The Association between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Psychological Distress among Primary School and Middle School Teachers during the COVID-19 Epidemic: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

Jia-Xin Liang, Ying Gao, I-Hua Chen, Xiu-Mei Chen () and Yuan-Yuan Zheng ()
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Jia-Xin Liang: School of Education Science, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou 363000, China
Ying Gao: School of Education Science, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou 363000, China
I-Hua Chen: Chinese Academy of Education Big Data, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273100, China
Xiu-Mei Chen: Faculty of Education, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273100, China
Yuan-Yuan Zheng: International College, Krirk University, Bangkok 10220, Thailand

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-13

Abstract: Background: The outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its rapid spread may have led to individuals developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological distress. Under this context, teachers merit more attention as a group with high levels of work stress. The purpose of this study was to verify the relationship between PTSD and psychological distress and to explore sleep problems as a possible mediator in the relationship between PTSD and psychological distress, as well as the moderator of internet gaming disorders (IGD) in the relationship between sleep problems and psychological distress. Methods: A total of 11,014 Chinese primary and middle school teachers participated in this study. The survey was conducted online between 25 May and 30 June 2020. Results: PTSD was shown to have both a direct and indirect effect on teachers’ psychological distress. The indirect effect was mediated by sleep problems. IGD played a moderating role between sleep problems and psychological distress. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, PTSD has been shown to have had a serious impact on the psychological stress of teachers, which was mediated by sleep problems. In addition, IGD raised the harm brought from sleep problems on teachers’ mental health.

Keywords: post-traumatic stress disorder; psychological distress; sleep problems; internet gaming disorder; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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