• Hua Yu, Mingli Li, Zhixiong Li, Weiyi Xiang, Yiwen Yuan, Yaya Liu, Zhe Li, and Zhenzhen Xiong.
• Mental Health Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 28 Dian Xin Nan Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
• Bmc Psychiatry. 2020 Aug 27; 20 (1): 426.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological status of the general population in mainland China during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to explore the factors influencing psychological distress, in order to provide the basis for further psychological intervention programs.MethodsWe administered three questionnaires on-line to a convenience sample of the general population from different regions of mainland China from February 1 to February 4, 2020. We used the Mandarin versions of the six-item Kessler psychological distress scale (K6), the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). We also collected demographic data and other information related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing psychological distress.ResultsOf 1607 respondents, 1588 returned valid questionnaires and were included in the analysis. Nearly one quarter (22.8%) had high levels of psychological distress (K6 score ≥ 13). Individuals with higher psychological distress were more likely to be unmarried, spend more than 6 h per day searching for information about COVID-19, more frequently adopt a passive coping style, and report less social support than those with lower psychological distress.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 outbreak in China has a great impact on the mental health status of the general population. Active coping strategies and increased social support are significantly correlated with decreased psychological distress, and may serve as the basis for psychological interventions.

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