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Emotional and Cognitive Responses and Behavioral Coping of Chinese Medical Workers and General Population during the Pandemic of COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Zemin Cai

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China)

  • Shukai Zheng

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China)

  • Yanhong Huang

    (Mental Health Center, Shantou University, Shantou 515065, China)

  • Xuanzhi Zhang

    (Mental Health Center, Shantou University, Shantou 515065, China)

  • Zhaolong Qiu

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China)

  • Anyan Huang

    (Mental Health Center, Shantou University, Shantou 515065, China)

  • Kusheng Wu

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China)

Abstract

Background: The outbreak of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) might affect the psychological health of population, especially medical workers. We aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emotional and cognitive responses and behavioral coping among Chinese residents. Methods: An online investigation was run from 5 February to 25 February 2020, which recruited a total of 616 Chinese residents. Self-designed questionnaires were used to collect demographic information, epidemic knowledge and prevention of COVID-19 and characteristics of medical workers. The emotional and cognitive responses were assessed via the Symptom Check List-30 (SCL-30) and Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Behavioral coping was assessed via Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ). Results: In total, 131 (21.3%) medical workers and 485 (78.7%) members of the general public completed the structured online survey. The structural equation models showed that emotional response interacted with cognitive response, and both emotional response and cognitive response affected the behavioral coping. Multivariate regression showed that positive coping enhanced emotional and cognitive responses, while negative coping reduced emotional and cognitive responses. The emotional response (depression, anxiety and photic anxiety) scores of the participants were higher than the norm (all p < 0.001); in particular, the panic scores of members of the general public were higher than those of medical workers ( p < 0.05), as well as the cognitive response (paranoia and compulsion). Both positive and negative coping scores of the participants were lower than the norm ( p < 0.001), and the general public had higher negative coping than medical workers ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: During the preliminary stage of COVID-19, our study confirmed the significance of emotional and cognitive responses, which were associated with behavioral coping and significantly influenced the medical workers and the general public’s cognition and level of public health emergency preparedness. These results emphasize the importance of psychological health at times of widespread crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Zemin Cai & Shukai Zheng & Yanhong Huang & Xuanzhi Zhang & Zhaolong Qiu & Anyan Huang & Kusheng Wu, 2020. "Emotional and Cognitive Responses and Behavioral Coping of Chinese Medical Workers and General Population during the Pandemic of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6198-:d:404481
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Yanhong Huang & Meirong He & Anna Li & Yuhang Lin & Xuanzhi Zhang & Kusheng Wu, 2020. "Personality, Behavior Characteristics, and Life Quality Impact of Children with Dyslexia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-14, February.
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