Impact of Family Function on Mental Health Problems of College Students in China During COVID-19 Pandemic and Moderating Role of Coping Style: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, college students were required to stay at home and maintain social distancing the entire spring semester of 2020. There is little research on how family function influenced mental health problems and how coping styles moderated the relationship between family function and mental health problems among college students during their stay-at-home period. Methods We carried out four evaluations between February and October 2020 through an online survey. A total of 13,462 college students (age = 16–29 years) participated. Family function, coping styles, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms were studied. To evaluate the associations between variables, a generalized estimating equation was used. Results Findings indicate that the incidence rates of depression rose during stay-at-home period from 33.87%, 95% CI (29.88%, 38.10%) to 40.08% 95% CI (35.76%, 44.55%) after schools reopened, χ2 = 193.68, p < 0.001. The incidence rates of anxiety rose from 17.45%, 95% CI (14.59%, 20.73%) to 26.53%, 95% CI (16.94%, 23.67%) through the entire period, χ2 = 195.74, p < 0.001. The incidence rate of depression and anxiety for different family function groups varied at different time points, the interaction effect was significant (χ2 = 52.97, p < 0.001 and χ2 = 51.25, p < 0.001, respectively). The incidence rate of depression and anxiety for different family function groups with different coping styles also varied at different time points, the interaction effect was likewise significant (χ2 = 862.09, p < 0.001 and χ2 = 583.29, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions These findings shed light on how family function intersected with coping styles to influence the mental health problems of college students during and after the stay-at-home period of COVID-19. These findings highlight the importance of paying special attention to college students' family function and promoting appropriate coping strategies during and after COVID-19.