COPING STYLES AND DETERMINANTS OF PERCEIVED STRESS AMONG LOW-INCOME POPULATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A MALAYSIAN STUDY

Authors

  • Hana Chen International Medical School, Management and Science University, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Roy Rillera Marzo Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, Curtin University, Sarawak, Malaysia
  • Mila Nu Nu Htay Faculty of Medicine, Manipal University College Malaysia, Malacca, Malaysia
  • Wong Mei Yee International Medical School, Management and Science University, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Rafidah Bahari Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
  • Zulkifli Ghaus International Medical School, Management and Science University, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Allistair Adam Nelson Department of Social Sciences, Taylors University, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Sarah Mohd Zainal Abidin International Medical School, Management and Science University, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Hassan Omar Ads International Medical School, Management and Science University, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Mohammad Jaweed International Medical School, Management and Science University, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Hooi Chia Tang Faculty of Medicine, Manipal University College Malaysia, Malacca, Malaysia
  • Dwi Syah Fitra Ramadhan Department of Pharmacy, Poltekkes Kemenkes Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia
  • Rusli Rusli Department of Pharmacy, Poltekkes Kemenkes Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia
  • Mohammed A. Abdalqader Faculty of Medicine, University of Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37268/mjphm/vol.24/no.2/art.2403

Keywords:

COVID-19; stress, coping strategy; coping style; low-income group

Abstract

Given the pandemic's profound mental health impact and limited access to healthcare services for low-income groups, understanding effective coping mechanisms is crucial for supporting their mental well-being. This study aimed to assess the preference for coping strategies, prevalence, and determinants of perceived stress among the urban poor in Selangor, Malaysia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional study and adopted convenience sampling to recruit participants. A validated interviewer-administered questionnaire was distributed to collect data. The participants were required to report their sociodemographic profile, coping strategies, and perceived stress. Coping was measured using the Brief-COPE, and stress was measured using the DASS-21 instrument. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the association between coping styles and the severity level of perceived stress. The prevalence of perceived stress among the participants (n=381) was 40%. Acceptance (58.8%) and self-distraction (51.2%) were the most practised coping strategies. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that practising emotion-focused coping compared to non-practising was associated with severe and extremely severe stress (AOR=2.917, 95% CI: 1.304-6.525). Individuals who practice problem-focused coping are less likely to develop severe and extremely severe stress than non-practising (AOR=0.355, 95% CI: 0.154-0.820). The low-income groups preferred to use emotion-focused coping in response to severe stress. However, problem-focused coping is the most effective coping among the three styles. Positive problem-focused coping strategies may serve as the basis for psychological intervention. These findings may serve as the basis for psychological intervention, especially for those with severe stress symptoms.

References

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Published

2024-08-28

How to Cite

Hana Chen, Roy Rillera Marzo, Mila Nu Nu Htay, Yee, W. M., Rafidah Bahari, Zulkifli Ghaus, … A. Abdalqader, M. (2024). COPING STYLES AND DETERMINANTS OF PERCEIVED STRESS AMONG LOW-INCOME POPULATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A MALAYSIAN STUDY. Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 24(2), 211–222. https://doi.org/10.37268/mjphm/vol.24/no.2/art.2403

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 2 (2024): Vol 24 No 2 (2024)

Section

Articles