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Resilience and Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Italian University Students: A Mixed-Method Study

Author

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  • Firas Mourad

    (Department of Physiotherapy, Exercise and Sports, LUNEX International University of Health, 4671 Differdange, Luxembourg
    Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute A.s.b.l., 50, Avenue du Parc des Sports, 4671 Differdange, Luxembourg)

  • Sonia Mangialavori

    (Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Antonella Delle Fave

    (Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

A vast amount of literature has highlighted that restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as lockdowns and the resulting interruption of face-to-face academic activities, strongly disrupted students’ daily routine and undermined their well-being. Through a mixed method approach, this study was aimed at investigating the association between students’ experience of the health emergency and their resilience levels during the first pandemic outbreak. Between April and May 2020, 421 Italian university students attending Health Sciences, Humanities, and Political Sciences courses completed the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), provided narratives about the emergency by answering an open-ended question, and filled out a demographic questionnaire. Results showed that narratives about community/society issues were by far the most recurrent ones across disciplinary areas, while a significantly higher percentage of students from Humanities focused on study/university. Health Sciences students were more likely to provide narratives concerning social commitment, and they reported significantly higher resilience levels than Humanities students. A higher percentage of students with moderate resilience focused their narratives on the study/university domain, compared to students with high resilience. Findings suggest the importance of supporting students’ resilience to counterbalance their academic concerns in both times of crisis and ordinary times.

Suggested Citation

  • Firas Mourad & Sonia Mangialavori & Antonella Delle Fave, 2022. "Resilience and Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Italian University Students: A Mixed-Method Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11714-:d:917213
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elena Korneeva & Wadim Strielkowski & Raisa Krayneva & Anna Sherstobitova, 2022. "Social Health and Psychological Safety of Students Involved in Online Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-15, October.

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