IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i21p11542-d671112.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Chinese Postgraduate Students’ Mental Health

Author

Listed:
  • Zhengyan Liang

    (School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Derong Kang

    (School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Minqiang Zhang

    (School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
    Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
    Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
    Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Yuanlin Xia

    (School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Qing Zeng

    (School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

Abstract

To understand the mental health status of Chinese postgraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic, we used three online questionnaires: self-rating anxiety (SAS) scale, self-rating depression (SDS) scale, and social avoidance and distress (SAD) scale. A total of 3137 postgraduate students from different regions of China participated in our study. We explored the relationship between participant characteristics and mental health using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). We found that the proportions of respondents with severe, mild, and moderate depression were 1.4%, 10.48%, and 21.99%, respectively, and the corresponding proportions of respondents with anxiety were 1.56%, 4.65%, and 14.69%, respectively. A one-way ANOVA revealed that the mental health statuses of the participants were different between the subgroups based on majors, classes, degree types, and the method of communication with advisors and students. A two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects on interaction and the method of communication with advisors and peers. These findings suggest that the mental health of postgraduate students should be monitored during the pandemic, especially when they are unable to communicate directly with their advisors or peers, and targeted psychological counselling must be focused on anxiety and depression.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhengyan Liang & Derong Kang & Minqiang Zhang & Yuanlin Xia & Qing Zeng, 2021. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Chinese Postgraduate Students’ Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11542-:d:671112
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/21/11542/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/21/11542/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Felix Müller & Susanne Röhr & Ulrich Reininghaus & Steffi G. Riedel-Heller, 2021. "Social Isolation and Loneliness during COVID-19 Lockdown: Associations with Depressive Symptoms in the German Old-Age Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Lei Zheng & Miao Miao & JiYoon Lim & Maorui Li & Shu Nie & Xiaojun Zhang, 2020. "Is Lockdown Bad for Social Anxiety in COVID-19 Regions?: A National Study in The SOR Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Stefano Ferracuti & Osvalda De Giglio & Giuseppina Caggiano & Carmela Protano & Federica Valeriani & Eduardo Alfonso Parisi & Giuliana Valerio & Giorgio Liguori , 2020. "Sedentary Behaviors and Physical Activity of Italian Undergraduate Students during Lockdown at the Time of CoViD−19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-11, August.
    4. Roberta Zupo & Fabio Castellana & Rodolfo Sardone & Annamaria Sila & Vito Angelo Giagulli & Vincenzo Triggiani & Raffaele Ivan Cincione & Gianluigi Giannelli & Giovanni De Pergola, 2020. "Preliminary Trajectories in Dietary Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Public Health Call to Action to Face Obesity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-15, September.
    5. Sheela Sundarasen & Karuthan Chinna & Kamilah Kamaludin & Mohammad Nurunnabi & Gul Mohammad Baloch & Heba Bakr Khoshaim & Syed Far Abid Hossain & Areej Sukayt, 2020. "Psychological Impact of COVID-19 and Lockdown among University Students in Malaysia: Implications and Policy Recommendations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-13, August.
    6. Ana Rodríguez-Larrad & Asier Mañas & Idoia Labayen & Marcela González-Gross & Ander Espin & Susana Aznar & José Antonio Serrano-Sánchez & Francisco J. Vera-Garcia & Domingo González-Lamuño & Ignacio A, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in Spanish University Students: Role of Gender," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Wenyi Zhang & Yixing Li & Qing Zeng & Minqiang Zhang & Xiaozhong Lu, 2022. "Relationship between Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intention among College Students: A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, September.
    2. Peng Wan & Jinsheng Hu & Qi Li, 2023. "Impact of Social Support on Depressive Symptoms among Postgraduates during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Moderated Mediation Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Irfan Ullah & Md. Saiful Islam & Sajjad Ali & Hashaam Jamil & Muhammad Junaid Tahir & Aatik Arsh & Jaffer Shah & Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam, 2021. "Insufficient Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors among Medical Students during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study in Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-10, September.
    2. Aurélie Goncalves & Sarah Le Vigouroux & Elodie Charbonnier, 2021. "University Students’ Lifestyle Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Four-Wave Longitudinal Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-9, August.
    3. Haleama Al Sabbah & Zainab Taha & Radwan Qasrawi & Enas A. Assaf & Leila Cheikh Ismail & Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri & Maha Hoteit & Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh & Reema Tayyem & Hiba Bawadi & Majid AlKhalaf & Khlood B, 2022. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical (In)Activity Behavior in 10 Arab Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-15, August.
    4. Yu-Hsiu Chu & Yao-Chuen Li, 2022. "The Impact of Online Learning on Physical and Mental Health in University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-10, March.
    5. María Giner-Murillo & Beatriz Atienza-Carbonell & Jose Cervera-Martínez & Teresa Bobes-Bascarán & Benedicto Crespo-Facorro & Raquel B. De Boni & Cristina Esteban & María Paz García-Portilla & Susana G, 2021. "Lifestyle in Undergraduate Students and Demographically Matched Controls during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-17, July.
    6. Margherita Micheletti Cremasco & Anna Mulasso & Alessia Moroni & Andrea Testa & Raffaella Degan & Alberto Rainoldi & Emanuela Rabaglietti, 2021. "Relation among Perceived Weight Change, Sedentary Activities and Sleep Quality during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Study in an Academic Community in Northern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-14, March.
    7. Maria-Crina Radu & Carol Schnakovszky & Eugen Herghelegiu & Vlad-Andrei Ciubotariu & Ion Cristea, 2020. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Quality of Educational Process: A Student Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-15, October.
    8. Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Lavinia Bianco & Mario Maninchedda & Benedetta Barchielli & Fabrizio Liguori & Giovanna Da Molin & Giorgio Liguori & Giovanni Battista Orsi & Stefano Ferracuti &, 2022. "How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Impacted Daily Life? Assessing the Use of Web Resources for Recreational Activities in the Italian Adult Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-13, November.
    9. Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska & Katarzyna Mazur-Włodarczyk & Agata Wódkowska, 2023. "Native vs. Unique Fruit Popularity: Exploring the Sustainable Fruit Consumption in Poland—Research Report," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-23, July.
    10. Luai Al-Labadi & Jinyoung Hur & Kyuson Lim & Nitya Srivastava, 2023. "Assessing Financial Well-being of Undergraduate University Students during COVID-19 Pandemic," Higher Education Studies, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(1), pages 1-24, February.
    11. Caro Wolfner & Corilyn Ott & Kalani Upshaw & Angela Stowe & Lisa Schwiebert & Robin Gaines Lanzi, 2023. "Coping Strategies and Help-Seeking Behaviors of College Students and Postdoctoral Fellows with Disabilities or Pre-Existing Conditions during COVID-19," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-25, February.
    12. Federica Gentili & Giulia Cafiero & Marco Alfonso Perrone & Massimiliano Bianco & Annamaria Salvati & Ugo Giordano & Stefani Silva Kikina & Paolo Guccione & Andrea De Zorzi & Lorenzo Galletti & Fabriz, 2021. "The Effects of Physical Inactivity and Exercise at Home in Young Patients with Congenital Heart Disease during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-10, September.
    13. Bentham Liang Sen Teh & Jin Kiat Ang & Eugene Boon Yau Koh & Nicholas Tze Ping Pang, 2023. "Psychological Resilience and Coping Strategies with Anxiety among Malaysian Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, January.
    14. Emilijus Žilinskas & Giedrė Žulpaitė & Kristijonas Puteikis & Rima Viliūnienė, 2021. "Mental Health among Higher Education Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey from Lithuania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-14, December.
    15. Jesús Muyor-Rodríguez & Francisco Caravaca-Sánchez & Juan Sebastián Fernández-Prados, 2021. "COVID-19 Fear, Resilience, Social Support, Anxiety, and Suicide among College Students in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-14, August.
    16. Matthew J. Savage & Philip J. Hennis & Daniele Magistro & James Donaldson & Laura C. Healy & Ruth M. James, 2021. "Nine Months into the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study Showing Mental Health and Movement Behaviours Are Impaired in UK Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-10, March.
    17. Benedetta Barchielli & Clarissa Cricenti & Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Fabrizio Liguori & Giovanna Da Molin & Giorgio Liguori & Giovanni Battista Orsi & Anna Maria Giannini & Stefano Ferrac, 2022. "Climate Changes, Natural Resources Depletion, COVID-19 Pandemic, and Russian-Ukrainian War: What Is the Impact on Habits Change and Mental Health?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-18, September.
    18. Bopaki Phogole & Kowiyou Yessoufou, 2023. "Greener Neighbourhoods Show Resilience to the Spread but Not Severity of COVID-19 Infection in South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-16, October.
    19. Agnieszka Chwałczyńska & Waldemar Andrzejewski, 2021. "Changes in Body Mass and Composition of the Body as Well as Physical Activity and Time Spent in Front of the Monitor by Students of the Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences during the Perio," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-12, July.
    20. Hui Jin & Xinyi Qian, 2020. "How the Chinese Government Has Done with Public Health from the Perspective of the Evaluation and Comparison about Public-Health Expenditure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-16, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11542-:d:671112. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.