WILL TEMPORARY DEPRIVATION FROM PHYSICAL INTERACTION MAKE YOU ANXIOUS? Understanding Loneliness and Anxiety Among Students

Abstract

Infectious disease may require social isolation in order to prevent the disease from spreading. However, minimising the risk of infectious disease is done in the cost of increasing the risk of mental health issues. In Malaysia, during the Covid-19 pandemic, educational institutions were shut down due to Movement Control Order. Students in colleges were told to return home, however some were stranded and isolated in their hostel rooms. The group of students include international students who could not return to their countries. This study focuses on the impact of the isolation on loneliness and anxiety. It is proven by simple linear regression analysis that the loneliness has a signifcant causal efect on anxiety level. A correlation trend is also observed between students’ family income andanxiety. Even though COVID-19 has been declared as epidemic, communities should be alert with future risks with the increase of communicable disease around the world. Moving forward, this study suggests improvement for the quarantine procedure and overall program development for universities. More focus should be given on integrating international students to the local community, virtual relationship building programs and support services. Researcher recommends that future research is conducted to understand the recovery process from elevated loneliness and anxiety during the epidemic. Even though the lockdown is over, the country is still dealing with the aftermath especially regarding people’s well-being.