How Fear of COVID-19 Promotes Posttraumatic Growth During COVID-19 Epidemic: A Moderated Mediation Model

Objective: Recent studies have shown that the COVID-19 lockdown contributes to the psychological and physical stress of college students, who are forced to adjust to this tough time. The objective of this study was to explore how positive coping behaviors and fear of COVID-19 predicted posttraumatic growth (PTG) among Chinese college students in Wuhan during the latest lockdown. Method: Chinese college students in Wuhan (N = 982) aged 18-30 were recruited and completed an online survey, which assessed the fear of COVID-19, positive coping, reflective rumination, and PTG. Results: Chinese college students reported high levels of PTG at the total scale (79.4%) and subdomains (83.7%). Fear of COVID-19 can not only directly influence PTG, but can also indirectly affect PTG through the mediating role of positive coping. Additionally, reflective rumination moderates the association between fear of COVID-19 and positive coping, whereby fear of COVID-19 promotes positive coping in college students with a higher level of reflective rumination. Conclusion: PTG in college students is the result of both positive behavior and reflective cognition during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Therefore, in order to promote students' positive psychological changes, students should be encouraged to interpret situations positively and take proactive responses. Clinical Impact Statement COVID-19 has created a severe sense of panic among people from all walks of life. Distress felt during stressful events has been found to be associated with personal growth. The present study explored the effects and mechanisms of the fear of COVID-19 on posttraumatic growth (PTG). The results showed that among Chinese college students with high levels of reflective rumination, the fear of COVID-19 better influences PTG through positive coping. The findings have guiding significance for school administrators to organize practice interventions during and after the COVID-19 epidemic.