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Mediator Effect of Affinity for E-Learning on Mental Health: Buffering Strategy for the Resilience of University Students

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  • Dina Di Giacomo

    (Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
    Postgraduate School on Clinical Psychology, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

  • Alessandra Martelli

    (Faculty of Biosciences and Agri-Food and Environmental Technologies, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy)

  • Federica Guerra

    (Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

  • Federica Cielo

    (Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
    Postgraduate School on Clinical Psychology, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

  • Jessica Ranieri

    (Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

Abstract

The pandemic affected the quality of life and wellness of the population, changing living habits through restriction measures. This study aimed to analyze the psychological impact of the fear of the COVID-19 pandemic and the adoption of e-learning for university students. The study was articulated in two research applications: the first application was a rapid review on the psychological effects of the pandemic on the emotional dimension of undergraduate students; the second application was an observational study on the effect of e-learning adoption in the pandemic emergency. In the first step, we performed a systematic search of MEDLINE through PubMed and the Web of Science [Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED); Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI); Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)] of all scientific literature published from May 2020 to February 2021. The reviewed articles suggest the impact of the pandemic and lockdown measures on university students due to several mental symptoms, including anxiety, stress, depression, event-specific distress, and a decrease in psychological well-being. Psychological symptoms were related to the experience of several stressors, such as the risk for a reduction of academic perspectives, massive e-learning adoption, economic issues, social restrictions, and implications for daily life related to the COVID-19 outbreak. The second scientific application was conducted to evaluate the affinity for e-learning on a sample composed of Italian undergraduates exposed to massive e-learning adoption. The results evidence the positive influence of e-learning in academic programs for the wellbeing of undergraduates. The mediator effect of the affinity of youth for e-learning can be considered to have had a buffering effect for professional advancement and for the mental health of university students in a public health emergency.

Suggested Citation

  • Dina Di Giacomo & Alessandra Martelli & Federica Guerra & Federica Cielo & Jessica Ranieri, 2021. "Mediator Effect of Affinity for E-Learning on Mental Health: Buffering Strategy for the Resilience of University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:7098-:d:587600
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Clelia Zurlo & Federica Vallone & Maria Francesca Cattaneo Della Volta, 2022. "Perceived Past and Current COVID-19-Stressors, Coping Strategies and Psychological Health among University Students: A Mediated-Moderated Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Głodowska Agnieszka & Wach Krzysztof & Knežević Blaženka, 2022. "Pros and Cons of e-Learning in Economics and Business in Central and Eastern Europe: Cross-country Empirical Investigation," Business Systems Research, Sciendo, vol. 13(2), pages 28-44, December.

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