Factors associated with psychological distress among college students under COVID-19 pandemic: the moderating role of coping styles and social support

This paper aimed to explore the potential factors of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on Chinese undergraduates’ psychological distress (PD), as well as the moderating impact of coping styles and social support in this relationship. 5638 Chinese college students in Chengdu were randomly selected for an online survey. 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) were used in this paper. In SPSS 17, one-way ANOVA, multiple linear regression and 95% confidence were used to observe the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 exposure, coping styles, social support and PD of college students. The PD prevalence rate of our sample during the pandemic was 45.5%. Males, students with a romantic relationship, those spending more time on COVID-19, worrying about getting infected, those whose cohabitants were nervous about COVID-19, higher scores of negative coping style, lower positive coping style and social support scores had a higher risk of experiencing PD. The relationship between the nervousness of cohabitants about COVID-19 and the occurrence of PD was moderated by positive coping. Based on the serious psychological condition of Chinese college students during COVID-19. There is an urgent need to enhance the positive coping styles of college students, and systematic support for their mental health is crucial. This article provides theoretical research guidance for students and schools to further prevent and intervene in PD among college students. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.