Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological status of the general population in mainland China during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to explore the factors influencing psychological distress, in order to provide the basis for further psychological intervention programs.MethodsWe administered three questionnaires on-line to a convenience sample of the general population from different regions of mainland China from February 1 to February 4, 2020. We used the Mandarin versions of the six-item Kessler psychological distress scale (K6), the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). We also collected demographic data and other information related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing psychological distress.ResultsOf 1607 respondents, 1588 returned valid questionnaires and were included in the analysis. Nearly one quarter (22.8%) had high levels of psychological distress (K6 score ≥ 13). Individuals with higher psychological distress were more likely to be unmarried, spend more than 6 h per day searching for information about COVID-19, more frequently adopt a passive coping style, and report less social support than those with lower psychological distress.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 outbreak in China has a great impact on the mental health status of the general population. Active coping strategies and increased social support are significantly correlated with decreased psychological distress, and may serve as the basis for psychological interventions.
Highlights
The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological status of the general population in mainland China during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to explore the factors influencing psychological distress, in order to provide the basis for further psychological intervention programs
Fewer than a quarter of participants (16.12%) were suspected of having COVID-19, 20.34% had a history of contact with the epidemic area, and 20.84% lived in communities where COVID-19 cases had been reported
Among those without suspected infection, factors significantly associated with high psychological distress were unmarried status, spending > 6 h per day searching for information about COVID-19, a passive coping style and lower social support
Summary
The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological status of the general population in mainland China during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to explore the factors influencing psychological distress, in order to provide the basis for further psychological intervention programs. An outbreak of infections of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), initially called novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), began on December 8, 2019, when several cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology were reported in Wuhan in Hubei Province of China [1]. At the end of January 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak in China as a public health emergency of international concern. Infectious diseases cause significant psychological distress, both in the general public and in health professionals [4]. The emergence of COVID-19 has parallels with the pandemic of human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak and the threat of an avian influenza pandemic, all of which caused substantial concern among health authorities, the media, and the general public [5]. The best strategies to respond to mental health challenges during the outbreak remain unknown
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