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Psychological Distress among Italian University Students Compared to General Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Annunziata Romeo

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy)

  • Agata Benfante

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy)

  • Lorys Castelli

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy)

  • Marialaura Di Tella

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic induced numerous changes in the daily life of every individual, with important social, economic, and psychological consequences. Particularly, the psychological impact encountered among students might be affected by social isolation, concern for personal health and for the health of family members and friends, and uncertainty about academic progress. The present study aimed to investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Italian university students compared to general workers. The responses of 956 participants (478 university students and 478 workers) were included in the final dataset. Participants were asked to provide sociodemographic and occupation-related information, and to complete: (1) COVID-19-related questions; (2) health-related visual analogue scales; (3) State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form Y1 (STAI Y1); and (4) the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Results of comparisons between university students and general workers revealed that the former reported higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, regression analyses showed that in university students, gender, health evaluation, and health concern and gender, educational level, and health evaluation significantly predicted anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. Taken together these findings suggest that specific factors could predispose University students to a high risk of developing mental health symptoms as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Annunziata Romeo & Agata Benfante & Lorys Castelli & Marialaura Di Tella, 2021. "Psychological Distress among Italian University Students Compared to General Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-8, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2503-:d:509738
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chiara Baiano & Isa Zappullo & the LabNPEE Group & Massimiliano Conson, 2020. "Tendency to Worry and Fear of Mental Health during Italy’s COVID-19 Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-8, August.
    2. Cuiyan Wang & Riyu Pan & Xiaoyang Wan & Yilin Tan & Linkang Xu & Cyrus S. Ho & Roger C. Ho, 2020. "Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-25, March.
    3. Hong Yan Li & Hui Cao & Doris Y. P. Leung & Yim Wah Mak, 2020. "The Psychological Impacts of a COVID-19 Outbreak on College Students in China: A Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-11, June.
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    2. 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.
    3. Dorota Ortenburger & Dariusz Mosler & Iuliia Pavlova & Jacek Wąsik, 2021. "Social Support and Dietary Habits as Anxiety Level Predictors of Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-14, August.
    4. Ngqabutho Moyo & Anita D. Bhappu & Moment Bhebhe & Farai Ncube, 2022. "Perceived Risk of COVID-19 and Employee Decision-Making: How Psychological Distress during the Pandemic Increases Negative Performance Outcomes among Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-16, June.
    5. Giovanni Busetta & Maria Gabriella Campolo & Demetrio Panarello, 2023. "Economic expectations and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: a one-year longitudinal evaluation on Italian university students," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(1), pages 59-76, February.

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