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Older Adolescents Who Did or Did Not Experience COVID-19 Symptoms: Associations with Mental Health, Risk Perception and Social Connection

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  • Jessica Burrai

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Benedetta Barchielli

    (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Clarissa Cricenti

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Anna Borrelli

    (Direzione Sanitaria-Servizio di Psicologia Clinica Ospedaliera A. O. U. San Giovanni e Ruggi d’Aragona, Largo Città d’ippocrate, 84131 Salerno, Italy)

  • Sabina D’Amato

    (Direzione Sanitaria-Servizio di Psicologia Clinica Ospedaliera A. O. U. San Giovanni e Ruggi d’Aragona, Largo Città d’ippocrate, 84131 Salerno, Italy)

  • Massimo Santoro

    (Direzione Sanitaria-Servizio di Psicologia Clinica Ospedaliera A. O. U. San Giovanni e Ruggi d’Aragona, Largo Città d’ippocrate, 84131 Salerno, Italy)

  • Margherita Vitale

    (Direzione Sanitaria-Servizio di Psicologia Clinica Ospedaliera A. O. U. San Giovanni e Ruggi d’Aragona, Largo Città d’ippocrate, 84131 Salerno, Italy)

  • Stefano Ferracuti

    (Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Anna Maria Giannini

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Alessandro Quaglieri

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

After a decrease in detected cases in the summer, Europe faced the emergence of a second wave of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Few studies have investigated adolescents, who may constitute a target group with possible lower compliance to public health measures, particularly the social distancing measures. A total sample of 492 participants was included in the study, and the ages of the participants ranged from 18–24 years. According to the hypothesis of our study, the sample was divided into two groups: those who experienced COVID-19 symptoms and those who did not experience COVID-19 symptoms. Demographic characteristics, knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors related to COVID-19 were investigated with ad hoc items; in addition, mood disorders, self-efficacy, and social connectedness were explored. Our results showed significant differences in the variables of risk perception, self-efficacy, and measures of belongingness among older adolescents who did or did not experience COVID-19 symptoms. In this period, adolescents experienced unprecedented disruptions in their daily lives, leading them to isolation and loneliness. Compliance with restrictive measures is considered both a proactive behavior and a social responsibility, especially if supported by prosocial reasons to prevent others from getting sick; therefore, this must be the focus of raising awareness of anti-COVID-19 compliance among adolescents.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica Burrai & Benedetta Barchielli & Clarissa Cricenti & Anna Borrelli & Sabina D’Amato & Massimo Santoro & Margherita Vitale & Stefano Ferracuti & Anna Maria Giannini & Alessandro Quaglieri, 2021. "Older Adolescents Who Did or Did Not Experience COVID-19 Symptoms: Associations with Mental Health, Risk Perception and Social Connection," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:5006-:d:550953
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jessica Burrai & Alessandro Quaglieri & Umberto Aitella & Clarissa Cricenti & Ivan D’Alessio & Alessandra Pizzo & Giulia Lausi & Anna Maria Giannini & Emanuela Mari, 2022. "The Fear of COVID-19: Gender Differences among Italian Health Volunteers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Giulio de Felice & Jessica Burrai & Emanuela Mari & Fabrizio Paloni & Giulia Lausi & Anna Maria Giannini & Alessandro Quaglieri, 2022. "How Do Adolescents Use Social Networks and What Are Their Potential Dangers? A Qualitative Study of Gender Differences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, May.
    3. Nicola Di Fazio & Donato Morena & Giuseppe Delogu & Gianpietro Volonnino & Federico Manetti & Martina Padovano & Matteo Scopetti & Paola Frati & Vittorio Fineschi, 2022. "Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 Pandemic Period in the European Population: An Institutional Challenge," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-20, July.

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