Investigation on the Mental Health Status and Risk Factors Among Chinese Overseas Students Under COVID-19 Outbreak

Abstract Background Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 had caused a global pandemic. According to incomplete statistics, at least 400,000 of Chinese overseas students were now staying abroad during the COVID-19 epidemic. Under the condition of extensive isolation, the social support system was also impacted, all this will lead to various kinds of psychological problems. However, there are no studies on the psychological problems of Chinese overseas students during the epidemic at home and abroad. ObjectivesTo investigate the mental health status and its risk factors among Chinese overseas students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey based on structured questionnaire through various social platforms (WeChat, QQ, etc.). The contents of the structured questionnaire included: demographic characteristics, 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7) and 15-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15). Results ① The incidence rates of depression, anxiety and physical symptoms were 60.3%, 53.2% and 83.3%, respectively. ② There were significant statistical differences in the incidence rates of depression, anxiety and physical symptoms between different genders (depression: x2= 148.94, P=0.000; anxiety: x2=129.45, P=0.000; physical symptoms: x2=62.73, P=0.000). Significant statistical differences were also found in the incidence rates of depression and anxiety among different education levels (depression: x2=10.82, P=0.013; anxiety: x2=9.09, P=0.028). Additionally, there were significant statistical differences in the incidence rates of depression (x2=12.77, P=0.005) among different ages, and time of daily attention to epidemic-related information were closely associated with physical symptoms (x2=12.14, P=0.007). ③Logistic regression analysis showed that the female have a higher risk of developing depression [OR=0.017, 95% CI: 0.008~0.037, P=0.000], anxiety [OR=0.024, 95% CI: 0.011~0.051, P=0.000] and physical symptoms [OR=0.018, 95%CI: 0.004~0.078, P=0.000], and time of daily attention to epidemic-related information was positively associated with the level of physical symptoms [OR=0.610, 95% CI: 0.415~0.895, P=0.012]. Conclusion During the COVID-19 epidemic, Chinese overseas students were highly susceptible to a series of psychological and mental problems, including depression, anxiety and physical symptoms, and have a relatively higher risk than other populations. The purpose of this study is to call on relevant departments to pay attention to the psychological problems of this special group and propose effective prevention and control measures to ensure the mental health of the masses during the epidemic and promote the scientific development of mental health work.