ABSTRACT
Background: Little research has been done on the mental health of western Chinese university students during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This work aims to fill the gap by gaining insight into the positive psychological capital and its influencing factors among university students in western China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted in college students from a medical school. Participants were surveyed anonymously using a general information questionnaire and the Positive Psychological Capital Scale. The key factors and models affecting the psychological capital were obtained by using the gradual regression method. If P < 0.05, the difference would be considered statistically significant. Results: The total score of positive psychological capital among university students in western China was 118.51±16.91, Taking the psychological capital as the dependent variable, gender and grade as the independent variables, the key factors and models affecting the psychological capital were obtained by using the gradual regression method.The results showed that the P-value of each influencing factor was <0.05. The key influencing factors of psychological capital of college students were gender and and place of residence. Conclusion: The overall positive psychological capital of college students in western China was in good condition during the pandemic, with large room for improvement though. Gender and Residence were independent influencing factors on the positive psychological capital.