How Chinese College Students Coped with COVID-19 Burnout: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Mediating Effect of Family Support and Interaction Quality

While it is widely acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to the mental wellbeing of college students globally, particularly among those studying abroad, little is known about how students navigated the pandemic-related challenges and maintained their psychological wellbeing. This study identifies Chinese college students' coping mechanisms for COVID-19 burnout by investigating the mediating effects of high-quality family interaction and family support on the relationship between COVID-19 burnout and psychological wellbeing. A cross-sectional survey was conducted across four regions-Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macau, and London-encompassing a diverse sample of Chinese university students (<i>N</i> = 971), representing a wide range of demographics. Structural equation modelling was applied to test the mediation model. The results revealed a significantly positive correlation between university students' psychological wellbeing and the family interaction quality and support received. In addition, family interaction quality and support were significantly negatively correlated with the students' COVID-19 burnout. The mediation analysis further suggested that family interaction quality and support mediated the association between the students' COVID-19 burnout and psychological wellbeing. These findings have contributed to the literature by addressing the underexplored external factors affecting psychological wellbeing, offering vital insights for informing targeted interventions aimed at supporting students during public health crises.