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Ierardi E, Bottini M, Preti E, Di Pierro R, Madeddu F, Riva Crugnola C. Attachment styles, mental health, and trauma during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in an Italian adult population. RESEARCH IN PSYCHOTHERAPY (MILANO) 2023; 26:689. [PMID: 38224217 PMCID: PMC10849074 DOI: 10.4081/ripppo.2023.689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted adults' mental health around the world. Various studies highlighted the role of sociodemographic risk factors, including age, gender, and level of education, in increasing this impact. Although insecure attachment styles are considered a vulnerability factor for psychopathology and difficulties in coping with stressful situations, few studies have examined the role of attachment styles in relation to psychological responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to investigate the role of attachment styles in affecting psychopathological problems and post-traumatic symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of Italian adults (N=1548). During the first lockdown in Italy, the Attachment Style Questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and Symptom Checklist 90-Revised were administered to the participants to assess attachment styles, trauma-related symptoms, and psychopathological problems. The results showed that 41% of the participants had symptoms of clinical and subclinical relevance during the pandemic. Anxious and avoidant insecure attachment styles predicted psychopathological problems and post-traumatic symptoms, whereas secure attachment style was a protective factor. Our results highlighted the significant role played by the quality of attachment styles on adult mental health during the pandemic, providing valuable elements for targeted psychological support interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Ierardi
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan.
| | - Marta Bottini
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan.
| | - Emanuele Preti
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan.
| | | | - Fabio Madeddu
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan.
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Perego G, Cugnata F, Brombin C, Milano F, Mazzetti M, Taranto P, Preti E, Di Pierro R, De Panfilis C, Madeddu F, Di Mattei VE. Analysis of healthcare workers' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from a three-wave longitudinal study. J Health Psychol 2023; 28:1279-1292. [PMID: 37078431 PMCID: PMC10119662 DOI: 10.1177/13591053231168040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The "Healthcare workers' wellbeing [Benessere Operatori]" project is an exploratory longitudinal study assessing healthcare workers' mental health at three different time points over a 14-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected socio-demographic and work-related information and assessed the perceived social support, coping strategies, and levels of depression, anxiety, insomnia, anger, burnout, and PTSD symptoms. In total, 325 Italian healthcare workers (i.e. physicians, nurses, other healthcare workers, and clerks) participated in the first initial survey and either the second or third subsequent survey. Participants reported subclinical levels of psychiatric symptoms that remained mostly unchanged across time, except for an increase in stress, depression, state anger, and emotional exhaustion symptoms. Despite subclinical levels, healthcare workers' distress can adversely affect the quality of care, patient satisfaction, and medical error rates. Therefore, implementing interventions to improve healthcare workers' wellbeing is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Perego
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University,
Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute,
Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Valentina E Di Mattei
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University,
Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute,
Italy
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Lo Coco G, Salerno L, Albano G, Pazzagli C, Lagetto G, Mancinelli E, Freda MF, Bassi G, Giordano C, Gullo S, Di Blasi M. Psychosocial predictors of trajectories of mental health distress during the COVID-19 pandemic: A four-wave panel study. Psychiatry Res 2023; 326:115262. [PMID: 37270863 PMCID: PMC10205647 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Previous research suggested that during the COVID-19 pandemic, mental distress did not affect all people equally. This longitudinal study aims to examine joint trajectories of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms in a sample of Italian adults during the pandemic, and to identify psychosocial predictors of distress states. We analyzed four-wave panel data from 3,931 adults who had received assessments of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms between April 2020 and May 2021. Trajectories of individual psychological distress were identified by Latent Class Growth Analysis (LCGA) with parallel processes, and multinomial regression models were conducted to identify baseline predictors. Parallel process LCGA identified three joint trajectory classes for depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. Most individuals (54%) showed a resilient trajectory. However, two subgroups showed vulnerable joint trajectories for depression, anxiety and stress. Expressive suppression, intolerance to uncertainty, and fear of COVID-19 were risk characteristics associated with vulnerable trajectories for mental health distress. Moreover, vulnerability to mental health distress was higher in females, younger age groups and those unemployed during the first lockdown. Findings support the fact that group heterogeneity could be detected in the trajectories of mental health distress during the pandemic and it may help to identify subgroups at risk of worsening states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Lo Coco
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Laura Salerno
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaia Albano
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Chiara Pazzagli
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Gloria Lagetto
- Department of History, Society and Human Studies Studium 2000, University of Salento, Edificio 5, Via di Valesio, 24-73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Elisa Mancinelli
- Department of Developmental and Socialization Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8-35132, Padova, Italy; Digital Health Lab, Centre for Digital Health and Wellbeing, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Via Sommarive 18-38123, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Bassi
- Department of Developmental and Socialization Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8-35132, Padova, Italy; Digital Health Lab, Centre for Digital Health and Wellbeing, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Via Sommarive 18-38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Cecilia Giordano
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gullo
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Di Blasi
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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4
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Reatto LL, Werbart A, Oasi O, De Salve F, Ierardi E, Giordano M, Riva Crugnola C. Understanding psychoanalytic work online and back to the couch in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic: an investigation among Italian psychoanalysts. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1167582. [PMID: 37425145 PMCID: PMC10324410 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1167582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Worldwide, psychotherapists' clinical experience went through rapid developments with transition to teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Literature on the use of remote psychoanalysis was not conclusive, leaving the issue of the consequences of the necessary setting alternation open. This study aimed to investigate the psychoanalysts' experiences of shifting to remote work and then returning to in-person setting, considering the effect of the patients' attachment styles and personality configurations. Method Seventy-one analysts of the Italian Psychoanalytic Society were asked to fill out an online survey about patients who found the transition easier and patients who found it more difficult. General questions on therapeutic work, ISTS (Interpretive and Supportive Technique Scale) for interpretive and supportive aspects of technique, WAI-S-TR (Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised-Therapist) for therapeutic alliance, RQ (Relationship Questionnaire) for attachment style, and PMAI (Prototype Matching of Anaclitic-Introjective Personality Configuration) for personality configurations were administered. Results All of the analysts chose to continue the treatment using audio-visual tools. Patients with difficult transitions had a significantly higher frequency of insecure attachment and a higher score on RQ Dismissing scale than patients with easy transitions. No significant differences were found between the two groups in personality configurations, psychotherapeutic alliance, and psychotherapeutic technique. Moreover, a higher level of therapeutic alliance was positively correlated to RQ Secure scale and was negatively correlated to RQ Dismissing scale. Patients with easy transition both to remote work and back to in-person setting had higher scores of therapeutic alliances than those with difficult transition both to remote work and back to in-person setting. Conclusion Online psychoanalytic therapy was widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients with insecure attachment styles had greater difficulties in adapting to setting alternations, thus confirming that insecure attachment is a vulnerability factor not only for psychopathological problems but also for a well-functioning therapeutic collaboration. Patient's personality configuration did not influence their adaptation to the setting alternation. The supportive and interpretive styles did not undergo significant changes in the transition from in-person setting to remote setting and vice versa, thus suggesting a continuity in the analysts' "internal setting."
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrzej Werbart
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Osmano Oasi
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca De Salve
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Ierardi
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Mattia Giordano
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
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Paltrinieri S, Bressi B, Mazzini E, Fugazzaro S, Rondini E, Giorgi Rossi P, Costi S. Activities Carried Out during the First COVID-19 Lockdown by Italian Citizens. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3906. [PMID: 36900917 PMCID: PMC10001561 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has altered how citizens engage in activities. This study describes the new activities citizens engaged in during the first lockdown, factors that helped them cope with the confinement, the supports they used the most, and which supports they would have liked to receive. This cross-sectional study consists of an online survey made of 49 questions that was completed by the citizens of the province of Reggio Emilia (Italy) from 4 May until 15 June 2020. The outcomes of this study were explored by focusing on four of the survey questions. Of the 1826 citizens who responded, 84.2% had started new leisure activities. Males, participants who lived in the plain or foothills, and those who experienced nervousness engaged less in new activities, while those whose employment status changed, whose lifestyle worsened, or whose use of alcohol increased engaged in more activities. The support of family and friends, leisure activities, continuing to work, and an optimistic attitude were perceived to be of help. Grocery delivery and hotlines providing any type of information and mental health support were used frequently; a lack of health and social care services and of support in reconciling work with childcare was perceived. Findings may help institutions and policy makers to better support citizens in any future circumstances requiring prolonged confinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Paltrinieri
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Public Health Sciences PhD Program, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Bressi
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
- PhD Program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Elisa Mazzini
- Scientific Directorate Hospital Network, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Stefania Fugazzaro
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Ermanno Rondini
- Lega Italiana Contro i Tumori-LILT Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Regional Center for Education in Health Promotion-Luoghi di Prevenzione, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Paolo Giorgi Rossi
- Epidemiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Stefania Costi
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
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Fioravanti G, Bocci Benucci S, Prostamo A, Banchi V, Casale S. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological health in a sample of Italian adults: A three-wave longitudinal study. Psychiatry Res 2022; 315:114705. [PMID: 35809495 PMCID: PMC9250412 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting societal restrictions have had negative implications for mental health in the general population. The aims of the present longitudinal study were (i) to investigate changes in psychopathological symptoms and psychological well-being in a sample of Italian individuals surveyed at different points of the pandemic and (ii) to evaluate the potential risk and protective factors associated with the psychopathological outcomes. Self-reported data on psychiatric symptoms, and psychological well-being were collected in March 2020 (T0, the lockdown phase), in May 2020 (T1, the end of the lockdown phase), and in November 2020 (T2, the second wave of COVID-19 infection). 1258 participants (Mage=23.43, SDage=6.45; 75.4% female) were recruited at T0. Of these, 712 also completed the T1 survey, and 369 also completed the T2 survey. A significant decrease in anxiety, depressive, posttraumatic, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms and a significant increase in psychological well-being were observed from T0 to T1. All psychopathological symptoms increased, and psychological well-being decreased significantly from T1 to T2. Several demographic, psychological and COVID-19-related factors emerged as predictors over the course of the pandemic. The current findings indicated that psychological health covaried with the intensity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated societal restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Fioravanti
- Department of Health Sciences, Psychology Unit, University of Florence, via di San Salvi 12, Florence 50100, Italy.
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7
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Gullo S, Gelo OCG, Bassi G, Lo Coco G, Lagetto G, Esposito G, Pazzagli C, Salcuni S, Freda MF, Mazzeschi C, Giordano C, Di Blasi M. The role of emotion regulation and intolerance to uncertainty on the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and distress. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 42:1-12. [PMID: 35496361 PMCID: PMC9037968 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03071-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is increasing negative consequences on mental health around the globe. To date, research on what psychological factors could influence individuals' distress is still scarce. The current study aims to test a multiple mediation model to examine the role of Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) and emotional regulation (i.e., expressive suppression and cognitive reappraisal) as joint factors, which can increase understanding of psychological distress due to the COVID-19 outbreak. An online survey measuring fear of COVID-19, IU, emotional regulation, and psychological distress was administered to 3863 Italian adults (females 73.3%; M age = 36.44; SD = 14.74) during lockdown. Results showed that IU partially mediated the effect of fear of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety and stress. Moreover, individuals with difficulties in managing the uncertainties due to their fear of COVID-19 may be at risk for heightened use of expressive suppression and depression. However, individuals with both higher IU and expressive suppression showed lower level of stress. High cognitive reappraisal has a mediational effect on the relationship between fear of COVID-19, IU, and lower psychological distress. Findings suggest that IU and emotional regulation should be targeted for informing the development of tailored treatments to reduce the negative consequences of the outbreak. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-03071-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Gullo
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, edificio 15–90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Omar Carlo Gioacchino Gelo
- Present Address: Faculty of Psychotherapy Science, Sigmund Freud University Vienna, Freudplatz 1–1020, Vienna, Austria
- Department of History, Society and Human Studies Studium 2000, University of Salento, Edificio 5, Via di Valesio, 24–73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Giulia Bassi
- Department of Developmental and Socialization Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8–35132, Padova, Italy
- Digital Health Lab, Centre for Digital Health and Wellbeing, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Via Sommarive 18–38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Gianluca Lo Coco
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, edificio 15–90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gloria Lagetto
- Department of History, Society and Human Studies Studium 2000, University of Salento, Edificio 5, Via di Valesio, 24–73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Giovanna Esposito
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Via Porta di Massa–80133, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Pazzagli
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, P.zza Ermini 1–06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Salcuni
- Department of Developmental and Socialization Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8–35132, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Freda
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Via Porta di Massa–80133, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Mazzeschi
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, P.zza Ermini 1–06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Cecilia Giordano
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, edificio 15–90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Di Blasi
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, edificio 15–90128, Palermo, Italy
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Ierardi E, Bottini M, Riva Crugnola C. Effectiveness of an online versus face-to-face psychodynamic counselling intervention for university students before and during the COVID-19 period. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:35. [PMID: 35193671 PMCID: PMC8861610 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00742-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has increased online counselling interventions, including those aimed at university students. The principal aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the online counselling intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic, also with regards to the effectiveness of the face-to-face intervention. METHODS 34 students (Mean age = 23.74; Female = 27) who requested online university counselling during COVID-19 have been compared with 81 (Mean age = 22.8; Female = 60) students who requested university face-to-face counselling before the pandemic. The psychopathological problems were assessed with the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised, attachment styles with the Attachment Style Questionnaire, adverse childhood experiences with Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, and life satisfaction with the Life Satisfaction Scale. RESULTS At the pre-intervention phase, psychological distress was similar in both groups with no differences in the General Severity Index of the SCL-90 R, and there were no significant differences for secure/insecure attachment, adverse childhood experiences, and life satisfaction. The online counselling intervention during the pandemic was effective in reducing psychological distress scales as depression (p = .008), obsessive-compulsive (p = .008), interpersonal sensitivity (p = .005), and anxiety (p = .011), and in the total scale of the SCL-90 R (p = .017). The face-to-face counselling intervention was effective in reducing psychological distress in all subscales and in the total scale of the SCL-90 R (p = .000) and in increasing the level of life satisfaction (p = .023). Attachment style did not moderate the effectiveness of the online and face-to-face interventions. CONCLUSIONS Students seeking counselling, both before and during the pandemic, show similar levels of psychological distress. The online counselling intervention was almost as effective as face-to-face counselling intervention with respect to psychological distress; it was not effective in increasing life satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Ierardi
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy.
| | - Marta Bottini
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Riva Crugnola
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
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García MJ, López-Morales H, del-Valle MV, Canet-Juric L, Urquijo S. COVID-19 in Lifespan: Psychological Impact between Young and Older Adults in Argentina. ADVANCES IN GERONTOLOGY 2022. [PMCID: PMC9774059 DOI: 10.1134/s2079057022040075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus pandemic has had a serious and worldwide impact. The increase in psychopathological symptomatology has affected people regardless of their age but has been observed mainly in the elderly population due to the characteristics of the virus. This study aimed to analyze and compare the psychological impact, as measured by the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, in a group of young and older adults at three-time points during the pandemic. Virtual surveys were used to measure participants’ symptomatology and collect socio-demographic information. The results showed a significant increase in anxiety and depression in the general population. However, when comparing the two groups, statistical differences were observed. Younger adults showed higher mean anxiety and depression than older adults, which was sustained across the three times for both groups. Nevertheless, the increase in depressive symptomatology slows in young people between the second and third waves, while it continues to increase in older adults. Those results are a contribution to the study of individual differences in the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. J. García
- Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT UNMdP-CONICET), Funes 3250, Cuerpo V, Nivel III, (7600) Mar del Plata, B7602AYJ Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - H. López-Morales
- Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT UNMdP-CONICET), Funes 3250, Cuerpo V, Nivel III, (7600) Mar del Plata, B7602AYJ Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M. V. del-Valle
- Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT UNMdP-CONICET), Funes 3250, Cuerpo V, Nivel III, (7600) Mar del Plata, B7602AYJ Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - L. Canet-Juric
- Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT UNMdP-CONICET), Funes 3250, Cuerpo V, Nivel III, (7600) Mar del Plata, B7602AYJ Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - S. Urquijo
- Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT UNMdP-CONICET), Funes 3250, Cuerpo V, Nivel III, (7600) Mar del Plata, B7602AYJ Buenos Aires, Argentina
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10
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Di Blasi M, Albano G, Bassi G, Mancinelli E, Giordano C, Mazzeschi C, Pazzagli C, Salcuni S, Lo Coco G, Gelo OCG, Lagetto G, Freda MF, Esposito G, Caci B, Merenda A, Salerno L. Factors Related to Women's Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from a Two-Wave Longitudinal Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:11656. [PMID: 34770172 PMCID: PMC8583639 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of research has highlighted the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women's mental health. Previous studies showed that women have higher levels of depression, anxiety and PTSD, and worse psychological adjustment than men, which also persisted after the earlier phase of the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate changes in women's psychological distress during the pandemic and to evaluate the factors that have a more significant impact in predicting women's psychological distress. METHODS This two-wave longitudinal study (T1 = Italian first lockdown, and T2 = second phase, when the restrictive measures were eased) involved 893 women (Mage = 36.45, SD = 14.48). Participants provided demographic and health data as well as measures of psychological distress, emotion regulation processes, and ability to tolerate uncertainty. RESULTS No significant changes were found in women's psychological distress between T1 and T2, i.e., during and after the first lockdown. Lower social stability status and higher maladaptive emotional coping predicted high psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS Results showed that modifiable psychological variables play a central role in predicting distress and indicated that emotion regulation interventions might be helpful in increasing psychological resilience and mitigating the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic within the female population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Di Blasi
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.G.); (G.L.C.); (B.C.); (A.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Gaia Albano
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.G.); (G.L.C.); (B.C.); (A.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Giulia Bassi
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, 35132 Padova, Italy; (G.B.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
- Digital Health Lab, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Elisa Mancinelli
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, 35132 Padova, Italy; (G.B.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
- Digital Health Lab, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Cecilia Giordano
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.G.); (G.L.C.); (B.C.); (A.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Claudia Mazzeschi
- Department of Philosophy, Social & Human Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (C.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Chiara Pazzagli
- Department of Philosophy, Social & Human Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (C.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Silvia Salcuni
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, 35132 Padova, Italy; (G.B.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Gianluca Lo Coco
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.G.); (G.L.C.); (B.C.); (A.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Omar Carlo Gioacchino Gelo
- Department of History, Society and Human Studies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (O.C.G.G.); (G.L.)
- Faculty of Psychotherapy Science, Sigmund Freud University Vienna, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gloria Lagetto
- Department of History, Society and Human Studies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (O.C.G.G.); (G.L.)
| | - Maria Francesca Freda
- Department of Humanities, University of Napoli Federico II, 80133 Napoli, Italy; (M.F.F.); (G.E.)
| | - Giovanna Esposito
- Department of Humanities, University of Napoli Federico II, 80133 Napoli, Italy; (M.F.F.); (G.E.)
| | - Barbara Caci
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.G.); (G.L.C.); (B.C.); (A.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Aluette Merenda
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.G.); (G.L.C.); (B.C.); (A.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Laura Salerno
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.G.); (G.L.C.); (B.C.); (A.M.); (L.S.)
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