This study protocol specifies the primary research line and theoretical framework of the 2023 Survey of the Psychology and Behavior of the Chinese Population. It aims to establish a consistent database of Chinese residents' psychological and behavioral surveys through multi‐center and large‐sample cross‐sectional surveys to provide robust data support for developing research in related fields. It will track the public's physical and psychological health more comprehensively and systematically.

The study was conducted from June 20, 2023 to August 31, 2023, using stratified and quota sampling methods. A total of 150 cities across 800 communities/villages were surveyed, selected from China (Despite extensive coordination, we have been unable to contact our counterparts in the Taiwan region of China to obtain relevant statistical data). The questionnaires were distributed to the public one‐on‐one and face‐to‐face by trained surveyors. The questionnaires included basic information about the individual, personal health status, basic information about the family, the social environment in which the individual lives, psychological condition scales, behavioral level scales, other scales, and attitudes towards topical social issues. Supervisors conducted quality control during the distribution process and returned questionnaires, logically checked and cleaned for data analysis.

Data collection has been finished, and scientific outputs based on this data will support the development of health promotion strategies in China and globally. In the aftermath of the pandemic, it will guide policymakers and healthcare organizations to improve their existing policies and services to maximize the physical and mental health of the Chinese population.

This study was filed in the National Health Security Information Platform (Record No.: MR‐37‐23‐017876) and officially registered in the China Clinical Trials Registry (Registration No.: ChiCTR2300072573).

To explore the mechanism of infectious disease prevention behavior on quality of life, and to investigate the mediating role of self‐efficacy and the moderating role of family structure.

A total of 3015 subjects were selected by multistage stratified cluster sampling.

Infectious disease prevention behavior had a significant positive predictive effect on the quality of life (β = 0.08, p < 0.001), The self‐efficacy of family members had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between infectious disease prevention behavior and quality of life (β = 0.01, p < 0.001). Compared to nuclear family, conjugal family (β = 0.05, p < 0.001) and single‐parent family (β = 0.04, p < 0.01) could regulate the relationship between infectious disease prevention behavior and the quality of life, stem family (β = −1.53, p < 0.05), conjugal family (β = 1.63, p < 0.05), and collective family (β = −1.37, p < 0.05) could regulate the relationship between infectious disease prevention behavior and self‐efficacy, conjugal family (β = 0.00, p < 0.001) could regulate the relationship between self‐efficacy and quality of life.

Infectious disease prevention behavior can affect the quality of life through self‐efficacy. Different family structures play a regulatory role in different paths, and a regulatory mediation model is established.