Simone Pisano1,2, Gennaro Catone3, Antonella Gritti3, Luisa Almerico4, Anna Pezzella4, Pia Santangelo5, Carmela Bravaccio6, Raffaella Iuliano7, Vincenzo Paolo Senese4. 1. Department of Neuroscience, Santobono-Pausilipon Children Hospital, via Mario Fiore 6, 80129, Naples, Italy. pisano.simone@gmail.com. 2. Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy. pisano.simone@gmail.com. 3. Department of Educational, Psychological and Communication Sciences, Suor Orsola Benincasa University, Naples, Italy. 4. Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy. 5. Department of Neuroscience, Santobono-Pausilipon Children Hospital, via Mario Fiore 6, 80129, Naples, Italy. 6. Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy. 7. Neonatology Unit, "Ospedale del Mare", Naples, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that during COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, emotional symptoms increased in the general population. Less is known about youths. METHODS: We surveyed a sample of Italian adolescents during the strictest quarantine period and assessed the effects of socio-demographic and psychological factors on current emotional symptoms. A convenient sample of 326 adolescents (age range 14-19 years) participated in a web-based survey. We collected data on several socio-demographic and psychological variables (summarized into three indexes: environmental context, changes in lifestyle, and worries about infection) and psychopathological symptoms (previous psychopathological status, current anxiety and depressive symptoms). RESULTS: Descriptive analysis showed that adolescents have experienced quarantine under very different conditions; they reported 47.5 and 14.1% of anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. Regression analyses indicated that previous psychopathological status and worries about infection are linked to anxiety and that female gender, previous psychopathological status (moderated by change in lifestyle), worse environmental context are linked to depression. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that, facing the COVID-19 pandemic and its related safety measures, adolescents show relevant emotional symptoms and therefore should be monitored, assessed and supported.
BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that during COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, emotional symptoms increased in the general population. Less is known about youths. METHODS: We surveyed a sample of Italian adolescents during the strictest quarantine period and assessed the effects of socio-demographic and psychological factors on current emotional symptoms. A convenient sample of 326 adolescents (age range 14-19 years) participated in a web-based survey. We collected data on several socio-demographic and psychological variables (summarized into three indexes: environmental context, changes in lifestyle, and worries about infection) and psychopathological symptoms (previous psychopathological status, current anxiety and depressive symptoms). RESULTS: Descriptive analysis showed that adolescents have experienced quarantine under very different conditions; they reported 47.5 and 14.1% of anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. Regression analyses indicated that previous psychopathological status and worries about infection are linked to anxiety and that female gender, previous psychopathological status (moderated by change in lifestyle), worse environmental context are linked to depression. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that, facing the COVID-19 pandemic and its related safety measures, adolescents show relevant emotional symptoms and therefore should be monitored, assessed and supported.
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