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. 2006 Aug;53(2):114-24.
doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2005.10.019. Epub 2005 Dec 15.

Positive mental health-related impacts of the SARS epidemic on the general public in Hong Kong and their associations with other negative impacts

Joseph T F Lau  1 , Xilin Yang, H Y Tsui, Ellie Pang, Yun Kwok Wing
Affiliations

Positive mental health-related impacts of the SARS epidemic on the general public in Hong Kong and their associations with other negative impacts

Joseph T F Lau et al. J Infect. 2006 Aug.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate 2 positive impacts (better family/social support and lifestyle changes) and their associations with other negative impacts.

Study design and participants: A telephone survey using random telephone numbers and a structured questionnaire was conducted in Hong Kong general population. Eight hundred and eighteen Hong Kong residents of age 18-60 years completed the interview (response rate: 65%) at around end of June 2003, the early ending phase of the epidemic.

Results: Over 60% of the respondents stated that they cared more about the family members' feelings; about 30%-40% stated that they found their friends, their family members more supportive or having more sharing with others when not feeling happy; only a few percent felt the opposite. Further, about 2/3 of the respondents paid more attention to their mental health. About 35%-40% took more time to rest, for relaxation or doing exercise. These items were, in general, negatively associated with post-traumatic stress, perception of stress and other perceptions that were related to SARS.

Conclusions: SARS have brought some positive impacts on social/family support, mental health awareness and lifestyle changes. These positive impacts were associated with other relevant negative impacts and might be important cushions of the negative impact.

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References

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