Older Adolescents Who Did or Did Not Experience COVID-19 Symptoms: Associations with Mental Health, Risk Perception and Social Connection

Jessica Burrai, Benedetta Barchielli, Clarissa Cricenti, Anna Borrelli, Sabina D’Amato, Massimo Santoro, Margherita Vitale, Stefano Ferracuti, Anna Maria Giannini and Alessandro Quaglieri
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Jessica Burrai: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
Benedetta Barchielli: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
Clarissa Cricenti: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
Anna Borrelli: Direzione Sanitaria-Servizio di Psicologia Clinica Ospedaliera A. O. U. San Giovanni e Ruggi d’Aragona, Largo Città d’ippocrate, 84131 Salerno, Italy
Sabina D’Amato: Direzione Sanitaria-Servizio di Psicologia Clinica Ospedaliera A. O. U. San Giovanni e Ruggi d’Aragona, Largo Città d’ippocrate, 84131 Salerno, Italy
Massimo Santoro: Direzione Sanitaria-Servizio di Psicologia Clinica Ospedaliera A. O. U. San Giovanni e Ruggi d’Aragona, Largo Città d’ippocrate, 84131 Salerno, Italy
Margherita Vitale: Direzione Sanitaria-Servizio di Psicologia Clinica Ospedaliera A. O. U. San Giovanni e Ruggi d’Aragona, Largo Città d’ippocrate, 84131 Salerno, Italy
Stefano Ferracuti: Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy
Anna Maria Giannini: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
Alessandro Quaglieri: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: After a decrease in detected cases in the summer, Europe faced the emergence of a second wave of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Few studies have investigated adolescents, who may constitute a target group with possible lower compliance to public health measures, particularly the social distancing measures. A total sample of 492 participants was included in the study, and the ages of the participants ranged from 18–24 years. According to the hypothesis of our study, the sample was divided into two groups: those who experienced COVID-19 symptoms and those who did not experience COVID-19 symptoms. Demographic characteristics, knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors related to COVID-19 were investigated with ad hoc items; in addition, mood disorders, self-efficacy, and social connectedness were explored. Our results showed significant differences in the variables of risk perception, self-efficacy, and measures of belongingness among older adolescents who did or did not experience COVID-19 symptoms. In this period, adolescents experienced unprecedented disruptions in their daily lives, leading them to isolation and loneliness. Compliance with restrictive measures is considered both a proactive behavior and a social responsibility, especially if supported by prosocial reasons to prevent others from getting sick; therefore, this must be the focus of raising awareness of anti-COVID-19 compliance among adolescents.

Keywords: self-efficacy; risk-taking; social connectedness; young adult; depression; anxiety; stress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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