The mediating role of reliance in the relationship between anxiety and stress mindset during the COVID-19 period

: Objective: To investigate how reliance mediates the relationship between anxiety and stress mindset among Xi’an residents during the COVID-19 period, and to examine their mental health during the epidemic lockdown. Methods: Using a convenience sampling method, we surveyed 1394 Xi’an residents from January to February 2022 with the General Information Questionnaire, the Stress Mindset Measure, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Connor and Davidson’s Resilience Scale. Results The 1394 residents had an average age of 25.23±6.04 years and scored 53.47±9.30 for trait anxiety, 27.98±5.23 for stress mindset and 99.70±15.25 for reliance. There was a significant positive correlation between trait anxiety and stress mindset (r=0.567, p<0.01), between reliance and stress mindset (r=0.281, p<0.01), and between trait anxiety and reliance (r=0.234, p<0.01). Gender differences were statistically significant for trait anxiety (t=4.199, p<0.01), reliance (t=5.648, p<0.01) and stress mindset (t=4.499, p<0.01). Trait anxiety had a positive effect on stress mindset (b=0.342, p<0.01), as did reliance (b=0.045, p<0.01). Reliance partially mediated the relationship between trait anxiety and stress mindset. Conclusions: Reliance partially mediated the relationship between trait anxiety and stress mindset among the 1394 residents in Xi’an during the COVID-19 period. Multiple factors such as gender, occupation, marital status and physical health need to be considered in the process of controlling the epidemic.