Table 1 Definitions and descriptive statistics for each type of variable

Dependent variable

Depression

1 = no; 2 = mild;

3 = moderate; 4 = severe

1.971

0.913

Independent variable

Academic stress

1 = no stress,

4 = very stressful

2.783

0.742

Mediating variable

Coping style

0 = negative, 1 = positive

0.906

0.293

Sleep quality

1 = very bad, 5 = very good

3.331

0.953

Interpersonal relationship

1 = very bad, 5 = very good

3.509

0.730

Personal characteristics

Gender

0 = women, 1 = men

0.368

0.482

Marital status

0 = non-single,

1 = single

0.763

0.425

Personality

1 = extrovert;

2 = ambivert;

3 = introvert

2.013

0.632

Student cadre

0 = no, 1 = yes

0.625

0.484

Alcohol drinking

0 = no, 1 = yes

0.144

0.351

Physical condition

1 = very unhealthy,

5 = very healthy

4.038

0.774

Family characteristics

Total household income

(RMB yuan)

1 = less than 20,000;

2 = 20,000–49,999;

3 = 50,000–99,999;

4 = 100,000–199,999;

5 = 200,000 or above

2.933

1.234

Household economy decline

0 = no, 1 = yes

0.587

0.492

Father’s anxiety

1 = no, 4 = very anxious

2.157

0.726

Mother’s anxiety

1 = no, 4 = very anxious

2.192

0.723

Impact of the pandemic on individuals

Attitude towards the pandemic

1 = not at all,

5 = very concerned

3.528

0.892

Negative information received

1 = very little,

5 = very much

3.201

0.907

Quarantine experience

0 = no, 1 = yes

0.185

0.388

Dietary

1 = very bad,

5 = very good

3.387

0.882

Level of panic

1 = not at all

4 = very panicked

1.731

0.542

Internet dependence

1 = not at all

4 = very dependent

3.585

0.889

Teacher’s concern

Counselor’s concern

1 = not at all,

5 = very concerned

4.068

0.910

Tutor’s concern

1 = not at all,

5 = very concerned

2.463

1.148