Chinese college students COVID-19 phobia and negative moods: Moderating effects of physical exercise behavior

• Main Authors: Shan-shan Han (Author), Ya-hui Han (Author), Wen-xia Tong (Author), Guang-xu Wang (Author), You-zhi Ke (Author), Shu-qiao Meng (Author), Qiang Guo (Author), Zhong-lei Cui (Author), Jun-yong Zhang (Author), Yu-peng Ye (Author), Yao Zhang (Author), Ya-xing Li (Author), Bo Li (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2022-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2296-2565; 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1046326
• Keywords: specific phobias; negative moods; moderating effects; COVID-19; mental health; college students; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Frontiers in Public Health, Vol 10 (2022)

ObjectiveWe investigated the effects of COVID-19 fear on negative moods among college students, and assessed the efficacy of physical exercise behavior as a moderator variable.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. Students from three colleges and universities in Shangqiu City, Henan Province and Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province were enrolled in this study, which was performed during the COVID-19 pandemic using an online questionnaire. A total of 3,133 college students completed the questionnaire. Measurement tools included the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S), Depression-Anxiety-Stress Self-Rating Scale (DASS), and the Physical Activity Behavior Scale (PARS-3).ResultsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the rates of depression, anxiety, and stressful negative moods among college students were 35.5, 65.5, and 10.95%, respectively; there was a positive correlation between COVID-19 fear and negative moods among college students (r = 0.479, p < 0.001), which was negatively correlated with physical exercise behavior (r = −0.4, p < 0.001); the regulating effects of physical exercise behavior were significant (ΔR2 = 0.04, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe rate of negative moods among college students is high, and the fear for COVID-19 is one of the key factors that lead to negative moods. Physical exercise can modulate the impact of COVID-19 fear among college students on negative moods. Studies should elucidate on mental health issues among different populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.