A Survey of Psychological Responses During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Epidemic among Chinese Police Officers in Wuhu

Abstract

Background

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has presented serious threats to people’s health and lives. Police officers are bravely fighting on the front lines of the epidemic. The main purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of psychological responses among police officers during the COVID-19 pandemic and find influencing factors in depression and anxiety.

Methods

A cross-sectional online questionnaire was administered to police officers in Wuhu through WeChat, and data were collected between March 10 and 26, 2020. A total of 3,561 questionnaires were received, of which 3,517 were considered valid. The questionnaires included demographic information and a psychological survey. The depression scale of the Patient Health QuestionnaireQ9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale were utilized to assess depression and anxiety, respectively.

Results

The mean depression score of participants was 4.10±4.87 (0–27), and 12.17%had moderate–severe depression. The mean anxiety score of participants was 3.59±4.228 (0–21), and 8.79% had moderate–severe anxiety. Older and married police officers were at higher risk of anxiety. Those with a bachelor’s degree or above, living near the city center, and taking sleeping pills were at greater risk of depression and anxiety. Auxiliary police had lower depression and anxiety scores. Depression scores were strongly correlated withanxiety scores (r=0.863, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Our findings identify factors associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety that can be utilized to develop psychological interventions to improve the mental health of vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• police officers
• psychological responses
• anxiety
• depression

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge and thank the police officers in Wuhu for their participation, service, and assistance in this study.

Abbreviations

COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; GAD7, seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (scale); PHQ9, nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire.

Data-Sharing Statement

The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

All participants provided informed consent online. This study was carried out in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and was approved by the ethics committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College.

Consent for Publication

All institutional consent for publication has been provided.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control Special Emergency project of Wuhu City (grant 2020rkxl-2), research project of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College(grant YR202012), and the Scientific Research Foundation of Wannan Medical College(grant WK2019F20). The funding sources had no role in the design, collection, analysis, or interpretation of data or writing the manuscript.