A 2-Month Follow-Up Study of Psychological Distress among Italian People during the COVID-19 Lockdown

Paolo Roma, Merylin Monaro, Marco Colasanti, Eleonora Ricci, Silvia Biondi, Alberto Di Domenico, Maria Cristina Verrocchio, Christian Napoli, Stefano Ferracuti and Cristina Mazza
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Paolo Roma: Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Merylin Monaro: Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
Marco Colasanti: Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Eleonora Ricci: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Silvia Biondi: Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Alberto Di Domenico: Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Maria Cristina Verrocchio: Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Christian Napoli: Department of Medical Surgical Science and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Stefano Ferracuti: Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Cristina Mazza: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-12

Abstract: The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has called for unprecedented measures, including a national lockdown in Italy. The present study aimed at identifying psychological changes (e.g., changes in depression, stress, and anxiety levels) among the Italian public during the lockdown period, in addition to factors associated with these changes. An online follow-up survey was administered to 439 participants (original sample = 2766), between 28 April and 3 May 2020. A paired sample t-test tested for differences in stress, anxiety, and depression over the period. Multivariate regression models examined associations between sociodemographic variables, personality traits, coping strategies, depression, and stress. Results showed an increase in stress and depression over the lockdown, but not anxiety. Negative affect and detachment were associated with higher levels of depression and stress. Higher levels of depression at the start of the lockdown, as well as fewer coping strategies and childlessness, were associated with increased depression at follow-up, whereas higher levels of stress at the start of the lockdown and younger age were associated with higher stress at follow-up. These results may help us to identify persons at greater risk of suffering from psychological distress as a result lockdown conditions, and inform psychological interventions targeting post-traumatic symptoms.

Keywords: COVID-19; lockdown; follow-up; Italian citizens; depression; anxiety; stress; mental health intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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