More Positive Emotion, Less Stress Perception?

Abstract

Purpose

Shanghai, a mega-city with a population of 25 million, was becoming the first city in mainland China to erupt in the Omicron pandemic. The pandemic and the quarantine measures of whole city static management brought out big challenges for the population. This study sought to examine the psychological impact of such quarantine measures.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in China between April 8 to April 14, 2022. The survey contained inventories of stress perception, emotion states, duration of quarantine, and demographic characteristics. A total of 1,051 participants in Shanghai who were quarantined at home were included by random sampling.

Results

We found moderate-to-mild perceived stress (3.248±1.936) and emotion states (3.453±2.094). Individuals with high negative emotions had high levels of perceived stress. Specifically, the population aged 30–49, female, with higher household income, staying with the elderly or children, were more likely to report high stress and negative emotion. Hierarchical regression and the further path analysis indicated that emotion states partially mediated the relationship between quarantined days at home and perceived stress.

Conclusion

There was a moderate-to-mild level of perceived stress and emotion when quarantined at home for an average of 20 days in Shanghai. The present findings implicated more positive emotion then less stress perception at the same duration of quarantine. It was suggested to consider the measures taken to construct positive emotions for the public to overcome negativity and bring out a virtuous circle to thrive, if the quarantine has to be continued for preventing the pandemic.

Keywords:

• omicron pandemic
• zero-COVID policy
• perceived stress
• emotion states
• quarantine at home

Data Sharing Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

This study was approved by the ethics committee of Naval Medical University and the informed consent obtained from the study participants prior to study commencement. All procedures were in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the volunteers who participated in the study.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; have taken part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; have reviewed and agreed on all versions of the article before submission, during revision, the final version accepted for publication, and any significant changes introduced at the proofing stage; have agreed to take responsibility and be accountable for the contents of the article.

Disclosure

The authors declared that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The “13th Five-Year” Dual Construction Project (2020SZ15); Innovative Research Team Project (20200106); Science and Technology Supply Project (2020JY17); Special Project for Research and Development of Medical Science for FW (19WLMS-15).