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Mediation

COVID-19 Pandemic's Impact on College Students' Mental Wellbeing

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research conducted by a team from Hong Kong Polytechnic University has shed light on how Chinese college students navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and maintained their psychological wellbeing. The study, which surveyed a diverse sample of Chinese university students across four regions, revealed a significant positive correlation between students' psychological wellbeing and the quality of family interaction and support received. The findings suggest that family support and interaction played a crucial mediating role in the association between COVID-19 burnout and psychological wellbeing.

Key Takeaways:

  • A cross-sectional survey of 971 Chinese university students revealed a significant positive correlation between students' psychological wellbeing and the quality of family interaction and support received.
  • Family interaction quality and support were significantly negatively correlated with the students' COVID-19 burnout.
  • The mediation analysis suggested that family interaction quality and support mediated the association between the students' COVID-19 burnout and psychological wellbeing.
  • The study found that Chinese college students who received high-quality family interaction and support were better equipped to cope with COVID-19-related stress and maintain their psychological wellbeing.
  • The research identified a need for targeted interventions to support students during public health crises, taking into account the importance of family support and interaction.
  • Study authors included Jia Zhuang and Susan Xiqing Su, with Jia Zhuang as the lead researcher from the Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
  • Funders for this research included the Seed Grant Funding Scheme of Hong Kong Baptist University.

Statistics:

  • The study surveyed a diverse sample of 971 Chinese university students across four regions: Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macau, and London.
  • The research found a significantly positive correlation between university students' psychological wellbeing and the family interaction quality and support received.
  • The study's results revealed a significant negative correlation between family interaction quality and support and the students' COVID-19 burnout.
  • The mediation analysis suggested a significant mediating effect of family interaction quality and support on the association between the students' COVID-19 burnout and psychological wellbeing.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Hong Kong Polytechnic University Researchers Add New Data to Research in COVID-19 (How Chinese College Students Coped with COVID-19 Burnout: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Mediating Effect of Family Support and Interaction Quality). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. July 13, 2025; p 105.
  • Zhuang, J., et al. (2025). How Chinese College Students Coped with COVID-19 Burnout: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Mediating Effect of Family Support and Interaction Quality. Behavioral Sciences, 15(6), 736. (https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060736)

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