Impact of perceived severity on depression, anxiety, and insomnia among Chinese community residents during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Abstract

Background: Depression, anxiety, and insomnia were found out that were significant relevance to the mental health impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown.

Aim: To examine the interrelationships among perceived severity, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and sense of security in Chinese community residents during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

Methods: Participants were selected using simple random sampling from four large gated communities in Chengdu, China. All participants were invited to complete a survey that included the Perceived Severity Questionnaire, Security Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item, and Insomnia Severity Index-7. In total, 568 valid questionnaires were gathered. Correlation analysis and structural equation models were used to explore the relationship between perceived severity, sense of security, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Results: The observed prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, and insomnia among residents during lockdown were 27.5%, 17.6%, and 16.0%, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that both perceived severity and sense of security were positively correlated with anxiety, depression, and insomnia [Pearson's r was perceived severity and anxiety r = 0.44 (P < 0.01); with depression r = 0.48 (P < 0.01); with insomnia r = 0.43 (P < 0.01); security with anxiety r = -0.65 (P < 0.01); with depression r = -0.65 (P < 0.01); with insomnia r = -0.53 (P < 0.01)]. Structural equation modeling and bootstrap tests revealed that sense of security acted as a significant mediator in the relationship between perceived severity and emotional and sleep disorders (anxiety, depression, and insomnia).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that sense of security is a significant predictor of emotional and sleep disorders (namely, depression, anxiety, and insomnia) among residents during the COVID-19 lockdown, with sense of security acting as a mediating factor. These findings suggest that mental health interventions for Chinese community residents during lockdowns may benefit from developing community-based educational programs to reduce perceived severity and ensuring the stable supply of essential resources and promoting social support networks to enhance the sense of security.