Influence of individual and family characteristics on middle school students’ mental health status during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective This study aims to investigate the impact of individual and family factors on anxiety and loneliness of middle school students during quarantine in the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide reference for discussing the possible effective intervention paths in the stress process of public health emergencies.

Methods A total of 11 596 students from junior and high schools in Shanghai were selected to complete the questionnaire with the stratified random cluster sampling method. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and UCLA Loneliness Scale, University of California at Los Angeles (ULS-6) were used for the survey.

Results The prevalence of anxiety and loneliness were 34.78% and 52.44% respectively. The rate of anxiety and loneliness in girls (36.13%, 54.62%) was higher than that of boys (33.44%, 50.28%) (χ ²= 17.03, 21.82, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that graduates ( OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.18–1.52), students ranking in the middle ( OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.08–1.45) or in the bottom 25% ( OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.50–2.05), non-only children in the family ( OR = 1.25, = 1.09–1.43) and low socioeconomic status ( OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.23–1.65) were associated with increased risk of moderate and severe level of anxiety ( P<0.05). Girls ( OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.12–1.30), graduates ( OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.04–1.24), non-residents ( OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.09–1.33), lower level of grades ( OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.55–1.91) and not living with parents ( OR = 1.32, =1.18–1.48) were associated with increased risk of loneliness ( P<0.05).

Conclusion During the quarantine period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, negative emotions such as anxiety and loneliness among adolescents need attention, especially females, graduates, only children and students with low rankings or low socioeconomic status.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 探讨新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情期间居家隔离状态中个体及家庭因素对中学生焦虑和孤独情绪产生的影响, 为探讨突发公共卫生事件应激过程中可能采取的有效干预路径提供参考。 方法 采用分层随机整群抽样法, 于 2020 年 3—4 月抽取上海市初、高中生共 11 596 名, 采用广泛性焦虑量表 (GAD-7) 和孤独感量表简版 (ULS-6) 进行调查。 结果 中学生焦虑、孤独发生率分别为 34.78%, 52.44%, 女生焦虑和孤独的发生率 (36.13%, 54.62%) 高于男生 (33.44%, 50.28%) (χ ² 值分别为 17.03, 21.82, P 值均<0.05)。Logistic 回归分析显示, 毕业班 ( OR =1.34,95% CI = 1.18~1.52)、成绩中等 ( OR = 1.25,95% CI =1.08~1.45) 及后 25% 者 ( OR =1.76,95% CI =1.50~2.05)、非独生子女 ( OR =1.25,95% CI = 1.09~1.43)、客观社 会经济地位低 ( OR =1.42,95% CI =1.23~1.65) 与中重度焦虑情绪的发生正性相关, 女生 ( OR =1.20,95% CI =1.12~1.30)、毕 业班 ( OR =1.13,95% CI =1.04~1.24)、外省市户籍 ( OR =1.20,95% CI =1.09~1.33)、成绩差 ( OR =1.72,95% CI = 1.55~1.91)、不与父母同住 ( OR =1.32,95%CI =1.18~1.48) 与孤独情绪的发生正性相关 ( P 值均<0.05)。 结论 居家隔离期间, 需关注 青少年焦虑和孤独等负性情绪, 尤其是女生、毕业班、成绩较后、独生子女及家庭社会经济地位较低的青少年。