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

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.

Factors Associated with Symptoms of Depression and Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of cases of COVID-19, and positivity within personal networks all have broad deleterious effects on psychological well-being, while higher levels of education may be protective of psychological well-being. Similar findings have been found in other studies conducted in Italy [16,39]. On the contrary, living in a non-urban area was not associated with increases in symptoms of depression in a study conducted in Turkey [19].…”

“…A recent metaanalysis of 19 studies conducted in China estimated that the prevalence of stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic was 48%, and prevalence estimates of depression and anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic were 27% and 22%, respectively [15]. Furthermore, increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic have been observed in several other countries (e.g., Italy, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia) [16][17][18][19].…”

Weight Gain in a Sample of Patients Affected by Overweight/Obesity with and without a Psychiatric Diagnosis during the Covid-19 Lockdown

“…For patients affected by overweight/obesity without a psychiatric diagnosis, psychological stress was the best predictor of weight gain during the COVID-19 lockdown. Specifically, a rise in stress during the lockdown—which has also been found in the general Italian population [ 6 , 7 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]—may have triggered an increase in night eating episodes. Surprisingly, approximately 60% of the overweight and obese patients with no prior diagnosis of night eating syndrome [ 39 ] reported much more frequent night eating episodes during the lockdown.…”

“…Such surveys have shown that the strict lockdown measures have a severe negative psychological impact on patients with psychiatric disorders [ 4 ]. Moreover, fear of the disease, the general lockdown situation, high levels of uncertainty regarding the future, and financial insecurity have increased stress, anxiety, and depression, even in the nonpsychiatric population [ 1 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. In addition to these global surveys, studies have also examined the effect of the lockdown on several specific subgroups (e.g., patients with psychiatric disorders), in order to better understand the full impact of the pandemic.…”

Promoting the Resilience of the Italian Population Against SARS-CoV-2

“…Predictive analyses show that the mental health of a large proportion of the population is at high risk for stress, anxiety, and depression in these countries (59, 67, and 57%, respectively; see Table 3 ) due to socioeconomic vulnerabilities and worsened conditions since the pandemic onset ( 12 ). An Italian study conducted between the end of April and the beginning of May 2020, which followed other research carried out in the first phase of the lockdown, documents the persistence of high levels of stress and depression, particularly in people with preexisting stressful conditions, especially young people and people with poor ability to cope with difficulties and with tendencies toward isolation and lack of motivation ( 13 ). A Chinese study, conducted after a month of lockdown, reported an increase in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder with a prevalence in women ( 14 ).…”