The Impact of COVID-19 Risk Perception on College Students' Positive Psychological Capital: the Role of Psychological Resilience and Social Support

Authors

  • Jinhui Ning

    School of Economics and Management, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071000, China

  • Shi Yin

    School of Economics and Management, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071000, China

  • Xiaoyang Zhang

    School of Economics and Management, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071000, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jpr.v6i2.6315

Abstract

In order to explore the relationship between COVID-19 risk perception and positive psychological capital in college students, this study investigates the mediating role of psychological resilience and the moderating role of social support. Methods: In this study, 586 college students were surveyed by COVID-19 Risk Perception Scale, Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire, Chinese Version of Resilience Scale and Social Support Scale. Results: (1) There is a significant negative correlation between COVID-19 risk perception and positive psychological capital, that is, COVID-19 risk perception can significantly and negatively predict the positive psychological capital of college students. (2) Psychological resilience plays a mediating role between risk perception and positive psychological capital. (3) Social support plays a weakening role in the negative prediction of risk perception on positive psychological capital. Conclusions: COVID-19 risk perception not only directly reduces positive psychological capital, but also affects positive psychological capital of college students through psychological resilience; social support can adjust the negative impact of risk perception on positive psychological capital. This study reveals the relationship between COVID-19 risk perception and college students' positive psychological capital and its mechanism, which has positive enlightenment significance for improving college students' mental health status and better promoting self-regulation during major public health events.

Keywords:

COVID-19; Risk perception; Positive psychological capital; Psychological resilience; Family upbringing; College students

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How to Cite

Ning, J., Yin, S., & Zhang, X. (2024). The Impact of COVID-19 Risk Perception on College Students’ Positive Psychological Capital: the Role of Psychological Resilience and Social Support. Journal of Psychological Research, 6(2), 14–27. https://doi.org/10.30564/jpr.v6i2.6315