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Cognitive and Relational Processes Associated to Mental Health in Italian High School Students during COVID-19 and Russian–Ukrainian War Outbreaks

Author

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  • Attà Negri

    (Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy)

  • Arianna Barazzetti

    (Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy)

  • Alice Rinzivillo

    (Independent Researcher, 65121 Pescara, Italy)

  • Rachele Mariani

    (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Cinzia Di Monte

    (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health has been widely demonstrated; however, few studies have investigated the psychological processes involved in this impact, including core beliefs violation, meaning-making disruption, interpersonal support, or one’s relational functioning. This study explored the mental health of 215 Italian adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent outbreak of the Russian–Ukrainian war. By administering a set of questionnaires, several cognitive and emotional variables were investigated, including core belief violation, meaning attribution to the pandemic and war, attachment, and emotion regulation, social media addiction, and relationships with significant others and teachers. We conducted some descriptive, mean difference, correlational, and predictive analyses that revealed a significant association between core belief violation caused by war and pandemic, ability to integrate war and pandemic within personal meaning universe, the relational support received, and mental health. The relationship with teachers during these challenging periods improved significantly according to the respondents’ opinion, becoming both more authoritative and empathic. This study offers insights into what cognitive and relational processes are useful to intervene on to reduce the distress of adolescents who are facing significant moments of crisis due to events that challenge their cognitive and emotional balance.

Suggested Citation

  • Attà Negri & Arianna Barazzetti & Alice Rinzivillo & Rachele Mariani & Cinzia Di Monte, 2024. "Cognitive and Relational Processes Associated to Mental Health in Italian High School Students during COVID-19 and Russian–Ukrainian War Outbreaks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:4:p:508-:d:1379238
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chenyang Lin & Yuxin Tong & Yaying Bai & Zixi Zhao & Wenxiang Quan & Zhaorui Liu & Jiuju Wang & Yanping Song & Ju Tian & Wentian Dong, 2022. "Prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety among Chinese international students in US colleges during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(4), pages 1-13, April.
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    3. Marco Castiglioni & Cristina Liviana Caldiroli & Attà Negri & Gian Mauro Manzoni & Rossella Procaccia, 2023. "Linguistic Predictors of Psychological Adjustment in Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Marco Castiglioni & Cristina Liviana Caldiroli & Rossella Procaccia & Federica Conte & Robert A. Neimeyer & Claudia Zamin & Anna Paladino & Attà Negri, 2023. "The Up-Side of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Are Core Belief Violation and Meaning Making Associated with Post-Traumatic Growth?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-16, May.
    5. Clarissa Cricenti & Emanuela Mari & Benedetta Barchielli & Alessandro Quaglieri & Jessica Burrai & Alessandra Pizzo & Ivan D’Alessio & Anna Maria Giannini & Stefano Ferracuti & Giulia Lausi, 2022. "Can Emotion Regulation Affect Aggressive Responses? A Study on the Ukrainian–Russian Conflict in a Non-Directly Exposed Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-14, May.
    6. Benedetta Barchielli & Clarissa Cricenti & Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Fabrizio Liguori & Giovanna Da Molin & Giorgio Liguori & Giovanni Battista Orsi & Anna Maria Giannini & Stefano Ferrac, 2022. "Climate Changes, Natural Resources Depletion, COVID-19 Pandemic, and Russian-Ukrainian War: What Is the Impact on Habits Change and Mental Health?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-18, September.
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