31 Mar Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China
Cuiyan Wang, Riyu Pan, Xiaoyang Wan, Yilin Tan, Linkang Xu, Cyrus S. Ho and Roger C. Ho
ABSTRACT
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic is a public health emergency of international concern and poses a challenge to psychological resilience. Research data is needed to develop evidence-based strategies to reduce the impact of adverse psychological and psychiatric symptoms during the epidemic.
The aim of this study was to conduct a survey of the general public in China to better understand the level of psychological impact, anxiety, depression and stress during the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. The data will be used for future reference.
Methods: From January 31 to February 2, 2020, an online survey was conducted using the snowball sampling technique.
The online survey collected information on demographics, physical symptoms in the past 14 days, COVID-19 contact history, COVID-19 knowledge and concerns, COVID-19 precautionary measures, and additional required information. regarding COVID-19.
Psychological impact was assessed by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and mental health status was assessed by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21).
Results: This study included 1.210 respondents from 194 cities in China.
- In total, 53.8% of respondents rated the psychological impact of the outbreak as moderate or severe.
- 16.5% reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms.
- 28,8% reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms.
- 8.1% reported moderate to severe stress levels.
- Most of those surveyed spent from 20 to 24 hours per day at home (84,7%)
- 72,2% were concerned about their relatives infected by COVID-19
- 75,1% were satisfied with the amount of health information available
- Being female, being a student, having specific physical symptoms (eg, myalgia, dizziness), and self-reported poor health were significantly associated with greater psychological impact of the outbreak and higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (p <0.05).
- Having accurate and up-to-date information (eg, treatment, local outbreak situation) and taking precautionary measures (eg, hand hygiene, wearing a mask) were associated with less psychological impact of the outbreak and lower levels of stress , anxiety and depression (p <0.05).
Conclusions: During the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, more than half of the respondents rated the psychological impact as moderate to severe, and about a third reported moderate to severe anxiety.
Our findings identify factors associated with a lower level of psychological impact and better mental health status that can be used to develop psychological interventions that improve the mental health of vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 epidemic.