-being among college students. The family environment, female identity, and stress from university play a crucial role in college students' psychological well-being. The government should pay more attention to the psychological well-being of graduate students and develop feasible measures to help them secure a job during this unprecedented time.
  8. Fulltext Social media skepticism and belief in conspiracy theories about COVID-19: the moderating role of the dark triad
    Ahadzadeh AS, Ong FS, Wu SL
    Curr Psychol, 2023;42(11):8874-8886.
    PMID: 34393466 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02198-1
    The prevalence of conspiracy theories about COVID-19 in the wide-open social media environment has raised considerable concerns about the adverse effects of believing such theories. The previous work showed that skepticism is negatively associated with acceptance of media content. However, this association has yet to be investigated between skepticism towards content on social media and conviction of COVID-19 conspiracy theories. Furthermore, this association can be a function of social media users' dark triad traits comprising Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy. A convenient sample of 439 Malaysian young adult social media users was recruited to complete the survey. Results showed that skepticism has a negative relationship with belief in conspiracy theories about COVID-19. However, the strength of the relationship is varied depending on respondents' Machiavellianism and narcissism levels. The negative association between skepticism and belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories is weaker for individuals with high scores on Machiavellianism. High and moderate scores on narcissism were also found to diminish the negative relationship of skepticism with COVID-19 conspiracy ideation. The results yield implications for enhancing healthy skepticism to mitigate belief in conspiracy theories promulgated on social media. Nonetheless, Machiavellianism and narcissism appeared to weaken the power of skepticism on conspiracy theories.
  9. Fulltext COVID-19 and social wellbeing in Malaysia: A case study
    Yong SS, Sia JK
    Curr Psychol, 2023;42(12):9577-9591.
    PMID: 34539153 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02290-6
    The world has witnessed the largest single disruption to social wellbeing since the first known case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in China in December 2019. In Malaysia, the government implemented the Movement Control Order (MCO) on 18 March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this paper highlights how the Malaysian government responded to COVID-19 in comparison with some Asian countries; and what has and has not worked for the MCO imposed by the government. The paper adopts a review approach that is supported by findings from both grey and academic literature. The findings reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has significant impacts on the society's wellbeing in Malaysia, the most severe of which are negative mental health and job unemployment. On the other hand, COVID-19 has sparked a surge of volunteering in society. This paper presumably and hopefully represents a frontier review with more empirical research to be conducted to investigate the extent of the social impact of COVID-19, the outcomes of which are a call for re-envisioning of social policies in Malaysia. To the best knowledge of the authors, little empirical research has been conducted to explore the social-wellbeing implications of COVID-19 in Malaysia. By reflecting on the various scenarios-both detrimental and beneficial in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the paper identifies potential avenues for relevant research in the social wellbeing realm.
  10. Fulltext Exploring global trends and future directions in advertising research: A focus on consumer behavior
    Alsharif AH, Salleh NZM, Alrawad M, Lutfi A
    Curr Psychol, 2023 Jun 03.
    PMID: 37359681 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04812-w
    This study aims to select the physiological and neurophysiological studies utilized in advertising and to address the fragmented comprehension of consumers' mental responses to advertising held by marketers and advertisers. To fill the gap, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework was employed to select relevant articles, and bibliometric analysis was conducted to determine global trends and advancements in advertising and neuromarketing. The study selected and analyzed forty-one papers from the Web of Science (WoS) database from 2009-2020. The results indicated that Spain, particularly the Complutense University of Madrid, was the most productive country and institution, respectively, with 11 and 3 articles. The journal Frontiers in Psychology was the most prolific, with eight articles. The article "Neuromarketing: The New Science of Consumer Behavior" had the most citations (152 T.Cs). Additionally, the researchers discovered that the inferior frontal and middle temporal gyri were associated with pleasant and unpleasant emotions, respectively, while the right superior temporal and right middle frontal gyrus was connected to high and low arousal. Furthermore, the right prefrontal cortex (PFC) and left PFC were linked to withdrawal and approach behaviors. In terms of the reward system, the ventral striatum played a critical role, while the orbitofrontal cortex and ventromedial PFC were connected to perception. As far as we know, this is the first paper that focused on the global academic trends and developments of neurophysiological and physiological instruments used in advertising in the new millennium, emphasizing the significance of intrinsic and extrinsic emotional processes, endogenous and exogenous attentional processes, memory, reward, motivational attitude, and perception in advertising campaigns.
  11. Fulltext When and why are employees willing to engage in voice behavior: a power cognition perspective
    Luo S, Wang J, Xie Z, Tong DYK
    Curr Psychol, 2023 Apr 18.
    PMID: 37359604 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04638-6
    Previous studies have found that sense of power is an important predictor of employee voice; however, the mechanism underlying the relationship between these factors remains unclear. To explore this mechanism, 642 valid questionnaires from 45 enterprises were used to conduct an empirical test based on the approach-inhibition theory of power. The results showed that sense of power can affect error risk taking positively, error risk taking mediates the relationship between sense of power and employee voice; and power congruence moderates both the direct relationship between sense of power and employee voice and their indirect relationship via error risk taking. This study thus provides a useful reference for improving employees' enthusiasm for voice behavior and can help enhance the competitiveness of enterprises.
  12. Fulltext A systematic review on the cultural factors associated with stigma during pandemics
    Zay Hta MK, Ting RS, Goh PH, Gan QH, Jones L
    Curr Psychol, 2023 Mar 15.
    PMID: 37359581 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04509-0
    Both public stigma and perceived self-stigma are prevalent during pandemics threatening a divide among the global community. This systematic review examined the cultural factors associated with viral respiratory-related pandemic stigma. Following PRISMA guidelines, the keywords, "culture, stigma, and pandemic" were searched across relevant databases for empirical papers between January 2000 to March 2022. Quality assessment and coding were adopted in the screening process. Thirty-one articles were included in the final analysis. Themes revealed that collectivistic values, cultural identities, and non-western regions were associated with public (others) stigma; mismatch of cultural values, minority groups, and North America, Asia, Oceania, and African regions were associated with higher perceived and self-stigma. We further mapped the themes into a proposed systemic cultural stigma model to integrate the dynamic intersection of cultural values, identity, and ecology. The cultural factors and their influence on stigma were then explained by drawing on two evolutionary theories: Cultural rationality theory and scapegoating theory. Lastly, we proposed culturally sensitive and responsive practices for stigma management at the community level, especially in non-Western regions during the pandemic recovery phase.
  13. Fulltext Do Privacy Stress and Brand Trust still Matter? Implications on Continuous Online Purchasing Intention in China
    Gong J, Said F, Ting H, Firdaus A, Aksar IA, Xu J
    Curr Psychol, 2022 Feb 19.
    PMID: 35221631 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-02857-x
    The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to unprecedented transformations in consumer behaviour. Less is known about how consumers react to privacy stress while being compelled to continuously purchase online during the pandemic. Therefore, underpinned by the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory, this paper aims to examine the impacts of perceived Internet risk, self-efficacy, privacy stress, and trust on consumers' continuous purchasing intention in China. Few studies have examined the mediating roles of privacy stress and brand trust in continuous purchasing intention. This research thus adds value by exploring the underlying mechanisms that explain how these factors affect purchasing intention where consumers have little choice but to make purchase online continuously. It employs a quantitative research design and uses a survey questionnaire to collect data. A total of 535 consumers responded and the data were analysed via PLS-SEM. We found mixed results for the direct and indirect paths. Perceived Internet risk, platform trust, and self-efficacy showed significant impacts on privacy stress and brand trust. While brand trust had a significant impact on continuous online purchase intention, contrary to previous literature, privacy stress did not. Moreover, while brand trust was found to be a significant mediator, privacy stress exerted no mediating effect. The results assist marketing practitioners, organizations, and policymakers in improving consumers' online shopping experience in uncertain times by addressing the issues of trust and privacy. Specifically, we provide the foundation for future policies and strategies that build consumers' trust and secure consumers' privacy, especially in highly uncertain contexts.
  14. Fulltext Psychological impact of COVID-19 restrictions among individuals at risk of exercise addiction and their socio-demographic correlates: A Saudi Arabian survey study
    Syed NK, Alqahtani SS, Meraya AM, Elnaem MH, Albarraq AA, Syed MH, et al.
    Curr Psychol, 2022 Mar 08.
    PMID: 35283613 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-02892-8
    Exercise addiction (EA) has been described as a condition of psychological dysfunction characterized by excessive and obsessive exercise patterns, show withdrawal symptoms when unable to exercise, and experience numerous conflicts and other negative consequences in their social and professional lives, due to the extremely high volumes of exercise. The main objective of the present study was to assess the risk of exercise addiction among a Saudi Arabian sample of regular exercisers and to investigate possible associations between their inability to exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown (due to the closure of public gyms, swimming pools, and health clubs) and depression, anxiety, and loneliness. A total of 388 regular-exercising Saudis participated in an online cross-sectional survey over three months (December to February 2021). The study sample comprised 89.9% (males) and 10.1% (females), with a mean age of 28.59 years (SD ± 6.69). A 36-item online self-report survey was used for data collection. The prevalence of being at risk of exercise addiction among participants of the present study was 13.1%. Positive significant associations were noted between risk of exercise addiction and depression (r = .41; p 
  15. Fulltext The Swedish gamble: trust in the government and self-efficacy in the battle to combat COVID-19
    Hassan MS, Al Halbusi H, Razali A, Ariffin RNR, Williams KA
    Curr Psychol, 2022 Mar 19.
    PMID: 35340688 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-02947-w
    Governments around the world have issued movement restrictions and quarantines to combat the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, the Swedish government has not implemented such measures but has depended on individual responsibility. The extent to which individuals have been encouraged to trust in and be satisfied with government strategies and adopt personal health measures, such as social isolation, remains unclear. This study examines the direct effects of trust in the government and risk perception on self-efficacy. Most importantly, this study intends to explore whether satisfaction with government measures strengthens the relationships between 1) trust in the government and self-efficacy and 2) risk perception and self-efficacy. We test our suggested hypotheses using survey data obtained from 403 Swedish citizens living in Sweden. As predicted, the findings indicate that trust in the government and risk perception positively impact individual self-efficacy. Additionally, the findings reveal that satisfaction with government measures strengthens these relationships; more precisely, the impact of trust in the government and risk perception under a high level of individual satisfaction with government measures is much more positive than that under a low satisfaction level. In practice, a focus on implementing successful policies and excellent individual self-efficacy is required to halt the pandemic, and the findings indicate that combining strictly attentive and adaptive individual strategies with government strategies can minimize the spread of infection.
  16. Fulltext Technology enhanced learning acceptance among university students during Covid-19: Integrating the full spectrum of Self-Determination Theory and self-efficacy into the Technology Acceptance Model
    Rosli MS, Saleh NS
    Curr Psychol, 2022 Mar 25.
    PMID: 35370388 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-02996-1
    This study proposes a unified theoretical model to integrate the full spectrum of Self-Determination Theory, self-efficacy, and the Technology Acceptance Model in understanding the acceptance of technology enhanced learning among university students during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the proposed theoretical model, 7 hypotheses were tested to understand the acceptance of technology enhanced learning. A total of 303 university students participated in this study. The Heterotrait-Monotrait (HTMT) ratio of correlation was applied to measure Discriminant Validity for the Covariance-Based Structural Equation Model. Based on the results, the unified theoretical model provided better insight to understanding acceptance of technology enhanced learning (R2 = .71). Intrinsic motivation (IM), amotivation, motivation, and technology enhanced self-efficacy (TELSE) were identified as significant determinants of students' perceived ease of use (PEU). Amotivation, motivation and TELSE were significant determinants of students' perceived usefulness (PU) towards technology enhanced learning. During the Covid-19 pandemic, students had internalised external regulation and identified regulation. The empirical results also revealed that the relationship between amotivation and PEU were moderated by gender. Gender also played a role in moderating the effects of amotivation and motivation relationships towards PU. However, the relationships between IM and motivation toward PEU and TELSE to PU were vulnerable towards the moderating effects of gender and students' field of study. In conclusion, students' view on technology acceptance have changed since the pandemic, therefore, their participation in design, development, and implementation of learning resources is much needed than before to improve their psychological motivation.
  17. Fulltext Self-compassion promotes mental help-seeking in older, not in younger, counselors
    Aruta JJBR, Maria A, Mascarenhas J
    Curr Psychol, 2022 Apr 02.
    PMID: 35400980 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03054-6
    While self-compassion and mental help-seeking are two important aspects emphasized in mental health literature and counseling practice, very little research has focused on how these two are associated particularly among counseling professionals-individuals providing mental health support to others but whose mental health are often overlooked. This cross-sectional study investigated a moderated mediation model examining the role of age and attitudes in the positive influence of self-compassion on mental help-seeking intention. Using a paper-and-pencil survey, data were collected from a total of 158 Filipino counseling professionals. Results revealed that mental help-seeking attitudes significantly and partially mediated the positive association between self-compassion and mental help-seeking intention. Additionally, age significantly moderated the positive relationship between self-compassion and mental help-seeking attitudes. The significant positive influence of self-compassion on mental help-seeking attitudes was strong among older participants, weak among middle-age, and diminished among younger participants. The findings provided insights on the importance of a self-compassion-based approach to counselor training. The implications of preserving counselors' mental health in counseling practice were discussed.
  18. Fulltext Reactions towards organizational change: a systematic literature review
    Khaw KW, Alnoor A, Al-Abrrow H, Tiberius V, Ganesan Y, Atshan NA
    Curr Psychol, 2022 Apr 13.
    PMID: 35431526 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03070-6
    Regardless of the prevalence and value of change initiatives in contemporary organizations, these often face resistance by employees. This resistance is the outcome of change recipients' cognitive and behavioral reactions towards change. To better understand the causes and effects of reactions to change, a holistic view of prior research is needed. Accordingly, we provide a systematic literature review on this topic. We categorize extant research into four major and several subcategories: micro and macro reactions. We analyze the essential characteristics of the emerging field of change reactions along research issues and challenges, benefits of (even negative) reactions, managerial implications, and propose future research opportunities.
  19. Fulltext COVID-19 mental health prevalence and its risk factors in South East Asia
    Balakrishnan V, Ng KS, Kaur W, Lee ZL
    Curr Psychol, 2022 Jan 12.
    PMID: 35035200 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02556-z
    With the record surge of positive cases in Southeast Asia, there is a need to examine the adverse mental effects of COVID-19 among the under-researched countries. This study aims to synthesize the extant literature reporting the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological outcomes of people in Southeast Asia, and its risk factors. A scoping review was adopted targeting articles published in PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus from January 2020 to March 30, 2021. Articles were screened using predetermined eligibility criteria, resulting in 26 papers. Elevated prevalence of adverse mental effects was noted in most of the countries as the pandemic progressed over time, with Malaysia and Philippines reporting higher prevalence rates. Mental decline was found to be more profound among the general population compared to healthcare workers and students. Dominant risk factors reported were age (younger), sex (females), education (higher), low coping skill and social/family support, and poor reliability in COVID-19 related information. Adverse mental effects were noted among population, healthcare workers and students in most of the Southeast Asian countries. Intervention and prevention efforts should be based at community-level and prioritize young adults, females, and individuals with dire financial constraints.
  20. Fulltext Exploring the level of lockdown fatigue and effect of personal resilience and coping behaviours on university students during the covid-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional analysis from Iraq
    Hassan BAR, Mohammed AH, Wayyes AM, Farhan SS, Al-Ani OA, Blebil A, et al.
    Curr Psychol, 2022 Feb 03.
    PMID: 35136327 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-02779-8
    Governments worldwide have imposed lockdowns in their countries to restrict unnecessary movement and curb the spread and transmission of the Covid-19 as a mitigation measure. The education sector has also implemented rapid changes, and this has transformed the operational procedures for both students and lecturers. As the pandemic has progressed, its emotional and psychological toll is equally bearing on students, leading to lockdown fatigue. This study aimed to investigate the level of lockdown-induced fatigue and its correlation with personal resilience and coping skills among university students in Iraq. This study used quantitative methods of research using a cross-sectional study design. A questionnaire survey was distributed electronically among 819 university students in Iraq. The study used three standardised scales: the lockdown fatigue scale, brief resilience scale, and coping behaviours questionnaire for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were done using SPSS. Overall, students indicated a high level of lockdown fatigue with a mean score of 33.48out of 50. Fear of personal safety and the wellbeing of the family was the most fear expressed by the students. The ability to go through stressful times and unpleasant events was the most common worry among the students. Female, urbanised, and science field students were the most students who suffered from lockdown-induced fatigue. However, positive coping behaviours and personal resilience were significantly correlated with decreasing fatigue levels during the lockdown period. Level of lockdown fatigue accelerated in an alarming stage among university students in Iraq. Hence, students need to build their emotional resilience and learn how to navigate surviving hard times and bounce back after a loss. This could be facilitated by counselling services being availed to educational and social institutions to benefit university students.
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