Mental health status of Chinese residents and its associated factors in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

• Published in: Heliyon Vol. 10; no. 18; p. e37697
• Main Authors: Li, Zhijing, Dong, Yuan, Jin, Huizi, Gu, Haihua, Sun, Xinying, Cao, Juan, Ji, Ying
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 30.09.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Coping style; COVID-19; Mental health; Public health events; Social support; COVID-19; Coping style; Public health events; Mental health; Social support
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37697

During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous studies focused on mental health, but few considered both positive and negative aspects within the dual-factor model of psychological well-being. In China, a highly populous country, limited evidence exists regarding mental health and its associated factors following the surge and decline of COVID-19 cases after the loosening of COVID-19 control measures. This study aims to investigate the mental health status of Chinese residents in the aftermath of the pandemic and factors influencing positive and negative indicators using the System-Based Model of Stress. A cross-sectional online survey of 1,026 participants was conducted in China from March 2–31, 2023, using quota sampling. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to test the conceptual model, where social support, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, pandemic-related events, coping style, and concern about COVID-19 were considered as predictors, and psychological distress and subjective well-being as outcomes. The results revealed high prevalence rates of psychological distress (23 %) with either of anxiety (15 %) or depression (20 %), and poor subjective well-being (23 %) among Chinese residents after the COVID-19 pandemic. Social support was negatively correlated with psychological distress, and negative coping style, pandemic-related events, and concern about COVID-19 were positively correlated with psychological distress. Moreover, social support was positively correlated with subjective well-being, and negative coping style and pandemic-related events were negatively correlated with subjective well-being. These findings enhance our understanding of the differing correlates of positive and negative mental health, suggesting targeted psychological interventions for post-pandemic and future public health events.