Level of Self Esteem Among Medical Students in International Islamic University Malaysia Kuantan (IIUM) and Its Association With Religiosity

Authors

  • Azwanis Abdul Hadi International Islamic University Malaysia
  • Amirah Amiruddin International Islamic University Malaysia
  • Nurul Fitri Mustapa International Islamic University Malaysia
  • Muhammadi ‘Adil Zainal Abidin International Islamic University Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33102/uij.vol33no2.309

Keywords:

medical students, self-esteem, mental health, religion, prayer, Islam

Abstract

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.

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Author Biographies

Azwanis Abdul Hadi, International Islamic University Malaysia

Department of Family Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Email: azwanis@iium.edu.my

Amirah Amiruddin, International Islamic University Malaysia

Department of Family Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Email: amiranoramir@gmail.com

Nurul Fitri Mustapa, International Islamic University Malaysia

Department of Family Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Muhammadi ‘Adil Zainal Abidin, International Islamic University Malaysia

Department of Community Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Email: adilza@iium.edu.my

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Published

2020-08-02

How to Cite

Abdul Hadi, A., Amiruddin, A., Mustapa, N. F., & Zainal Abidin, . M. ‘Adil. (2020). Level of Self Esteem Among Medical Students in International Islamic University Malaysia Kuantan (IIUM) and Its Association With Religiosity. Ulum Islamiyyah, 33(2), 17–35. https://doi.org/10.33102/uij.vol33no2.309