Emotional Distress and Associated Factors among the General Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic in China: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey

Objective: This study investigated emotional distress and associated factors among the general population in the aftermath of the COVID-19 lockdown in China.

Design and sample: An online nationwide survey was conducted using a self-designed questionnaire, which included items related to demography, lifestyle, and experience of emotional distress during the previous month of the pandemic period. A total of 10,545 respondents completed the survey.

Results: Over 30% of participants reported experiencing one or more symptoms of emotional distress to a moderate or higher degree. Increased emotional distress was associated with COVID-19-related impact on diet (β = −1.106, 95% CI: −1.187 to −1.026, p 0.001), experiencing food shortage (β = 1.334, 95% CI: 1.117 to 1.551, p 0.001), lack of physical exercise (β = −0.845, 95% CI: −1.024 to −0.667, p 0.001), younger age (β = −0.050, 95% CI: −0.062 to −0.039, p 0.001), being a smoker (β = 0.852, 95% CI: 0.604 to 1.100, p 0.001), lower education level (β = −0.524, 95% CI: −0.702 to −0.346, p 0.001), and lack of medical insurance (β = −0.742, 95% CI: −1.012 to −0.473, p 0.001). Emotional distress was negatively associated time spent sleeping (β = −0.020, 95% CI: −0.027 to −0.013, p 0.001).

Conclusion: The levels of emotional distress are high in the aftermath of the lockdown and associated with a number of demographic and lifestyle factors.