Factors influencing work-related depression, anxiety and stress among malaysian fresh graduates
List of Authors
  • Ooi Han

Keyword
  • depression, anxiety, stress, factors, fresh graduates

Abstract
  • Mental health conditions have become progressively severe in Malaysia nowadays. Depression, anxiety, and stress are the most common mental issues affecting Malaysian employees, which posing a threat on their daily activities and work performance. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the situation has been worsened in the country. Number of depression and anxiety cases have risen evidently, especially during the prolonged lockdown. Fresh graduates are among the most impacted group who suffers from depression, anxiety, and stress at work. To further understand and tackle the issue, this study aims to determine the factors influencing work-related depression, anxiety, and stress among Malaysian fresh graduates. Online administered questionnaire survey was conducted with a sample of fresh graduates – Malaysian degree holders who graduated from July 2019 onwards, with having only at the most of two years of working experience. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 Items (DASS-21) was adopted to examine the levels of three emotional states among targeted respondents. Statistical data analysis reported a higher prevalence of anxiety as compared to depression and stress, with 80%, 55.8%, and 57.5% respectively. Job demand and workload, working hours, working environment, salary, COVID-19 pandemic, personal reasons, and interpersonal relationships are the possible sources contributing to depression, anxiety, and stress at work among fresh graduates. As a result, the work-related factors bring significant impacts on the sufferers particularly on the job and in life. Hence, several ways to manage work-related depression, anxiety and stress for fresh graduates are recommended in the last section of this study.

Reference
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