The scientific world witnessed a surge of researches, from all corners of the world, regarding the humanitarian crisis precipitated by COVID-19 pandemic, more specifically its impact on people’s mental health. However, researchers exploring the association between COVID-19 related fear and mental health are yet to understand the conditions through which potential benefits may occur. Many factors could buffer the effects of COVID-19 related fear on mental health; support system is probably the predominant one. Thus, the present study examined the moderating effects of support system in the association between COVID-19 related fear and mental health outcomes – somatic symptoms, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and depression. Using a web-based cross-sectional survey, we collected data from 163 volunteers assessed with demographic information, COVID-19 related fear, support system, and mental health outcomes. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis and simple effect tests revealed that high levels of support from family, friends, and significant others might buffer/lessen the psychological sequelae (e.g., somatic symptoms, anxiety, and depression during public health emergencies, such as COVID-19 pandemic. Given the potential for negative mental health outcomes following pandemics, such as COVID-19, efforts to enhance peoples’ support system may be especially important.

科学界目睹了来自世界各地的大量研究，涉及 COVID-19 大流行引发的人道主义危机，更具体地说是其对人们心理健康的影响。然而，探索 COVID-19 相关恐惧与心理健康之间关系的研究人员尚未了解可能产生潜在益处的条件。许多因素可以缓冲与 COVID-19 相关的恐惧对心理健康的影响；支持系统可能是主要的系统。因此，本研究探讨了支持系统对 COVID-19 相关恐惧与心理健康结果（躯体症状、广泛性焦虑症（GAD）和抑郁症）之间关系的调节作用。我们通过基于网络的横断面调查收集了 163 名志愿者的数据，对人口统计信息、COVID-19 相关恐惧、支持系统和心理健康结果进行了评估。分层多元回归分析和简单效应测试表明，来自家人、朋友和重要其他人的高水平支持可能会缓冲/减轻心理后遗症（例如，在突发公共卫生事件（例如 COVID-19 大流行）期间出现躯体症状、焦虑和抑郁）鉴于 COVID-19 等流行病可能导致负面心理健康结果，加强人们的支持系统的努力可能尤为重要。