Psychological Symptoms and Posttraumatic Growth Among the General Population in Wuhan, China During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the current study was to investigate psychological symptoms and post-traumatic growth (PTG) among the general population in Wuhan, China during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. An online survey was conducted using convenience sampling. Participants were invited to fill out this questionnaire, which included information on sociodemographic characteristics and other survey objectives. The Psychological Questionnaire for Emergent Events of Public Health (PQEEPH) and the Chinese version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) were used. The prevalence of depression, neurasthenia, fear, obsessive-anxiety, and hypochondriasis among 311 participants were 61.1%, 69.8%, 97.8%, 57.2%, and 45%, respectively. Results indicated that a substantial proportion of the general population may have experienced psychological symptoms as well as PTG, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings demonstrate the importance of developing targeted psychological interventions for those at risk for mental health symptoms. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60(4), 39-46.].