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University Students’ Perceived Peer Support and Experienced Depressive Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Emotional Well-Being

Author

Listed:
  • Yao Sun

    (Centre for Child and Family Science, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Shiang-Yi Lin

    (Centre for Child and Family Science, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Kevin Kien Hoa Chung

    (Centre for Child and Family Science, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    Department of Early Childhood Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has adversely affected individuals’ mental health. Social isolation as a result of social distancing during the pandemic potentially affects the associations among perceived available peer support, emotional well-being, and depression in university students. The present study examined the associations among university students’ perceived available peer support, emotional well-being (as indicated negatively by loneliness and negative affects and positively by positive affects and hope), and depressive symptoms. During the third wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in July, 2020, 255 students at a public university in Hong Kong participated in an online-based survey that assessed their perceived available peer support, emotional well-being, and depressive symptoms. Results showed that perceived available peer support negatively contributed to depressive symptoms; both negative and positive indicators of emotional well-being mediated the association between perceived available peer support and depressive symptoms. Our results also suggested that university students showed signs of elevated depressive symptoms during the pandemic. Thus, our study advanced the theoretical understanding of university students’ mental health in the time of a global pandemic. Our study also highlighted the practical needs for preventive efforts and accessible care to support the psychological and emotional needs of young people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Yao Sun & Shiang-Yi Lin & Kevin Kien Hoa Chung, 2020. "University Students’ Perceived Peer Support and Experienced Depressive Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Emotional Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9308-:d:461080
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Debanjan Banerjee & Mayank Rai, 2020. "Social isolation in Covid-19: The impact of loneliness," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(6), pages 525-527, September.
    2. Sijia Li & Yilin Wang & Jia Xue & Nan Zhao & Tingshao Zhu, 2020. "The Impact of COVID-19 Epidemic Declaration on Psychological Consequences: A Study on Active Weibo Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-9, March.
    3. Jian-Bin Li & An Yang & Kai Dou & Rebecca Y. M. Cheung, 2020. "Self-Control Moderates the Association Between Perceived Severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Mental Health Problems Among the Chinese Public," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-10, July.
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    2. Meredith Tharapos & Konrad Peszynski & Kwok Hung Lau & Margaret Heffernan & Gillian Vesty & Aida Ghalebeigi, 2023. "Effective teaching, student engagement and student satisfaction during the Covid‐19 pandemic: Evidence from business students' qualitative survey evaluations," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(3), pages 3173-3192, September.
    3. Carla Barros & Ana Sacau-Fontenla, 2021. "New Insights on the Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence and Social Support on University Students’ Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: Gender Matters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Mario Jojoa & Esther Lazaro & Begonya Garcia-Zapirain & Marino J. Gonzalez & Elena Urizar, 2021. "The Impact of COVID 19 on University Staff and Students from Iberoamerica: Online Learning and Teaching Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-20, May.
    5. Yichen, Ma & Chuntian, Lu, 2024. "Is lifestyle a bridge between perceived social support and depression in Chinese university students?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    6. Yuan Zhou & Xiao Meng & Jiayin Wang & Xu Mo & Sa Jiang & Chengjun Dai & Mengting Liu, 2023. "Daily Peer Relationships and Academic Achievement among College Students: A Social Network Analysis Based on Behavioral Big Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-21, November.
    7. Amani Al-Oraibi & Lauren Fothergill & Mehmet Yildirim & Holly Knight & Sophie Carlisle & Mórna O’Connor & Lydia Briggs & Joanne R. Morling & Jessica Corner & Jonathan K. Ball & Chris Denning & Kavita , 2022. "Exploring the Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 Social Restrictions on International University Students: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-19, June.
    8. Bethy Merchán-Sanmartín & Mayra Brocel-Bajaña & Johny Pambabay-Calero & Sergio Bauz-Olvera & Néstor Montalván-Burbano & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Paúl Carrión-Mero, 2022. "Multivariate Analysis on Physical Activity, Emotional and Health Status of University Students Caused by COVID-19 Confinement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-22, September.
    9. Sara Miori & Andrea Sanna & Sergio Lassola & Erica Cicolini & Roberto Zanella & Sandra Magnoni & Silvia De Rosa & Giacomo Bellani & Michele Umbrello, 2023. "Incidence, Risk Factors, and Consequences of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Survivors of COVID-19-Related ARDS," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-14, April.
    10. Shiang-Yi Lin & Kevin Kien Hoa Chung, 2021. "Risk Perception, Perception of Collective Efficacy and Sleep Quality in Chinese Adults during COVID-19 Pandemic in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, November.
    11. Agnes Y. K. Lai & George O. C. Cheung & Asa C. M. Choi & Man-Ping Wang & Polly S. L. Chan & Angie H. Y. Lam & Esther W. S. Lo & Chia-Chin Lin & Tai-Hing Lam, 2022. "Mental Health, Support System, and Perceived Usefulness of Support in University Students in Hong Kong Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Method Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-18, October.

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