Page 42 - JCBP-3-2

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Mental health status of Chinese college students in the post-epidemic period

1. Introduction pandemic, the level of anxiety and depression among
college students has increased significantly. Interestingly,
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute the easing of pandemic restrictions intensified or created
respiratory infectious disease caused by a novel new sources of pressure, including worries and fears about
coronavirus, primarily transmitted through the direct the risk of infection of oneself and family members,
3
aerosol and contact routes. The virus incubation period the anxiety of whether COVID-19 prevention-related
1
and symptoms vary with individuals. The main clinical materials will be obtained in time, and the correct methods
symptoms are fever, dry cough, fatigue, etc. Some patients to prevent COVID-19 infection. At the same time, incorrect
suffer nasal congestion, runny nose, diarrhea, and other information further increases people’s anxiety, depression,
upper respiratory and digestive tract symptoms. Despite and stress. Hence, there is an urgent need to assess the
2
their effectiveness, the control and treatment approaches pandemic’s effects on college students’ mental health.
for COVID-19 have aroused concern in societies, sparking
debates about their implications for social progress and The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey-based
development. mental health assessment of Chinese college students after
the easing of COVID-19 restrictions to determine their
The transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Stress-related
coronavirus 2 – the virus responsible for COVID-19 – was factors after the easing of restrictions and whether college
first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 before students could cope with the pressure after restrictions
its rapid spread worldwide. Since January 2020, the global were lifted were explored.
3
spread of this novel coronavirus has been defined as an
international public health event, marking the time that 2. Methods
brought huge ramifications to people’s lives. For college
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students, their social activities became hindered. Changes 2.1. Recruitment of study participants
in learning style increased the difficulty of learning and A cross-sectional survey was designed and conducted by
led to significantly irregular daily behaviors. A survey Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital and Sichuan Mental
5,6
showed that social interaction and social function were Health Center at the beginning of December 2022 during
hindered by the pandemic, which increased the prevalence the initial stage of the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
of anxiety and depression. Some studies suggest that This study was approved by the Human Research Ethics
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online learning heightens stress among students, and the Committee of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital,
exacerbated learning difficulty eventually leads to increased Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, and the University
mental health problems. Irregular daily behaviors, such of Electronic Science and Technology review committee
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as getting up early, staying up late, and spending more (Protocol No. 2023-47). Informed consent of the study
time online, may lead to the interruption of the biological participants was obtained by digital means. Participants
rhythm, which is considered an important clinical feature were recruited from the University of Electronic Science
and pathophysiological mechanism of mental illness and is and Technology student group in Sichuan Province, China.
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closely related to the onset, symptoms, and social functions At the beginning of December 2022, COVID-19 restrictions
of depression. College students with sleep problems tend were eased while the students in this university were on
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to feel tired, lethargic, and irritable and suffer from other semester break. Thus, some students were at home with
negative emotions. According to some statistical data, their families, some were preparing for final examinations
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during the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 9 – 54% and entrance examinations at school, and some were
of college students or young people suffered from different interning at different units or companies. The questionnaire
mental health problems. Some studies have shown that was released through the Questionnaire Star survey
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the COVID-19 pandemic has a widespread effect on platform (https://www.wjx.cn/wjx/design/previewmobile)
individual mental health, marked by mental disorders on December 16, 2022, and the questionnaire remained
arising in individuals, including acute stress disorder, open until no report was completed for two consecutive
depression, and anxiety. 13 days. During this period, the questionnaire was distributed
to more than 2000 students at the University of Electronic
After 3 years of restrictions due to the pandemic,
COVID-19 restriction mode shifted mode from closed to Science and Technology through WeChat.
open control in China back in December 2022. Following 2.2. Measurements
the easing of the restrictions in China, many people
became infected with COVID-19, which is expected to 2.2.1. Demographics
have a further bearing on the mental health of all citizens, Demographic information included age, sex, residence,
including college students. Son et al. found that after the educational background (undergraduate, master’s,

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 36 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.2139