The Interactive Effects of Cognition on Coping Styles among Chinese during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Zemin Cai, Shukai Zheng, Yanhong Huang, William W. Au, Zhaolong Qiu and Kusheng Wu
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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 of Shantou University, North Taishan Road, Shantou 515065, China
William W. Au: University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Techonology, 540142 Tirgu Mures, Romania
Zhaolong Qiu: Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
Kusheng Wu: Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-11

Abstract: Background: The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has seriously affected people’s life. The main aim of our investigation was to determine the interactive effects of disease awareness on coping style among Chinese residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 616 Chinese residents from 28 provinces were recruited to participate in this investigation. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic characteristics, cognition of COVID-19, and disease-related stress sources. Coping styles were assessed via the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ). Results: The survey showed that the main source of information on COVID-19 was different in relation to gender, age, educational level, and occupation ( p < 0.001). People’s knowledge of the disease, preventive measures, and stress factors were different in relation to demographic characteristics ( p < 0.001). Compared with the baseline values, the scores of positive coping and negative coping based on SCSQ in relation to gender, age, educational level, and occupation were statistically significant ( p < 0.001, except for participants older than 60 years). Different educational levels corresponded to statistical significant differences in positive coping ( p = 0.004) but not in negative coping. Conclusions: During the pandemic, people with different characteristics had different levels of preventive measures’ awareness, which influenced their coping styles. Therefore, during public health emergencies, knowledge of prevention and control measures should be efficiently provided to allow more effective coping styles.

Keywords: Coronavirus Disease 2019; cognition; stress source; coping style (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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