Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 4 Years after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents with Different Levels of Physical Activity Engagement: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Giulia Di Martino, Marco Centorbi, Andrea Buonsenso, Giovanni Fiorilli, Carlo della Valle (), Giuseppe Calcagno, Enzo Iuliano and Alessandra di Cagno
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Giulia Di Martino: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Marco Centorbi: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Andrea Buonsenso: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Giovanni Fiorilli: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Carlo della Valle: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Giuseppe Calcagno: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Enzo Iuliano: Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 73000 Ostrava, Czech Republic
Alessandra di Cagno: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 8, 1-9

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess whether the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents had decreased four years after the initial assessment. This study aimed to determine if children with an active lifestyle and participation in sports activities were protected against this traumatic stress. This study included a total of 284 Italian participants assessed at two different time points: the first assessment was conducted in 2020 when the children were aged 9–12 years, and a second assessment was carried out four years later when the participants were aged 13–16. Participants completed the Impact of Event Scale–Revised questionnaire (IES-R), with the IES-8 and IES-15 versions used accordingly based on age group. In the 2020 assessment, 146 (51.4%) reported a score higher than the cut-off for significant traumatic stress, while in 2024, only 49 participants (17.2%). The chi-square analysis indicated that this decrement was statistically significant ( p < 0.001). RM-ANOVA showed a significant reduction for both Intrusion Score and Avoidance Score ( p < 0.001). A statistical interaction between gender and time was observed. There were weak correlations between the level of children’s sport practice, and no differences between those who engage in individual or team sports. Despite this study showing that young people are overcoming the pandemic crisis and its consequences, identifying potential modifiable risk factors and empowering protective factors remains crucial, especially for those who continue to experience psychological issues. The restrictions particularly impacted active children by disrupting their routine, which may have compromised the universally recognized protective value of sports.

Keywords: avoidance; intrusion; psychological distress; psychological issues; COVID-19 restrictions; sport; IES-R questionnaire; adaptation process (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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