UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA (UiTM), SHAH ALAM

SEMESTER 4 SESI 2021

MARCH – JULY 2023

PSY 563 PSYCHOLOGY & INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

TITLE
DISCUSSING ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGY IN THE POST COVID-19 ERA

LECTURER’S NAME
SITI HUMAIRA BINTI RAMLI

PREPARED BY
MUHAMMAD ZIKKRU THAQIB BIN SALEHODDIN (2021878326)

CLASS
NADG4A-CAAD241
Impact of the Covid-19 Lockdown in Malaysia:
An Examination of the Psychological Well-Being of Parent-Child Dyads and Child Behaviour in
Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum.

BACKGROUND

The shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on children on the autism
spectrum and their families, especially in Malaysia. Where this population is often marginalized. The
current quantitative research aims to investigate the impact of Malaysia's COVID-19 lockdown on the
behaviour and psychological distress of children officially diagnosed with Autism Spectrum
Conditions (ASC) as well as their parents' psychological distress and well-being, in comparison to a
typically developing as a (TD) control group .

METHOD

Children's age between 5 and 17 years old. The sample included 72 ASC parent child dyads and 62 TD
parent child dyads. Primary caregivers completed an online survey including the following:
demographic and diagnostic information, symptoms of ASC, childhood inattention,
hyperactivity/impulsivity, perceived stress, depression, and anxiety, stress, and well-being of parents
based on experiences before and during the lockdown (March 18 to June 9, 2020) in Malaysia.

RESULTS

Among the ASC group, no significant pre and mid lockdown changes were found in ASC symptoms to
(p > 0.05). There were no significant gender differences , male or female . In all child scales. 2
[diagnosis (ASC, TD)] × 2 [lockdown (pre-lockdown, mid-lockdown)] mixed model ANOVA revealed
main effects of lockdown on child attention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, anxiety, and stress, parent-
perceived depression, and psychological .There were main effects of diagnosis in all child and parent
variables, except parent perceived . However, there was no significant interaction effect between
diagnosis and locking . All child behaviours (inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive) and child
psychological distress (anxiety, depression, and perceived stress) were significantly correlated in both
the ASC and TD groups. On the other hand, only some parent variables had significant correlations
with child variables (p < 0.0045) in the ASC group while no parent variables had significant
correlations with child variables (p > 0.005) in the TD group.
CONCLUSION

The results to provide preliminary evidence showing the negative impact of the Malaysian closure on
both children to autism spectrum and TD children, as well as their parents. These quantitative results
will be triangulated with qualitative interview data to provide a holistic understanding of the impact
of the outbreak, informing translational policy and practice recommendations.

SOLUTION

Each individual with ASC in unique, the strategy to work for one person may not working for
another . It is important to consider the specific needs and preferences of individual with ASD and
tailor support. Consulting with healthcare professionals, therapists and autism organizations can
provide many guidance on managing the impact of Covid-19 on individuals with ASD. Caregivers play
a main role to supporting individual with ASD. It is essential to provide them with resources,
information and emotional support. Also Online forums, webinars and virtual support groups can
connect parents and caregiver to allowing them to share experiences,strategies and coping
mechanisms.