Psychological Distress Among Malaysian University Students: The Protective Roles of Hope, Optimism, Resilience, and Self-Efficacy.

IF 1.7 4区心理学 Q3 PSYCHOLOGY

Journal of Genetic Psychology Pub Date : 2025-05-02 DOI:10.1080/00221325.2025.2497457

Shin Ling Wu, Pei Nee Mah, Chin Choo Yap, Jia Yuin Fam, Soon Aun Tan

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Psychological distress is a growing concern among university students, yet the role of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) components in mitigating distress remains unclear. This study examines the protective roles of self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience on psychological distress among Malaysian university students. A total of 547 students aged 18 to 24 years (M = 21.23, SD = 1.82) participated in this cross-sectional correlational study. Using SmartPLS software, the regression analysis showed that self-efficacy and optimism were significant negative predictors of psychological distress, whereas pessimism and succumbing were significant positive predictors. However, hope and resilience did not exhibit significant predictive effects. These findings highlight the protective roles of self-efficacy and optimism in reducing distress, while acknowledging the detrimental impact of pessimism and succumbing. Outcomes of the study support Psychological Distress Theory and partially validate PsyCap, highlighting the distinct contributions of its components on psychological distress. Addressing these negative psychological constructs through targeted interventions such as self-efficacy enhancement workshops and cognitive-behavioural programs may help reduce pessimistic thoughts and psychological distress among university students.

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马来西亚大学生的心理困扰：希望、乐观、弹性和自我效能的保护作用。

心理困扰是大学生日益关注的问题，但心理资本（PsyCap）成分在缓解心理困扰中的作用尚不清楚。本研究探讨自我效能、乐观、希望及弹性对马来西亚大学生心理困扰的保护作用。共有547名18 ~ 24岁的学生参与了本横断面相关研究，M = 21.23, SD = 1.82。运用SmartPLS回归分析显示，自我效能和乐观是心理困扰的显著负向预测因子，悲观和屈服是心理困扰的显著正向预测因子。然而，希望和韧性并没有表现出显著的预测效应。这些发现强调了自我效能和乐观在减少痛苦方面的保护作用，同时也承认了悲观和屈服的有害影响。本研究结果支持心理困扰理论，部分验证了PsyCap，突出了其组成部分对心理困扰的独特贡献。通过有针对性的干预措施，如自我效能增强研讨会和认知行为项目，来解决这些消极的心理结构，可能有助于减少大学生的悲观思想和心理困扰。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Genetic Psychology 医学-心理学

CiteScore

2.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of Genetic Psychology is devoted to research and theory in the field of developmental psychology. It encompasses a life-span approach, so in addition to manuscripts devoted to infancy, childhood, and adolescence, articles on adulthood and aging are also published. We accept submissions in the area of educational psychology as long as they are developmental in nature. Submissions in cross cultural psychology are accepted, but they must add to our understanding of human development in a comparative global context. Applied, descriptive, and qualitative articles are occasionally accepted, as are replications and refinements submitted as brief reports. The review process for all submissions to The Journal of Genetic Psychology consists of double blind review.