Do psychology students matter to the society? Social support and their fear of failure

Abstract

The surge in demand for psychology professionals is followed by a similar rise in the intake of psychology students. Nevertheless, many psychology students suffer from the maladaptive fear that they will experience failure in their studies or future profession. Past studies suggested that their fear of failure (FOF) can be mitigated through social support, yet students across different educational levels may perceive such support differently. This research aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3) (good health and well-being) and SDG 4 (quality education) by addressing psychological well-being and supportive learning conditions that enhance students’ academic and professional readiness. Purposive sampling was conducted to recruit 138 psychology students from all levels (Diploma, Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate) from universities in Malaysia and Indonesia. Data were collected using the online versions of the Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory, General Mattering Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, along with demographic questions and an informed consent form. Data analysis employed the Bootstrap method at 5,000 resampling with a 95% confidence interval using PROCESS Macro Model 59 for moderated mediation. The results suggested that mattering significantly and fully mediated the contribution of perceived social support to the development of FOF, and that education level did not significantly moderate the mediation, as the effect occurred among students at all levels. Limitations and suggestions are discussed.