The evaluation of an Online peer support group on the levels of internal and external self-confidence among undergraduate students during Covid-19 pandemic: a Bandura’s Theory of Self-Efficacy Approach

• Main Authors: Kamal Ariffin, Nurul Afiqah, Waisulqrnai, Siti Adibah, Ahmad Fisal, Nur Sakinah Habibah, Syed Lohikmal Hakim, Sharifah Amirah Fikriyyah, Azman, Intan Nur Athirah, Safarazi, Siti Nur Fatehah, Sharif, Shafiqah Nadhrah, Abdul Penyu, Mohd Izzati Rezuan, Lourdunathan, Pamilia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: IIUM Press, International Islamic University Malaysia 2022
• Subjects: BPL Islamic education; HM1106 Interpersonal relations. Social behavior
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/105377/1/105377_The%20Evaluation%20of%20an%20Online%20Peer%20Support.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/105377/; https://journals.iium.edu.my/irkh/index.php/ijohs/article/view/236/147

The Covid-19 pandemic had a great impact on individuals of all walks of life in the aspect of psychosocial functioning particularly those from a B40 background as well as students. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a psycho socio-spiritual educational support group using the Bandura’s Theory of Self-Efficacy approach on the levels of internal and external self-confidence among 4th-year undergraduate IIUM students during the Covid-19 pandemic. It also aims to identify the issues of self-confidence from the participants during Covid-19. Seven 4th-year IIUM undergraduate students have been interviewed to identify the self-confidence issues and 22 participants (N=22) from the age of 22 to 24 years old were recruited via purposive sampling method to participate in the online peer support group. The present study used a mixed-method, exploratory approach with a quasi-experimental one-group pre-test-post-test design and a qualitative design. Two questionnaires have been utilized, the internal and external self-confidence scale by Kelsey Evelyn Perkins, and in-depth interviews employed five open-ended questions. The Likert scales consisted of 12-items that required participants to rate from 1“strongly disagree to 7 “strongly agree.” Data were analysed qualitatively by thematic analysis and quantitatively using Paired Sample T-test computed in the 26.0 version of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) with a P-value <0.5 considered statistically significant. There was a statistically significant increase in Internal Self Confidence pre-test score (M=55.64, SD=9.459) to Post-test (M=69.55, SD=9.012), t(21)=5.670, p<0.05 (two-tailed). There was also an increment for External Self Confidence pre-test score, (M= 41.00, SD=10.156) and post-test (M=50.18, SD=13.800), t(21)=3.217, p<0.05 (two-tailed) after the implementation of the online peer support group among undergraduate students during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the current research, peer support might be a helpful tool to improve self-confidence among undergraduate students and broaden its function as a coping mechanism to improve the quality of life and well-being. The findings of this research will also shed light on the use of Bandura’s Theory of Self-Efficacy in the fostering of Internal and External Self-confidence.