以書目計量法分析新冠疫情對中國大學生心理健康研究的影響

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Research into Chinese University Students’ Mental Health: A Bibliometric Analysis

新冠疫情加劇了焦慮與抑鬱發生率，促使心理健康研究增多，其中大學生作為易感群體成為研究焦點。為了解公衛危機下科研活動的演變，本研究運用書目計量學方法分析2017至2022年間中國大學生心理健康相關文獻，檢視研究趨勢及協作網絡，探討疫情前後研究主題、領域與合作模式的變化。疫情後文獻量與開放取用比例有顯著成長，研究興趣從「臨床診斷」轉向「身心福祉」；中國與疫情重災區、發展中國家的國際合作，以及醫學院校與頂尖學術單位之間的機構合作密度都有明顯提升。本研究凸顯書目計量學與心理學在心理健康議題的跨學科合作價值，圖書館、學術期刊、國際聯盟及資助機構也可據此改善未來疫情期間的支持體系，為應對複合型公衛挑戰提供方法論參考。

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic increased anxiety and depression rates, prompting heightened research activity in mental health, particularly among vulnerable populations like university students. Research activity adapted in order to address issues arising in this new landscape. Objectives: This study aims to explore the changes in scientific activity and response trends during a public health crisis, with a particular focus on analyzing research themes, categories, and collaboration patterns related to the mental health of Chinese university students before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Using bibliometric methods, data were extracted from Web of Science to analyze scientific output related to the mental health of Chinese university students from 2017 to 2022. Descriptive statistics and visual analysis tools were employed to explore publication trends and collaboration patterns. Discussion: After the pandemic, there is an increase in the total amount of literature and open-access publications. Research topics have shifted towards prioritizing student well-being over clinical diagnoses. Strengthened international and institutional collaboration is evident through increased cooperation with developing countries and those heavily impacted by the pandemic, as well as intensified partnerships between medical universities and prestigious academic institutions. Conclusions: The findings of this research can guide supportive efforts by libraries, academic journals, international partnerships, and funding bodies to address mental health challenges during future epidemics. Furthermore, they highlight the value of collaboration between bibliometrics and psychology in tackling the complex issues surrounding mental health in such contexts. Professionals in bibliometrics and psychology should collaborate to address the complex challenges posed by mental health and future epidemics.