Objective: To explore the distribution of anxiety symptoms and related factors among Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to provide references for mental health education and management strategies tailored to Chinese college students amidst the pandemic. Methods: Both Chinese and English databases were searched to collect studies on factors related to anxiety symptoms in Chinese college students, along with surveys conducted between January 1st, 2020, and February 1st, 2023. Following the AHRQ cross-sectional study quality evaluation standards, a quality assessment of the included research data was conducted. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 12. Results: A total of 1,057 references were searched, with 40 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. These studies collectively surveyed 189,005 individuals, among whom 57,456 individuals were found to exhibit anxiety symptoms. The anxiety detection rate was calculated at 25.6% (95% CI: 20.5–30.6%), significantly higher than the anxiety risk detection rate among the general Chinese population (15.8%). Gender, the impact of the pandemic on personal life, and awareness of COVID-19 were identified as factors influencing the detection rate of anxiety among college students. Conclusions: The anxiety levels among Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic were notably severe. Consequently, university personnel should prioritize the mental well-being of these students and implement timely psychological interventions.
World Health Organization, 2020, Statement on the Second Meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee Regarding the Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Viewed January 30th, 2020. https://www.who.int/news/item/30-01-2020-statement-on-the-second-meeting-of-the-international-healthregulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-outbreak-of-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)
Fu W, Yan S, Zong Q, et al., 2021, Mental Health of College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China. J Affect Disord, 280(Pt A): 7–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.11.032
Zhang X, Shi X, Wang Y, et al., 2021, Risk Factors of Psychological Responses of Chinese University Students During the COVID-19 Outbreak: Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey Study. J Med Internet Res, 23(7): e29312. https://doi.org/10.2196/29312
Wang D, Chen H, Zhai S, et al., 2021, Is Returning to School During the COVID-19 Pandemic Stressful? A Study on Immediate Mental Health Status of Chinese College Students. J Affect Disord, 287: 261–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.03.035
Duan H, Gong M, Zhang Q, et al., 2022, Research on Sleep Status, Body Mass Index, Anxiety and Depression of College Students During The Post-Pandemic Era in Wuhan, China. J Affect Disord, 301: 189–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.015
Zeng XT, Liu H, Chen X, etc, 2012, Meta Analysis Series Four: Quality Evaluation Tools for Observational Studies. Chinese Journal of Evidence Based Cardiovascular Medicine, 4(4): 297-299.
Lin C, Tong Y, Bai Y, et al., 2022, Prevalence and Correlates of Depression and Anxiety Among Chinese International Students in US Colleges During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study. PLoS One, 17(4): e0267081. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267081
Zheng H, Li H, Chen Y, et al., 2023, Analysis of College Students’ Mental Health Status and Influencing Factors Under the COVID-19. Health Vocational Education, 41(1): 125–129.
Wang H, 2020, Investigation and Analysis on Anxiety of Vocational College Students in the Early Stage of the Epidemic of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia. Journal of Shandong Medical College, 42(5): 331–333.
Jin Y, Chang W, Chang X, et al., 2021, Analysis of Mental Health and Influencing Factors of College Students During Online Learning of COVID-19. Chinese School Health, 42(4): 574–578.