Level of Self Esteem Among Medical Students in International Islamic University Malaysia Kuantan (IIUM) and Its Association With Religiosity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33102/uij.vol33no2.309Keywords:
medical students, self-esteem, mental health, religion, prayer, IslamAbstract
Medicine is one of the most difficult academic course that faces many psychological challenges. A high level of self-esteem is needed to cope with such challenges, and religiosity is seen as one of the approaches to increase one’s self esteem especially among Muslim medical students. This study aims to measure the level of self esteem among medical students and its association with religiosity. This online cross-sectional study was conducted among 178 International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan medical students using validated 10-items IIUM Religiosity Scale (IIUMReIS), and 10-items Rosenberg Self esteem Scale (RSES). Descriptive statistics was used to measure the level of self esteem while chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman’s correlation, univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore the association between self esteem with the predictors. More than half of the students (58.5%) have a high level of self esteem. They scored an average of 35 (IQR = 6) in terms of religiosity. Those with higher religiosity were predicted to have significantly high self esteem (r = 0.345). Other significant factor includes, frequency of voluntary prayer where daily practice has 0.3 lower odds of having low self esteem. (95% CI = 0.11, 0.85, p = 0.05) Majority of the students have a high level of self esteem. Implications suggest the role of religiosity and the impact of voluntary prayer. Early and consistent strengthening of self esteem via motivational, spiritual and religious programs may be advisable.
Downloads
References
Abdel-Khalek, A. (2016). Introduction to the Psychology of Self esteem. In F. Holloway (Ed.), Self esteem: Perspectives, influences, and improvement strategies. (Issue October 2016, pp. 1–23). Nova Science Publishers. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311440256_Introduction_to_the_Psychology_of_self esteem
Abdel-Khalek, A. M., & Singh, A. P. (2014). Religiosity , Subjective Well-Being and Anxiety in a Sample of Indian University Students = التدين و الرفاه و القلق لدى عينة من طلاب الجامعة الھنود. The Arab Journal of Psychiatry, 25(2), 201–208. https://doi.org/10.12816/0006768
Abdel-Khalek, Ahmed, & Tekke, M. (2019). The Association Between Religiosity, Well-Being, and Mental Health Among College Students From Malaysia. March.
Aboalshamat, K., Jawhari, A., Alotibi, S., Alzahrani, K., Al-Mohimeed, H., Alzahrani, M., & Rashedi, H. (2017). Relationship of self esteem with depression, anxiety, and stress among dental and medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Journal of International Medicine and Dentistry, 4, 61–68. https://doi.org/10.18320/JIMD/201704.0261
Acharya Pandey, R., & Chalise, H. N. (2017). Self esteem and Academic Stress among Nursing Students. Kathmandu University Medical Journal, 13(4), 298–302. https://doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v13i4.16827
Achour, M., Binti Abdul Ghani Azmi, I., Bin Isahak, M., Mohd Nor, M. R., & Mohd Yusoff, M. Y. Z. (2019). Job Stress and Nurses Well-Being: Prayer and Age as Moderators. Community Mental Health Journal, 55(7), 1226–1235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00410-y
Achour, M., Mohd Nor, M. R., Amel, B., Bin Seman, H. M., & MohdYusoff, M. Y. Z. (2017). Religious Commitment and its Relation to Happiness among Muslim Students: The Educational Level as Moderator. Journal of Religion and Health, 56(5), 1870–1889. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0361-9
Afsaneh, G., & Mitra, H. (2013). A study of the Impact of Fasting in Ramadan on Self esteem.
Aghababaei, N., & Tekke, M. (2018). The relations among well-being outcomes and motives, religiosity, and personality factors in Malaysian muslim university students. Journal of Research and Health, 8(6), 565–571. https://doi.org/10.29252/jrh.8.6.565
Ahmat, S. N., Muda, M. R., & Neoh, C. F. (2018). Self esteem level and its relationship to academic performance among undergraduate pharmacy students in a Malaysian public university. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 52(2), 197–201. https://doi.org/10.5530/ijper.52.2.21
AlMatrouk, L. (2016). The relationship between gender segregation in schools, self esteem, spiritual values/religion, and peer relations in Kuwait. Near and Middle Eastern Journal of Research in Education, 2016(1). https://doi.org/10.5339/nmejre.2016.3
Andam, R., ghorbanian rajabi, A., Benar, N., & Hosseini, S. (2013). The study of self esteem among volunteer and non volunteer in sport. International Research Journal of Applied and Basic Sciences, 4, 286–290.
Aradilla-Herrero, A., Tomás-Sábado, J., & Gómez-Benito, J. (2014). Associations between emotional intelligence, depression and suicide risk in nursing students. Nurse Education Today, 34(4), 520–525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2013.07.001
Basco, L. M., & Han, S.-H. (2016). Self esteem, Motivation, and Anxiety of Korean University Students. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 7(6), 1069. https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.0706.02
Boyd, J. E., Otilingam, P. G., & Deforge, B. R. (2014). Brief version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale: Psychometric properties and relationship to depression, self esteem, recovery orientation, empowerment, and perceived devaluation and discrimination. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 37(1), 17–23. https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000035
Ellor, J. W., & McGregor, J. A. (2011). Reflections on the Words “Religion,” “Spiritual Well-Being,” and “Spirituality.” Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 23(4), 275–278. https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2011.603074
Fakaruddin, F. N., & Tharbe, I. H. A. (2018). Self esteem and Emotional Intelligence among Students in a Public Higher Learning Institution in Malaysia. Proceedings of the Universitas Indonesia International Psychology Symposium for Undergraduate Research (UIPSUR 2017). https://doi.org/10.2991/uipsur-17.2018.36
Francis, B., Gill, J. S., Yit Han, N., Petrus, C. F., Azhar, F. L., Ahmad Sabki, Z., Said, M. A., Ong Hui, K., Chong Guan, N., & Sulaiman, A. H. (2019). Religious Coping, Religiosity, Depression and Anxiety among Medical Students in a Multi-Religious Setting. In International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Vol. 16, Issue 2). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16020259
French, D. C., Eisenberg, N., Vaughan, J., Purwono, U., & Suryanti, T. A. (2008). Religious involvement and the social competence and adjustment of Indonesian Muslim adolescents. Developmental Psychology, 44(2), 597–611. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.44.2.597
Gan, G.-G., & Yuen Ling, H. (2019). Anxiety, depression and quality of life of medical students in Malaysia. Med J Malaysia, 74(1), 57–61.
García, J. A., y Olmos, F. C., Matheu, M. L., & Carreño, T. P. (2019). Self esteem levels vs global scores on the Rosenberg self esteem scale. Heliyon, 5(3), e01378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01378
Ghafoor, H., Schulz, S. M., & Mohsin, H. (2018). Does religiosity ameliorate the negative impact of obsessive-compulsive disorder on self esteem? Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 21(2), 171–179. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2018.1458082
Ghezelbash, S., Rahmani, F., Peyrovi, H., Inanloo, M., & Shekarchian, S. (2015). Comparison of Self esteem Among First to Fourth Year Nursing Students From Universities of Medical Sciences in Tehran. Thrita, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.5812/thrita.24336
Haq, M. A. ul. (2016). Association Between Socio-Demographic Background and Self esteem of University Students. Psychiatric Quarterly, 87(4), 755–762. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-016-9423-5
Hong, O. S., Long, C. S., & Abdull Rahman, R. H. (2015). An Analysis on the Relationship between Parenting Styles and Self Esteem of Students of a University in Malaysia: A Case Study. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s3p300
Javanbakht, M., Ziaee, S. A., Homam, S. M., & Rahnama, A. L. I. (2010). EFFECT OF RAMADAN FASTING ON SELF ESTEEM AND MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS. JOURNAL OF FUNDAMENTALS OF MENTAL HEALTH, 11(4 (44)), 266–273. https://www.sid.ir/en/journal/ViewPaper.aspx?id=197135
Khan, R., Waheed, A., & Hassan, R. (2019). Impact of Islamic Practices on the Mental Health of Muslims. International Dental & Medical Journal of Advanced Research, 05, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.15713/ins.idmjar.99
Khan, Z. H., Muqaddas, F., & Mehboob, M. (2018). Relationship between Quranic practices, religious orientation & psychological wellbeing.
Krauss, S., Hamzah, A., Rumaya, J., & Hamid, J. (2005). The Muslim Religiosity-Personality Inventory (MRPI): Towards Understanding Differences in the Islamic Religiosity among the Malaysian Youth.
Lowe, J., & Harris, L. M. (2019). A Comparison of Death Anxiety, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Self esteem as Predictors of Social Anxiety Symptoms. Behaviour Change, 36(3), 165–179. https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2019.11
Mahudin, N., Noor, N., Dzulkifli, M., & Janon, N. (2016). Religiosity among Muslims: A Scale Development and Validation Study. Hubs-Asia, 20(2), 109. https://doi.org/10.7454/mssh.v20i2.480
Maltby, J., Lewis, C. A., & Day, L. (1999). Religious orientation and psychological well-being: The role of the frequency of personal prayer. British Journal of Health Psychology, 4(4), 363–378. https://doi.org/10.1348/135910799168704
Markstrom, C. A. (1999). Religious involvement and adolescent psychosocial development. Journal of Adolescence, 22(2), 205–221.
Mohammadzadeh, M., Awang, H., Kadir Shahar, H., & Ismail, S. (2018). Emotional Health and Self esteem Among Adolescents in Malaysian Orphanages. Community Mental Health Journal, 54(1), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0128-5
Moreira de Sousa, J., Moreira, C. A., & Telles-Correia, D. (2018). Anxiety, Depression and Academic Performance: A Study Amongst Portuguese Medical Students Versus Non-Medical Students. Acta Médica Portuguesa, 31(9), 454. https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.9996
Nawawi, I. (2014). Riyad As-Salihin: The Gardens of the Righteous. Blue Dome, Incorporated. https://books.google.com.my/books?id=uoeAoAEACAAJ
Park, J. Y., & Park, E. Y. (2019). The Rasch Analysis of Rosenberg Self esteem Scale in Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(September), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01992
Peterson-Graziose, V., Bryer, J., & Nikolaidou, M. (2013). Self esteem and Self-Efficacy as Predictors of Attrition in Associate Degree Nursing Students. Journal of Nursing Education, 52(6), 351–354. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20130520-01
Rosenberg, M. (1965). Rosenberg Self esteem Scale. In Acceptance and commitment therapy. Measures package. https://doi.org/10.32388/bcazmm
Rosli, Y., Othman, H., Ishak, I., Lubis, S. H., Saat, N. Z. M., & Omar, B. (2012). Self esteem and Academic Performance Relationship Amongst the Second Year Undergraduate Students of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Campus. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 60, 582–589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.09.426
Sa’ari, C. Z., & Harun, N. U. (2018). Self esteem in Shaping Youth Personality from Islamic Psycho-Spiritual Perspective. Journal of Usuluddin, 46(1), 71–86. https://doi.org/10.22452/usuluddin.vol46no1.4
Sa, B., Ojeh, N., Majumder, M. A. A., Nunes, P., Williams, S., Rao, S. R., & Youssef, F. F. (2019). The Relationship Between Self esteem, Emotional Intelligence, and Empathy Among Students From Six Health Professional Programs. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 31(5), 536–543. https://doi.org/10.1080/10401334.2019.1607741
Sakellari, E., Psychogiou, M., Georgiou, A., Papanidi, M., Vlachou, V., & Sapountzi-Krepia, D. (2018). Exploring Religiosity, Self esteem, Stress, and Depression Among Students of a Cypriot University. Journal of Religion and Health, 57(1), 136–145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0410-4
Salarvand, S., Bagheri, Z., Keshvari, M., Dalvand, P., & Ghanei Gheshlagh, R. (2018). The prevalence of internet addiction and its relations to the self esteem and life satisfaction in students of a medical university. Acta Medica Iranica, 56, 392–397.
Salleh, S., Embong, R., Noruddin, N., & Kamaruddin, Z. (2015). Spiritual coping strategies from the Islamic worlview. International Conference on Empowering Islamic Civilization in the 21st Century, September, 136–150.
Sarı, S. A., Bilek, G., & Çelik, E. (2018). Test anxiety and self esteem in senior high school students: a cross-sectional study. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 72(2), 84–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2017.1389986
Schmitt, D. P., & Allik, J. (2005). Simultaneous Administration of the Rosenberg Self esteem Scale in 53 Nations: Exploring the Universal and Culture-Specific Features of Global Self esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89(4), 623–642. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.89.4.623
Seigel, W. M., Golden, N. H., Gough, J. W., Lashley, M. S., & Sacker, I. M. (1990). Depression, self esteem, and life events in adolescents with chronic diseases. Journal of Adolescent Health Care, 11(6), 501–504. https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-0070(90)90110-N
Sherina, M. S., Rampal, L., Loh, J. W., Chan, C. L., Teh, P. C., & Tan, P. O. (2008). Self esteem and its associated factors among secondary school students in Klang District, Selangor. The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 63(1), 26–30. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18935727
Van Houtte, M. (2005). Global Self esteem in Technical/Vocational Versus General Secondary School Tracks: A Matter of Gender? Sex Roles, 53(9–10), 753–761. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-005-7739-y
Yaacob, S. N., Juhari, R., Talib, M. A., & Uba, I. (2009). Loneliness, stress, self esteem and depression among Malaysian adolescents.
Yusoff, M. S. B., Abdul Rahim, A. F., & Yaacob, M. J. (2010). Prevalence and Sources of Stress among Universiti Sains Malaysia Medical Students. The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences : MJMS, 17(1), 30–37. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22135523
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2021 Azwanis Abdul Hadi, Amirah Amiruddin, Nurul Fitri Mustapa, Muhammadi ‘Adil Zainal Abidin
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
If the article is accepted for publication, the copyright of this article will be vested to author(s) and granted the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, unless otherwise stated. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.
