The effect of the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic on college students in Wuhan

Psychol Trauma. 2020 Aug;12(S1):S6-S14. doi: 10.1037/tra0000930. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Abstract

Objective: This study explored a multiple mediation model in Wuhan's college students. Positive thinking and resilience were identified as mediators between 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) victimization experiences and mental health.

Method: The sample included 384 from 4 universities in Wuhan, China. Four structured instruments were applied to the college students, including scale of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus victimization experience, scale of the positive thinking, scale of the resilience, and scale of the mental health. The responses were scored using a 5-point Likert scale. Structural equation models were used to construct measurement and structural models.

Results: The findings confirmed that the 2019-nCoV victimization experience was a negative predictor of mental health; positive thinking and resilience were strong mediators between 2019-nCoV victimization experience and mental health.

Conclusions: The results indicated that a complete model was significant because positive thinking compensated for resilience. Notably, these 2 strong mediators will vastly resist the negative influences of 2019-nCoV victimization experience on mental health in Wuhan's college students until the end of the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Behavioral Symptoms / psychology*
  • COVID-19
  • China
  • Coronavirus Infections / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / psychology*
  • Resilience, Psychological*
  • Students / psychology*
  • Thinking*
  • Universities
  • Young Adult