Emotion regulation habits and emotional states of college students during lockdown: A cross-sectional survey.

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of negative emotional states, such as anxiety and depression, has increased annually. Although personal habits are known to influence emotional regulation, the precise mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear.

Aim: To investigate emotion regulation habits impact on students negative emotions during lockdown, using the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic as a case example.

Methods: During the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown, an online cross-sectional survey was conducted at a Chinese university. Emotional states were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), while demographic data and emotion regulation habits were collected concurrently. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27.0 and included χ ²-tests for intergroup comparisons, Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficient analysis to examine associations, and stepwise linear regression modeling to explore the relationships between emotion regulation habits and emotional states. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05.

Results: Among the 494 valid questionnaires analyzed, the prevalence rates of negative emotional states were as follows: Depression (65.0%), anxiety (69.4%), and stress (50.8%). DASS-21 scores (mean ± SD) demonstrated significant symptomatology: Total (48.77 ± 34.88), depression (16.21 ± 12.18), anxiety (14.90 ± 11.91), and stress (17.64 ± 12.07). Significant positive intercorrelations were observed among all DASS-21 subscales (P < 0.01). Regression analysis identified key predictors of negative emotions (P < 0.05): Risk factors included late-night frequency and academic pressure, while protective factors were the frequency of parental contact and the number of same-gender friends. Additionally, compensatory spending and binge eating positively predicted all negative emotion scores (β > 0, P < 0.01), whereas appropriate recreational activities negatively predicted these scores (β < 0, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: High negative emotion prevalence occurred among confined students. Recreational activities were protective, while compensatory spending and binge eating were risk factors, necessitating guided emotion regulation.