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From the First to the Second Wave of COVID-19: Anxiety, De-Pressive, and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in the Italian Population

Author

Listed:
  • Agata Benfante

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy)

  • Valentina Tesio

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy)

  • Marialaura Di Tella

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy)

  • Annunziata Romeo

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy)

  • Lorys Castelli

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy)

Abstract

In the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, high rates of clinically relevant anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) have been reported in the Italian population. The persistence of the pandemic and related restrictive measures highlight the need for a reassessment of psychopathological symptoms. The present longitudinal study consisted of two evaluations conducted during the two waves of infection. Participants were asked to complete the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form Y1 (STAI Y1), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). There were no significant differences in depressive symptoms and PTSS scores reported by participants between T0 and T1, with single-case analysis revealing that in 71% and 69% of the participants, depressive symptoms and PTSS symptoms, respectively, remained stable during this period. On the contrary, mean scores comparison showed a significant decrease in anxiety levels, with 19% of participants in whom anxiety symptoms improved at single-case analysis. Taken together, these results suggest that depressive symptoms and PTSS not only occurred in a high percentage of participants but also tended to remain stable over time, thus warranting the importance of large-scale psychological screening and interventions to prevent the chronicization of these symptoms and their evolution to psychopathological disorders.

Suggested Citation

  • Agata Benfante & Valentina Tesio & Marialaura Di Tella & Annunziata Romeo & Lorys Castelli, 2022. "From the First to the Second Wave of COVID-19: Anxiety, De-Pressive, and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in the Italian Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-6, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1239-:d:731064
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cristina Mazza & Eleonora Ricci & Silvia Biondi & Marco Colasanti & Stefano Ferracuti & Christian Napoli & Paolo Roma, 2020. "A Nationwide Survey of Psychological Distress among Italian People during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-14, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Paola Manfredi, 2022. "Is This All COVID-19′s Fault? A Study on Trainees in One of the Most Affected Italian Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Andrea Conti & Sophia Russotto & Annalisa Opizzi & Matteo Ratti & Daniele Nicolini & Kris Vanhaecht & Massimiliano Panella, 2022. "Work-Related Stress among a Cohort of Italian Long-Term Care Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-10, May.

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