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Risk Perception and Depression in Public Health Crises: Evidence from the COVID-19 Crisis in China

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Listed:
  • Yubin Ding

    (Undergraduate College, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Junling Xu

    (College of Public Administration, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Sisi Huang

    (College of Public Administration, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Peipei Li

    (College of Public Administration, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Cuizhen Lu

    (College of Public Administration, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Shenghua Xie

    (College of Public Administration, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)

Abstract

Background: Scant attention has been paid to how risk perceptions of public health crises may affect people’s mental health. Aims : The aims of this study are to (1) construct a conceptual framework for risk perception and depression of people in public health crises, (2) examine how the mental health of people in the crisis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is affected by risk perception and its associated factors, including distance perception of the crisis and support of prevention and control policies, and (3) propose policy recommendations on how to deal with psychological problems in the current COVID-19 crisis. Methods : Online questionnaire survey was implemented. A total of 6373 people visited the questionnaire online, 1115 people completed the questionnaire, and the number of valid questionnaires was 1081. Structural equation modeling was employed for data analysis. Results : Risk perception and its associated factors significantly affect the mental health of people in public health crises. Specifically, (1) distance perception of public health crises is negatively associated with depression among people, (2) affective risk perception is positively associated with depression of people in public health crises, (3) cognitive risk perception is negatively associated with depression of people in public health crises, and (4) support of prevention and control policies is negatively associated with depression of people in public health crises. Conclusion : The findings of this study suggest that risk perception plays an important role in affecting the mental health of people in a public health crisis. Therefore, health policies aiming to improve the psychological wellbeing of the people in a public health crisis should take risk perception into consideration.

Suggested Citation

  • Yubin Ding & Junling Xu & Sisi Huang & Peipei Li & Cuizhen Lu & Shenghua Xie, 2020. "Risk Perception and Depression in Public Health Crises: Evidence from the COVID-19 Crisis in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:16:p:5728-:d:396164
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    2. Xizheng Xu & Ying Fan & Yunpeng Wu & Senlin Zhou, 2022. "Authenticity Mediates the Relationship between Risk Perception of COVID-19 and Subjective Well-Being: A Daily Diary Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-11, October.
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    4. Qi Wu & Beian Chen & Jianping Zhu, 2023. "Insights from COVID-19: Reflecting on the Promotion of Long-Term Health Policies in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-17, February.
    5. Thomas Volken & Annina Zysset & Simone Amendola & Agnes von Wyl & Julia Dratva & on behalf of the HES-C Research Group, 2021. "Generalized Anxiety among Swiss Health Professions and Non-Health Professions Students: An Open Cohort Study over 14 Months in the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-14, October.
    6. Gill Hubbard & Chantal den Daas & Marie Johnston & Peter Murchie & Catharine Ward Thompson & Diane Dixon, 2021. "Are Rurality, Area Deprivation, Access to Outside Space, and Green Space Associated with Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Cross Sectional Study (CHARIS-E)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-17, April.
    7. Yingying Yao & Min Lin & Jianchao Ni & Jing Ni, 2023. "Hope Buffers the Effect of Fear of COVID-19 on Depression among College Students: Insomnia as a Mediator," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    8. Sabrina Cipolletta & Gabriela Rios Andreghetti & Giovanna Mioni, 2022. "Risk Perception towards COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-25, April.
    9. Qianqian Zhai & Ali Sher & Qian Li, 2022. "The Impact of Health Risk Perception on Blockchain Traceable Fresh Fruits Purchase Intention in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-14, June.
    10. Anna Rutkowska, 2022. "Remote Interventions to Support Students’ Psychological Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review of Recent Approaches," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-12, October.
    11. Kyungmi Kim & Hyesun Jeong & Jongeun Lee, 2022. "COVID-19 Related Fear, Risk Perceptions, and Behavioral Changes According to Level of Depression among Nursing Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-11, April.

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