Association between depression, anxiety, stress and perceived quality of life in a Malaysian B40 urban community during the COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-sectional study

Background: In Malaysia, B40 communities are those with a median monthly household earning of under RM 3166. With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown, livelihoods in these areas has been severely impacted. This increased their vulnerability to psychological afflictions led poorer perception quality life (QoL) comparison rest population. We investigated association between perceived levels depression, anxiety stress impact on among residents low-cost urban housing area Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted July 2020 February 2021 Seri Pantai settlement. The validated Malay versions anxiety, scale-21 (DASS-21) World Health Organization Quality Life, brief (WHOQOL-BREF) were distributed participants using Google forms. statistical significance subscales QoL domains assessed Pearson’s correlation test. Results: Of 180 participants, the majority Malays (87.2%) females (82.2%). average scores highest for (5.66 ± 4.59) score environment domain (59.27 17.23) lowest. A statistically significant negative found DASS-21 four QoL, social relationships showing highly (p < 0.001). strongest observed depression (r= -.520) followed by -.496). Conclusion: depression. suggests need address potential devastating mental health consequences its effect communities.