In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 16, No. 9 ( 2021-9-10), p. e0257304-
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic has enormously affected the psychological well-being, social and working life of millions of people across the world. This study aimed to investigate the psychological distress, fear and coping strategies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors among Malaysian residents. Methods Participants were invited to an online cross-sectional survey from Aug-Sep 2020. The study assessed psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, level of fear using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and coping strategies using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to adjust for potential confounders. Results The mean age (±SD) of the participants (N = 720) was 31.7 (±11.5) years, and most of them were females (67.1%). Half of the participants had an income source, while 216 (30%) identified themselves as frontline health or essential service workers. People whose financial situation was impacted due to COVID-19 (AOR 2.16, 95% CIs 1.54–3.03), people who drank alcohol in the last four weeks (3.43, 1.45–8.10), people who were a patient (2.02, 1.39–2.93), and had higher levels of fear of COVID-19 (2.55, 1.70–3.80) were more likely to have higher levels of psychological distress. Participants who self-isolated due to exposure to COVID-19 (3.12, 1.04–9.32) and who had moderate to very high levels of psychological distress (2.56, 1.71–3.83) had higher levels of fear. Participants who provided care to a family member/patient with a suspected case of COVID-19 were more likely to be moderately to highly resilient compared to those who did not. Conclusion Vulnerable groups of individuals such as patients and those impacted financially during COVID-19 should be supported for their mental wellbeing. Behavioural interventions should be targeted to reduce the impact of alcohol drinking during such crisis period.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.t004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.t005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.t006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.t007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.r004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.r005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.r006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.r007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0257304.r008
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
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