Relationships between psychopathological symptoms, pandemic-related stress, perceived social support, and COVID-19 infection history: a network analysis in Chinese college students.
Chi Kei Krystal Lee, Kwun Nam Joe Chan, Sau Man Corine Wong, Hou Sem Gabbie Wong, Hiu Ching Janet Lei, Yuen Kiu So, Shi Cheng Vivian Fung, Sai Ting Ryan Chu, Kar Kin Albert Chung, Pak Wing Calvin Cheng, Ka Ying Heidi Lo, Wai Chi Chan, Wing Chung Chang
Author Information
Chi Kei Krystal Lee: Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Kwun Nam Joe Chan: Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Sau Man Corine Wong: School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Hou Sem Gabbie Wong: Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Hiu Ching Janet Lei: Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Yuen Kiu So: Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Shi Cheng Vivian Fung: Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Sai Ting Ryan Chu: Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Kar Kin Albert Chung: Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Pak Wing Calvin Cheng: Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Ka Ying Heidi Lo: Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Wai Chi Chan: Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Wing Chung Chang: Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Introduction: Previous coronavirus, 2019 (COVID-19) research has applied network analysis to examine relationships between psychopathological symptoms but rarely extended to potential risk and protective factors or the influence of COVID-19 infection history. This study examined complex inter-relationships between psychopathological symptoms, COVID-19-related stressors, perceived social support, and COVID-19 infection history among Chinese university/college students during the peak of fifth pandemic wave using a network analysis approach. Methods: A Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator-regularized partial correlation network using Gaussian graphical model was constructed in 1,395 Chinese university/college students in Hong Kong who completed a survey between 15 March and 3 April, 2022. Depressive, anxiety, and acute/traumatic stress symptoms were measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized anxiety Disorder-7, and Impact of Event Scale-6, respectively. COVID-19-related stressors and perceived social support were measured. Network differences by COVID-19 infection history (COVID-network vs. no_COVID-network) and network communities were examined. Results: Our results showed that the most influential nodes were depressed mood, uncontrollable worries, and uncontrollable thoughts about COVID-19. The main bridging symptoms were concentration problems and psychomotor problems. The COVID-network, comprising participants with a history of COVID-19 infection only, was significantly stronger than the no_COVID-network. Perceived social support and stress from conflicts with family/friends formed a unique community with negative cognition and suicidal idea in the COVID-network only. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that specific interventions targeting interpersonal conflicts and concentration problems as well as facilitating stress buffering effects of social support may represent effective strategies to reduce psychological distress in university/college students during COVID-19 and should be considered for future pandemic preparedness.
