Mental health status and related influencing factors in patients with COVID-19

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) has resulted in a significant number of diagnosed patients requiring treatment in designated hospitals. However, limited evidence exists regarding the prevalence of mental health problems and associated psychological factors in COVID-19 patients. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, and insomnia among COVID-19 patients, as well as explored the associations between these mental health problems and psychological factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 387 COVID-19 patients in a designated shelter hospital. Online measures were used to assess anxiety, depression, insomnia, social support, coping styles, and emotional regulation. Data were analyzed to determine the prevalence rates of mental health problems and examine the associations between these problems and the psychological factors. RESULTS: The results revealed high prevalence rates of anxiety (21.80%), depression (49.0%), and insomnia (63.70%) among COVID-19 patients. Objective social support scores and positive coping style scores were significantly associated with lower levels of anxiety, depression, and insomnia, respectively. Conversely, high negative coping style scores, higher education level, and self-perceived illness severity, were significantly related to higher levels of anxiety, depression, or insomnia symptoms. Emotional regulation scores did not show a significant association with any of the examined mental health problems. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have implications for guiding psychological interventions tailored to COVID-19 patients in future outbreaks. By targeting social support and promoting adaptive coping strategies, psychological interventions can address the psychological distress experienced by COVID-19 patients.