Public psychological crisis reports: an investigation during the remission of COVID-19 in China

Abstract

Purpose The COVID-19 outbreak has been effectively controlled in China, but the resulting public psychological crisis is a latent, persistent and torturous disaster. This crisis affects not only the individual’s health but also social stability. This study aims to reveal the structure and situation of public psychological crisis during the remission period of the COVID-19 epidemic. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey of the psychological crisis was conducted from February to May 2021. Data was collected from 1,056 respondents from different provinces in China. Findings The findings reveal the dangerous risks of public psychological crises. The specific results are as follows: first, a hierarchical state structure of psychological crisis is constructed and characterized as a significant gradient decline, namely, anxious state>panic state>depressive state>hostile state. Second, 43.939% of respondents reported an anxious state, 46.780% reported a panic state, 40.909% reported a depressive state, 28.883% reported a hostile state and 22.254% of the respondents had four psychological crisis states. Third, those with 56–65 years of age, equal or below high school and PhD, with monthly family incomes of ¥50,000–¥100,000 and living in the county and city areas have relatively high levels of psychological crisis. Originality/value This study enriches the research on the evolution of the psychological crisis in terms of structure and periods. This study also provides substantial evidence for hierarchical intervention and differentiated intervention of psychological crisis.

How COVID-19 prevention burnout impacts emotional symptoms among Chinese college students: A moderated mediation model

“…These measures may increase the risk of students' depression and anxiety as the psychological crisis resulting from the pandemic can adversely affect people's lives in a latent, ongoing, and torturous way (Han et al, 2022). For example, the persistent high proportion of depression and anxiety during remission evidenced that the COVID-19 epidemic caused hidden and long-term psychological trauma (Han et al, 2022). In addition, distance learning, which COVID-19 popularized, has significantly impacted the social connections, motivation, and healthy habits of college students (González Ramírez et al, 2021).…”

“…The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused a public psychological crisis, bringing about serious mental health problems, such as two significant emotional symptoms: depression and anxiety (Han et al, 2022; Yıldırım and Şanlı, 2023). Growing studies have estimated the prevalence of depression (12.2%–41.8%) and anxiety (7.7%–31.0%) among Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic (Wang et al, 2020, 2021; Wu et al, 2021; Xiang et al, 2020).…”

“…Although college students began to return to school, they continued to comply with prevention measures, including avoiding outdoor activities, limiting interpersonal communication, and engaging in the long-term online study (Yu et al, 2021). These measures may increase the risk of students’ depression and anxiety as the psychological crisis resulting from the pandemic can adversely affect people’s lives in a latent, ongoing, and torturous way (Han et al, 2022). For example, the persistent high proportion of depression and anxiety during remission evidenced that the COVID-19 epidemic caused hidden and long-term psychological trauma (Han et al, 2022).…”