COVID 19 Pandemic: The Psychological Adjustment of International Students in Malaysian Public Universities

Abstract: The outbreak of COVID-19 disease has greatly affected one’s psychological condition. At all COVID-19 times, International Students (IS) fragility puts them at a high risk affected group by COVID-19. However, throughout the COVID-19 period, only a few studies have been conducted on psychological experiences in the home country. Hence, this study was conducted to explore the psychological challenges that happen among international students during COVID-19 pandemic and the support that has been given to help their psychological adjustments. This qualitative research applied a purposive sampling method to investigate psychological adjustment at 6 public universities with the highest number of international students in their zone. Semi structured interviews have been conducted among ten international students and seven officers from the International Student Society (ISS). This research also used document analysis to triangulate and validate data. All data gathered has been analysed using thematic analysis with assistance from the CAQDAS software program (ATLAS.ti). Results gathered indicate that IS are dealing with loneliness, depression, frustration, hopelessness and stress. These psychological issues influence their feelings and behaviour. Nevertheless, universities are also providing services to assist IS during their adjustment period. Services provided such as virtual help desk, counselling service, regular contact with international students and mental awareness programs. Hence, further planning for suitable services and assistance should be made by authorities regarding adjustments during COVID-19 in Malaysia. Keywords: COVID-19; psychological issues; psychological support; case studies Abstrak: Wabak penyakit COVID-19 telah banyak menjejaskan keadaan psikologi seseorang. Pada semua masa COVID-19, kerapuhan Pelajar Antarabangsa (PA) meletakkan mereka pada kumpulan yang berisiko tinggi terjejas oleh COVID-19. Bagaimanapun, sepanjang tempoh COVID-19, hanya beberapa kajian telah dijalankan mengenai pengalaman psikologi di negara asal. Justeru, kajian ini dijalankan untuk meneroka cabaran psikologi yang berlaku dalam kalangan pelajar antarabangsa semasa pandemik COVID-19 dan sokongan yang telah diberikan untuk membantu penyesuaian psikologi mereka. Penyelidikan kualitatif ini menggunakan kaedah persampelan bertujuan untuk menyiasat pelarasan psikologi di 6 universiti awam dengan bilangan pelajar antarabangsa tertinggi di zon mereka. Temu bual separa berstruktur telah dijalankan dalam kalangan sepuluh pelajar antarabangsa dan tujuh pegawai daripada Persatuan Pelajar Antarabangsa (ISS). Penyelidikan ini juga menggunakan analisis dokumen untuk melakukan triangulasi dan mengesahkan data. Semua data yang dikumpul telah dianalisis menggunakan analisis tematik dengan bantuan daripada program perisian CAQDAS (ATLAS.ti). Keputusan yang dikumpul menunjukkan bahawa IS sedang berhadapan dengan kesunyian, kemurungan, kekecewaan, keputusasaan dan tekanan. Isu-isu psikologi ini mempengaruhi perasaan dan tingkah laku mereka. Namun begitu, universiti juga menyediakan perkhidmatan untuk membantu IS semasa tempoh penyesuaian mereka. Perkhidmatan yang disediakan seperti meja bantuan maya, perkhidmatan kaunseling, hubungan tetap dengan pelajar antarabangsa dan program kesedaran mental. Oleh itu, perancangan lanjut untuk perkhidmatan dan bantuan yang sesuai perlu dibuat oleh pihak berkuasa berhubung pelarasan semasa COVID-19 di Malaysia. Kata kunci: COVID-19; isu psikologi; sokongan psikologi