The Impact of Social Support on Public Anxiety amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in China

Yibin Ao, Hao Zhu, Fanrong Meng, Yan Wang, Gui Ye, Linchuan Yang, Na Dong and Igor Martek
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Yibin Ao: College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Hao Zhu: College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Fanrong Meng: College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Yan Wang: Department of Engineering Management, Sichuan College of Architectural Technology, Deyang 618000, China
Gui Ye: School of Management Science and Real Estate, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
Linchuan Yang: School of Architecture and Design, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Na Dong: College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Igor Martek: School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-14

Abstract: The recent coronavirus outbreak has captured worldwide attention. This study investigated the anxiety of the Chinese public and its relationship with social support during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby providing empirical support for interventions on improving the public’s mental health. On the basis of an online questionnaire survey conducted on 10–18 February 2020, this study shows that 19.8%, 68.5%, and 11.1% of the respondents suffered mild anxiety, moderate anxiety, and severe anxiety, respectively. Significant differences are reported in state anxiety between people with different household incomes. There are significant differences in trait anxiety and state anxiety between different social support groups. Social support and trait anxiety are negatively correlated. Social support and state anxiety are negatively correlated. Social support affects state anxiety both directly and indirectly (through the mediation of trait anxiety). Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing public support for society can effectively reduce public anxiety.

Keywords: social support; public anxiety; State–Trait Anxiety Inventory; Social Support Rating Scale; mental health; epidemic; pandemic; COVID-19; 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV); China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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