ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the role of empathy in fostering emotional resilience and the impact of social activity on adolescents' mental health. METHODS: A survey was conducted on 1666 adolescents aged from 11 to 15 across seven cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, etc. Results: Empathy is significantly positively related to emotional resilience (ß = 0.128; p < 0.001). Moreover, depression acts as a mediator between empathy and emotional resilience (ab = 0.106, SE = 0.021, 95% confidence interval [0.065, 0.146]), while self-efficacy plays an incomplete mediating role (ab = 0.286, SE = 0.020, and a 95% confidence interval of [0.246, 0.326]). Additionally, social activity was able to modulate the relationship between empathy and depression (ß = 0.004; p < 0.001), as well as the relationship between empathy and self-efficacy (ß = 0.003; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: For adolescents, (1) greater emotional resilience is associated with higher levels of empathy; (2) improving empathy can indirectly enhance their emotional resilience by reducing their depression level; (3) the relationship between empathy ability and depression is modulated by social activity, and the predictive effect of empathy on depression is reduced when adolescents have high social activity levels; and (4) the relationship between empathy and self-efficacy is also modulated by social activity, and the predictive effect of empathy on self-efficacy is enhanced when adolescents have higher levels of social activity.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread mental health problems, necessitating the investigation of longitudinal mental health changes, associated risk factors, and neural mechanisms in survivors. We recorded demographics, mental health, social support, and potential exposures in survivors at 3 months (n = 189), 6 months (n = 47), and 2 years (n = 69) post-discharge and collected brain imaging data at the second timepoint. Control groups included non-COVID-19 locals (3 months: n = 188, 6 months: n = 42, 2 years: n = 71). Results indicated that female survivors exhibited higher post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and depression levels than female controls for up to 2 years, along with higher anxiety level for up to 6 months. Male survivors had higher PTSS, depression, and anxiety levels than male controls at 2 months. Moreover, COVID-related trauma and low social support were risk factors for PTSS and negative emotions in survivors. Neuroimaging revealed increased amygdala activity in male survivors and correlations between hippocampus activity and depression symptoms as well as between right hippocampus activity and social support. Our study emphasized the importance of monitoring mental wellness in COVID-19 survivors and underscored the crucial role of social support in mitigating mental health problems.
