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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 4 Years after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents with Different Levels of Physical Activity Engagement: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Giulia Di Martino

    (Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy)

  • Marco Centorbi

    (Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy)

  • Andrea Buonsenso

    (Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy)

  • Giovanni Fiorilli

    (Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy)

  • Carlo della Valle

    (Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
    Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, 37314 Verona, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Calcagno

    (Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy)

  • Enzo Iuliano

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 73000 Ostrava, Czech Republic
    Faculty of Psychology, eCampus University, 22060 Novedrate, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Alessandra di Cagno

    (Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
    Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, 00193 Rome, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess whether the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents had decreased four years after the initial assessment. This study aimed to determine if children with an active lifestyle and participation in sports activities were protected against this traumatic stress. This study included a total of 284 Italian participants assessed at two different time points: the first assessment was conducted in 2020 when the children were aged 9–12 years, and a second assessment was carried out four years later when the participants were aged 13–16. Participants completed the Impact of Event Scale–Revised questionnaire (IES-R), with the IES-8 and IES-15 versions used accordingly based on age group. In the 2020 assessment, 146 (51.4%) reported a score higher than the cut-off for significant traumatic stress, while in 2024, only 49 participants (17.2%). The chi-square analysis indicated that this decrement was statistically significant ( p < 0.001). RM-ANOVA showed a significant reduction for both Intrusion Score and Avoidance Score ( p < 0.001). A statistical interaction between gender and time was observed. There were weak correlations between the level of children’s sport practice, and no differences between those who engage in individual or team sports. Despite this study showing that young people are overcoming the pandemic crisis and its consequences, identifying potential modifiable risk factors and empowering protective factors remains crucial, especially for those who continue to experience psychological issues. The restrictions particularly impacted active children by disrupting their routine, which may have compromised the universally recognized protective value of sports.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulia Di Martino & Marco Centorbi & Andrea Buonsenso & Giovanni Fiorilli & Carlo della Valle & Giuseppe Calcagno & Enzo Iuliano & Alessandra di Cagno, 2024. "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 4 Years after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents with Different Levels of Physical Activity Engagement: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(8), pages 1-9, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:8:p:975-:d:1443231
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jia Yang & Xiang Li & Taiyu He & Fangyuan Ju & Ye Qiu & Zuguo Tian, 2022. "Impact of Physical Activity on COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-12, October.
    2. Giovanni Fiorilli & Andrea Buonsenso & Nicola Davola & Giulia Di Martino & Francesca Baralla & Stefanos Boutious & Marco Centorbi & Giuseppe Calcagno & Alessandra di Cagno, 2021. "Stress Impact of COVID-19 Sports Restrictions on Disabled Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-11, November.
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