Peer Support and Hope as Predictors of Life Satisfaction among Malaysian University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Wong, Janice Yi (2022) Peer Support and Hope as Predictors of Life Satisfaction among Malaysian University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Peer Support and Hope as Predictors of Life Satisfaction. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the difference in life satisfaction among Malaysian male and female university students in the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, it also aimed to examine whether peer support and hope predict life satisfaction among Malaysian university students in the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 150 Malaysian university students (75 males, 75 females) with different levels of education were recruited through the snowball sampling method. The participants were asked to answer a survey questionnaire, consisting of Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Adult Hope Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. An independent t-test and a multiple regression analysis were conducted. The findings showed that there was a marginally significant difference in life satisfaction among Malaysian male and female university students in the COVID-19 pandemic, with males (M = 24.57, SD = 6.35) reported higher life satisfaction than females (M = 22.05, SD = 6.71), t(148) = 2.361, p < .05. Besides, hope significantly predicted life satisfaction [β= .412, t(146) = 5.388, p < .001], whereas peer support did not significantly predict life satisfaction [β= .142, t(146) = 1.854, p > .05]. These findings from Malaysian university students complemented past studies in the field and inform practical efforts to promote hope-related interventions among the younger generation.