Media exposure predicts acute stress and probable acute stress disorder during the early COVID-19 outbreak in China

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 has led to unprecedented psychological stress on the general public. However, the associations between media exposure to COVID-19 and acute stress responses have not been explored during the early COVID-19 outbreak in China. Methods An online survey was conducted to investigate the relationships between media exposure to COVID-19 and acute stress responses, and to recognize associated predictors of acute stress responses on a sample of 1,450 Chinese citizens from February 3 to February 10, 2020. Media exposure questionnaire related to COVID-19 was developed to assess media exposure time, media exposure forms and media exposure content. The Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire (SASRQ) was used to measure acute stress responses, including continuous acute stress symptom scores and the risk of probable acute stress disorder (ASD). A series of regression analyses were conducted. Results Longer media exposure time and social media use were associated with higher acute stress and probable ASD. Viewing the situation of infected patients was associated with higher acute stress, whereas viewing the latest news about pandemic data was associated with lower odds of probable ASD. Being females, living in Hubei Province, someone close to them diagnosed with COVID-19, history of mental illness, recent adverse life events and previous collective trauma exposure were risk factors for acute stress responses. Conclusions These findings confirmed the associations between indirect media exposure to pandemic events and acute stress responses. The governments should be aware of the negative impacts of disaster-related media exposure and implement appropriate interventions to promote psychological well-being following pandemic events.

Longitudinal study of mental health changes in residents affected by an initial outbreak of COVID-19 in China

“…We also found that the subjects with a history of psychosis at T1 might experience more symptoms of stress, and those with a history of psychosis at T4 showed more symptoms not only of stress but also of anxiety and depression. Luo et al also found that a history of mental illness was a risk factor for acute stress responses ( 54 ), and the outbreak of this pandemic was undoubtedly a crisis for those with a history of mental illness, which could affect their access to medical treatment and worsen their mental symptoms ( 5 ). Many of these individuals developed psychosis 1.5 years after the initial outbreak.…”

Perspective Chapter: The Psychosocial Effects of Isolation and Social Distancing during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic – An Overview and Mitigation Strategies

“…A study conducted in China examined the association between media exposure about the COVID-19 pandemic and the stress response, and the study investigators found that prolonged exposure to the media was not only associated with higher levels of stress but also with acute stress disorder. This led to the recommendations that governments should be more conscious of the negative impacts that such exposure has on their citizens and should develop suitable mediation strategies that do not compromise citizen well-being but rather promote it in times of crisis [115].…”

A Cross-Sectional Survey of National Chinese College Students’ Mental Status during COVID-19 Pandemic: Using a Compiled Stress Response Questionnaire

“…In one study, an estimated one in five participants suffered from depressive symptoms and sleep disorders [3]. In addition, acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be predicted by media exposure during the pandemic [4], as the Internet has become the primary source of information related to COVID-19 [5]. This created an enormous challenge for the existing mental health-care system in China.…”