Gaining distance learning effectiveness through mental health improvement during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of patience

Abstract

Nowadays, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted communities' mental health worldwide. Therefore, studies on minimizing the pandemic's mental health impact are urgently needed. This study aimed to examine the role of patience on distance learners' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. A correlational study was conducted involving a total of 330 university students of distance learners, and they were selected using stratified random sampling. The Patience Scale (PS-11) was used to measure interpersonal patience, life hardships patience, and daily hassles patience. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were used to measure mental health from the aspects of depression, anxiety, and stress. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and multiple regression. The study showed that life hardships and patience were predictors of reducing depression and anxiety. Besides that, life hardships patience and interpersonal patience were predictors of reducing stress, and the main contributing factor was life hardships patience. This study contributes to humanistic therapy theories and their practical implications. It also contributes to developing the national mental health policy strategy, Ministry of Health Malaysia, and Sustainable Development Goals 2030.