Volume 18 (2025) Download Cover Page

Predictors of Psychological Well-being among Malaysian EFL University Students: Resilience and Self-Regulation

Article Number: e2025486  |  Available Online: September 2025  |  DOI: 10.22521/edupij.2025.18.486

Yueh Yea Lo , Kenneth Leow , Serena Leow , Elizabeth Gilpin

Abstract

Background/purpose. The transition to tertiary education presents a critical adjustment period that demands adaptability and resilience from university students. In Malaysian universities, where English is the primary language of instruction, non-native English-speaking students often encounter difficulties in using the language effectively in academic settings. These language-related challenges can increase stress and adversely affect students’ psychological well-being. Grounded in the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study examines the roles of resilience coping and autonomous self-regulation in predicting psychological well-being among first-year non-native English-speaking university students in Malaysia.

Materials/methods. A cross-sectional survey design was employed with a sample of 404 first-year students from universities in Selangor, Malaysia. Participants completed a confidential self-report questionnaire measuring psychological well-being, autonomous self-regulation, and resilient coping. Data were analyzed using bivariate correlation and hierarchical regression analyses to explore the relationships among the variables.

Results. The results revealed significant positive correlations between psychological well-being and both autonomous regulation and resilient coping. Additionally, a strong association was found between autonomous regulation and resilient coping. Hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that both predictors significantly contributed to psychological well-being, with resilient coping emerging as the stronger predictor. Autonomous regulation accounted for 15% of the variance in psychological well-being, and together, the predictors explained 29% of the variance.

Conclusion. This study highlights the importance of fostering autonomous motivation and resilience to support the well-being of first-year non-native English-speaking students. While limited by sample diversity, findings suggest broader relevance beyond Malaysia. Future longitudinal and cross-cultural research is needed. By promoting coping skills, universities can help students sustain resilience and psychological health amid academic and language challenges.  

Keywords: Autonomous self-regulation, coping, non-native English speakers, psychological well-being, resilience

References

Artuch-Garde, R., González-Torres, M. D. C., de La Fuente, J., Vera, M. M., Fernández-Cabezas, M., & López-García, M. (2017). Relationship between resilience and self-regulation: a study of Spanish youth at risk of social exclusion. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 612. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00612

Aziz, A. A., & Kashinathan, S. (2021). ESL learners’ challenges in speaking English in Malaysian classroom. Development, 10(2), 983-991. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v10-i2/10355

Black, A. E., & Deci, E. L. (2000). The effects of instructors' autonomy support and students' autonomous motivation on learning organic chemistry: A self‐determination theory perspective. Science education, 84(6), 740-756. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-237X(200011)84:6<740::AID-SCE4>3.0.CO;2-3

Brown, K.W., & Ryan, R.M. (2015). A self-determination theory perspective on fostering healthy self-regulation from within and without. In Joseph, S. (Ed.), Positive psychology in practice: Promoting human flourishing in work, health, education, and everyday life (pp. 139–158). Revised edition. Chichester: Wiley.

Champ, R. E., Adamou, M., & Tolchard, B. (2023). Seeking connection, autonomy, and emotional feedback: A self-determination theory of self-regulation in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Psychological Review, 130(3), 569–603. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000398

Che Rahimi, A., Bakar, R. S., & Mohd Yasin, M. A. (2021). Psychological wellbeing of Malaysian university students during covid-19 pandemic: Do religiosity and religious coping matter? Healthcare, 9(11), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9111535

Chue, J. S. X., & Cheung, H. S. (2023). Mental resilience enhances the well-being of Singaporean college students through reducing burnout. Current Psychology, 42(1), 519-528. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01481-5

Dardjito, H., Rolls, N., Setiawan, A., & Sumekto, D. R. (2023). Challenges in reading English academic texts for non-English major students of an Indonesian university. Studies in English Language and Education, 10(3), 1290-1309. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v10i3.29067

Denckla, C. A., Cicchetti, D., Kubzansky, L. D., Seedat, S., Teicher, M. H., Williams, D. R., & Koenen, K. C. (2020). Psychological resilience: An update on definitions, a critical appraisal, and research recommendations. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 11(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2020.1822064

Dyer, J. G., & McGuinness, T. M. (1996). Resilience: Analysis of the concept. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 10(5), 276-282. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9417(96)80036-7

Fu, C. X., Leow, K., Yap, C. K., Leow, S., Lo, Y. Y., & Woon, C. O. (2025). “Do as I say”. The impact of perceived conditional regard on academic performance: a moderated mediation model. Cogent Social Sciences, 11(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2025.2474862

Fullerton, D. J., Zhang, L. M., & Kleitman, S. (2021). An integrative process model of resilience in an academic context: Resilience resources, coping strategies, and positive adaptation. Plos One, 16(2), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246000

Ginanjar, A., Solihin, A. O., Supriadi, D., & Karisman, V. A. (2021). College student motivation uses the cooperative learning model in terms of gender and motivational autonomy that affect. Kinestetik: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Jasmani, 5(3), 482-494. https://doi.org/10.33369/jk.v5i3.17265

Gey, J. W., Yap, C. K., Leow, K., & Lo, Y. Y. (2025). Resilience as a mediator between emotional intelligence (EI) and perceived stress among young adults in Malaysia. Discover Mental Health, 37, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00166-w

Guay, F. (2022). Applying self-determination theory to education: Regulations types, psychological needs, and autonomy supporting behaviors. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 37(1), 75-92. https://doi.org/10.1177/08295735211055355

Haydon, K. C., & Salvatore, J. E. (2022). Self-regulation predicts mental health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic: a prospective study. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 41(1), 1-29. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2021.40.6.1

Kamaludin, K., Chinna, K., Sundarasen, S., Khoshaim, H. B., Nurunnabi, M., Baloch, G. M., Sukayt, A., & Hossain, S. F. A. (2020). Coping with COVID-19 and movement control order (MCO): experiences of university students in Malaysia. Heliyon, 6(11), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05339

Kunzler, A. M., Helmreich, I., Chmitorz, A., König, J., Binder, H., Wessa, M., & Lieb, K. (2020). Psychological interventions to foster resilience in healthcare professionals. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 7, 1-433. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012527.pub2

Leow, S., Leow, K., & Ean, C. L. C. (2023). Satisfaction of basic psychological needs and eudaimonic wellbeing among first-year university students. Cogent Social Sciences, 9(2), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2275441

Luo, W., & Mohammed, J. (2023). Mental health status and coping strategies of Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid review. Plos One, 18(12), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0296309

Manjula, M., & Srivastava, A. (2022). Resilience: concepts, approaches, indicators, and interventions for sustainability of positive mental health. In Handbook of health and well-being: Challenges, strategies and future trends (pp. 607-636). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.

Munshi, A., Biswas, G., Baker, R., Ocumpaugh, J., Hutt, S., & Paquette, L. (2023). Analysing adaptive scaffolds that help students develop self‐regulated learning behaviours. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 39(2), 351-368. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12761

Nakhostin-Khayyat, M., Borjali, M., Zeinali, M., Fardi, D., & Montazeri, A. (2024). The relationship between self-regulation, cognitive flexibility, and resilience among students: a structural equation modeling. BMC Psychology, 12(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01843-1

Niemiec, R. M. (2020). Six functions of character strengths for thriving at times of adversity and opportunity: A theoretical perspective. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 15(2), 551-572. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-018-9692-2

Noman, M., Kaur, A., & Nafees, N. (2021). Covid-19 fallout: Interplay between stressors and support on academic functioning of Malaysian university students. Children and Youth Services Review, 125, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106001

Panagou, C., & MacBeth, A. (2022). Deconstructing pathways to resilience: A systematic review of associations between psychosocial mechanisms and transdiagnostic adult mental health outcomes in the context of adverse childhood experiences. Clinical psychology & Psychotherapy, 29(5), 1626 1654. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2732

Patangia, B., Sathiyaseelan, A., Balasundaram, S., Chaudhury, S., Chaudhry, N., & Jaiprakash, R. (2023). Work-Cognition and Subjective Well-being Among Female Professional Educators During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Moderating Role of Resilience. Business Perspectives and Research, 22785337231182252. https://doi.org/10.1177/22785337231182252

Pintrich, P. R. (2000). The role of goal orientation in self-regulated learning. In Handbook of self-regulation (pp. 451-502). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

Ragusa, A., González-Bernal, J., Trigueros, R., Caggiano, V., Navarro, N., Minguez- Minguez, L. A., Obregon, A. I., & Fernandez-Ortega, C. (2023). Effects of academic self-regulation on procrastination, academic stress and anxiety, resilience and academic performance in a sample of Spanish secondary school students. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1073529

Riepenhausen, A., Wackerhagen, C., Reppmann, Z. C., Deter, H. C., Kalisch, R., Veer, I. M., & Walter, H. (2022). Positive cognitive reappraisal in stress resilience, mental health, and wellbeing: A comprehensive systematic review. Emotion Review, 14(4), 310-331. https://doi.org/10.1177/17540739221114642

Rosli, A. M., & Bakar, A. Y. A. (2021). The mental health state and psychological well-being of school teachers during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. Bisma The Journal of Counseling, 5(3), 182-195. https://doi.org/10.23887/bisma.v5i3.42015

Roth, G., Vansteenkiste, M., & Ryan, R. M. (2019). Integrative emotion regulation: Process and development from a self-determination theory perspective. Development and Psychopathology, 31(3), 945-956. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579419000403

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions. Contemporary educational psychology, 61, 101860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101860

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and wellbeing. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68

Ryff, C. D., & Keyes, C. L. M. (1995). The Structure of Psychological Wellbeing Revisited. Journal Personality and Social Psychology, 69(4), 719-727. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.69.4.719

Schunk, D. H., & Zimmerman, B. J. (2023). Self-regulation in education: Retrospect and prospect. In Self-regulation of learning and performance (pp. 305-314). Routledge.

Sia, J. K. M., Chin, W. L., Voon, M. L., Adamu, A. A., & Tan, S. C. K. (2023). Transitioning from online teaching to blended teaching in the post-pandemic era: What has COVID-19 taught us? Cogent Education, 10(2), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2282313

Sinclair, V. G., & Wallston, K. A. (2004). The development and psychometric evaluation of the brief resilient coping scale. Assessment, 11(1), 94-101. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191103258144

Smith, G. D., & Yang, F. (2017). Stress, resilience and psychological well-being in Chinese undergraduate nursing students. Nurse Education Today, 49, 90-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2016.10.004

Sinnasamy, J., & Karim, N. H. A. (2014). A correlational study of foreign language anxiety and library anxiety among non-native speakers of English: A case study in a Malaysian Public University. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 40(5), 431-435. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2014.07.010

Trisnawati, S. & Rahimi, N. M. (2022). The Role of Self-regulated Learning in Coping with Postgraduate Students Academic Procrastination During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia. Muslim Education Review, 1(1), 85-105. https://journal.uiii.ac.id/index.php/mer

Vansteenkiste, M., Ryan, R. M., & Soenens, B. (2020). Basic psychological need theory: Advancements, critical themes, and future directions. Motivation and Emotion, 44(1), 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-019-09818-1

Wesarg-Menzel, C., Ebbes, R., Hensums, M., Wagemaker, E., Zaharieva, M. S., Staaks, J. P., ... & Wiers, R. W. (2023). Development and socialization of self-regulation from infancy to adolescence: A meta-review differentiating between self-regulatory abilities, goals, and motivation. Developmental Review, 69, 101090. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2023.101090

Wu, Y., Yu, W., Wu, X., Wan, H., Wang, Y., & Lu, G. (2020). Psychological resilience and positive coping styles among Chinese undergraduate students: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychology, 8, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-020-00444-y

Ye, Z., Yang, X., Zeng, C., Wang, Y., Shen, Z., Li, X., & Lin, D. (2020). Resilience, social support, and coping as mediators between COVID‐19‐related stressful experiences and acute stress disorder among college students in China. Applied Psychology: Health and Wellbeing, 12(4): 1074-1094. doi:10.1111/aphw.12211

Zainal Badri, S. K., & Wan Mohd Yunus, W. M. A. (2022). The relationship between academic vs. family/personal role conflict and Malaysian students’ psychological wellbeing during COVID-19 lockdown. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 46(1), 76-88. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2021.1884210

Zamroni, E., Awlawi, A. H., & Kasau, M. N. R. (2022). Achievement Motivation, Emotional Intelligence and Self-Regulation and Its Impact on Student Academic Resilience in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era; a Path Analysis. Journal of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory, 25, 1-8.

Zhao, L., Sznajder, K., Cheng, D., Wang, S., Cui, C., & Yang, X. (2021). Coping styles for mediating the effect of resilience on depression among medical students in web-based classes during the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional questionnaire study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(6), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.2196/25259

Zimmerman, B. J., Greenberg, D., & Weinstein, C. E. (2023). Self-Regulating Academic Study Time: A strategy approach. In D. H. Schunk, & B. J. Zimmerman (Eds.), Self-Regulation of Learning and Performance (pp. 181-199). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203763353-8