Uncertainty stress and self-rated health during the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Objectives: The COVID-19 crisis caused unparalleled uncertainty stress and health-related symptoms among Chinese residents. This study aimed to characterize stress status during the early stage of the pandemic and explore the inner mechanism between uncertainty stress and self-rated health. Setting/participants: A cross-sectional design was conducted online from February 7 to 14, 2020. A total of 2534 Chinese participants were surveyed. Main outcome measures: Uncertainty stress, negative affect, sleep quality, and health status were measured by self-report. A sequential mediation model using bootstrapping method was applied to test these relationships. Results: Age, place of residence, marital status, occupation, household annual income, infection, and quarantine status significantly correlated with uncertainty stress. Higher uncertainty stress was negatively related with self-rated health (r = -0.256, p < 0.01) and positively associated with higher negative emotions (r = 0.646, p < 0.01). The sequential mediation model found total indirect effect (ß = -0.014, 95%C.I. = -0.017-0.010) and direct effect (ß = -0.010, 95%C.I. = -0.015-0.005) were significant in the relationship between uncertainty stress and self-rated health with mediating by negative affect and subjective sleep quality. Conclusions: Findings provided evidence-based information for stakeholders designing and implementing intervention strategies by providing psychological consultation services and public education to manage uncertainty stress and minimize the damage of negative affect and poor sleep.

Associations between sedentary behavior and negative emotions in adolescents during home confinement: Mediating role of social support and sleep quality

Background Prolonged periods of sedentary behaviour, for instance, engendered by home confinement in Shenzhen city, has led to negative mental health consequences, especially in adolescents. Previous research suggests, in general, that sedentary behavior can increase negative emotions. However, the specific mechanism driving the relationship between sedentary behavior and negative emotions is still relatively unclear. Social support and sleep quality might partly explain the effect of sedentary behavior on negative emotions. Thus, the current study aimed to examine the associations between sedentary behavior and negative emotions, and to investigate if social support and sleep quality mediate such a relationship. Method During home confinement due to the COVID-19 Omicron variant outbreak, 1179 middle and high school students in Shenzhen were invited to voluntarily complete an e-questionnaire, including the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data from 1065 participants were included in the analysis. Results We observed significant sex-related and demografic-related differences in emotional (e.g., anxiety, stress and social support) and other outcome variables (e.g., sitting duration and PSQI score). Furthermore, sedentary behavior, social support, and sleep quality were associated with negative emotions (p < .01), even after controlling for sex, age, only-child case, body mass index, and metabolic equivalent level. In addition, social support and sleep quality partially mediated the association between sedentary behavior and negative emotions. Conclusion The findings of the current study suggest that social support and sleep quality partially mediate the relationship between sedentary behavior and negative emotions in middle and high school students during home confinement in Shenzhen city.

Association of social support with negative emotions among Chinese adolescents during Omicron-related lockdown of Shenzhen City: The roles of rumination and sleep quality.

Objective: Adolescents are likely to suffer from negative emotions such as depression and anxiety due to the rapid development of biological, cognitive and social changes. Previous studies have indicated possible risk (rumination) and protective (good social support and high sleep quality) factors for depression and anxiety among this age group. The present study is the first to investigate the association between social support and negative emotions during the Outbreak of Omicron variant, on this basis, to further determine the mediating role of rumination and sleep quality on this link. Method: A total of 1,065 Chinese middle- and high-school students (51.5% female, M age = 13.80, SD = 1.20) completed a psychosocial battery, including the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Serial multiple mediation analysis was conducted using PROCESS macro based on SPSS. Results: Social support, rumination, and sleep quality were significantly negatively correlated with negative emotional states (Ps < 0.05). Further, rumination and sleep quality were found to partially mediate the relationship between social support and negative emotional states. Conclusions: For early detection and prevention of depression and anxiety, providing sufficient social support is necessary for adolescents, because rumination and sleep problems are reported during stressful periods, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.