IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i24p16496-d997650.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Impact of COVID-19-Related Social Isolation on Behavioral Outcomes in Young Adults Residing in Northern Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Alessandra Patrono

    (Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy
    Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA)

  • Azzurra Invernizzi

    (Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA)

  • Donatella Placidi

    (Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy)

  • Giuseppa Cagna

    (Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy)

  • Stefano Calza

    (Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy)

  • Manuela Oppini

    (Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy)

  • Elza Rechtman

    (Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA)

  • Demetrios M. Papazaharias

    (Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA)

  • Abraham Reichenberg

    (Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA)

  • Roberto G. Lucchini

    (Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy
    Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA)

  • Maurizio Memo

    (Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy)

  • Elisa Ongaro

    (Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy)

  • Matteo Rota

    (Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy)

  • Robert O. Wright

    (Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA)

  • Stefano Renzetti

    (Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy)

  • Megan K. Horton

    (Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA)

Abstract

Social isolation affects our emotions, behavior and interactions. Worldwide, individuals experienced prolonged periods of isolation during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic when authorities-imposed restrictions to reduce the spread of the virus. In this study, we investigated the effects of social isolation on emotional and behavioral outcomes in young adults from Lombardy, Italy, a global hotspot of COVID-19. We leveraged baseline (pre-social isolation) and follow-up (mid- or post-isolation) data collected from young adults enrolled in the ongoing, longitudinal Public Health Impact of Metals Exposure (PHIME) study. At baseline, 167 participants completed the ASEBA questionnaires (ASR/YSR) by web link or in person; 65 completed the ASR 12–18 weeks after the onset of restrictions. Using the sign test and multiple linear regression models, we examined differences in ASR scores between baseline and follow-up adjusting for sex, age, pre-pandemic IQ and time with social restrictions (weeks). Further, we examined interactions between sex and time in social isolation. Participants completed the ASR after spending an average of 14 weeks in social isolation (range 12–18 weeks). Thought problems increased between baseline and follow-up (median difference 1.0; 1st, 3rd quartile: −1.0, 4.0; p = 0.049). Among males, a longer time in social isolation (≥14 weeks) was associated with increased rule-breaking behaviors of 2.8 points. These results suggest the social isolation related to COVID-19 adversely impacted mental health. In particular, males seem to externalize their condition. These findings might help future interventions and treatment to minimize the consequences of social isolation experience in young adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandra Patrono & Azzurra Invernizzi & Donatella Placidi & Giuseppa Cagna & Stefano Calza & Manuela Oppini & Elza Rechtman & Demetrios M. Papazaharias & Abraham Reichenberg & Roberto G. Lucchini & , 2022. "Impact of COVID-19-Related Social Isolation on Behavioral Outcomes in Young Adults Residing in Northern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16496-:d:997650
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/24/16496/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/24/16496/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Selçuk Özdin & Şükriye Bayrak Özdin, 2020. "Levels and predictors of anxiety, depression and health anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic in Turkish society: The importance of gender," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(5), pages 504-511, August.
    2. Diego Zavaleta & Kim Samuel & China Mills, 2014. "Social Isolation: A conceptual and Measurement Proposal," OPHI Working Papers 67, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Sana Malik & Ijeoma Opara & David T. Lardier & Jessica Younger & R. Neil Greene, 2023. "Young Adults at the National Epicenter of the COVID-19 Outbreak: Understanding the Impact and Future Challenges of Social Distancing on Mental Health Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-13, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yi Ding & Jie Yang & Tingting Ji & Yongyu Guo, 2021. "Women Suffered More Emotional and Life Distress than Men during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Pathogen Disgust Sensitivity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-9, August.
    2. Vivian Welch & Elizabeth Tanjong Ghogomu & Victoria I. Barbeau & Elisabeth Boulton & Sabrina Boutin & Niobe Haitas & Dylan Kneale & Douglas M. Salzwedel & Roger Simard & Paul Herbert & Christopher Mik, 2022. "PROTOCOL: Digital interventions to reduce social isolation and loneliness in older adults: An evidence and gap map," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(3), September.
    3. Shuangshuang Xin & Xiujie Ma, 2023. "Mechanisms of Physical Exercise Effects on Anxiety in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Lockdown: An Analysis of the Mediating Role of Psychological Resilience and the Moderating Role of Media Exposure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Zhou, Min & Guo, Wei, 2021. "Social factors and worry associated with COVID-19: Evidence from a large survey in China," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    5. Bentham Liang Sen Teh & Jin Kiat Ang & Eugene Boon Yau Koh & Nicholas Tze Ping Pang, 2023. "Psychological Resilience and Coping Strategies with Anxiety among Malaysian Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, January.
    6. Emilijus Žilinskas & Giedrė Žulpaitė & Kristijonas Puteikis & Rima Viliūnienė, 2021. "Mental Health among Higher Education Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey from Lithuania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-14, December.
    7. Agnieszka Lasota, 2023. "Crisis Experience and Purpose in Life in Men and Women: The Mediating Effect of Gratitude and Fear of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-14, August.
    8. Chiara Consiglio & Nicoletta Massa & Valentina Sommovigo & Luigi Fusco, 2023. "Techno-Stress Creators, Burnout and Psychological Health among Remote Workers during the Pandemic: The Moderating Role of E-Work Self-Efficacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(22), pages 1-23, November.
    9. Jo Daniels & Hannah Rettie, 2022. "The Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Second Wave on Shielders and Their Family Members," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-17, June.
    10. Anca Popa & Aurelia-Ioana Chereji & Monica Angelica Dodu & Ioan Chereji & Andreea Fitero & Cristian Marius Daina & Lucia Georgeta Daina & Dana Badau & Daniela Carmen Neculoiu & Carmen Domnariu, 2022. "The Impact of Changes regarding Working Circumstances during COVID-19 Pandemic upon Patients Evaluated for Thyroid Dysfunction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-11, August.
    11. Dana Alonzo & Marciana Popescu, 2022. "A qualitative examination of the mental health impact of Covid-19 in marginalized communities in Guatemala: The Covid Care Calls survey," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(7), pages 1435-1444, November.
    12. Snow Yunni Lin & Jian Han Tan & Brenda Xian Hui Tay & John Paul Chern Shwen Koh & Lei Siew & Marcus Cher Hean Teo & Jeremy Yen Chin Tan & Saima Hilal, 2022. "Exploring the Socio-Demographic and Psychosocial Factors That Enhance Resilience in the COVID-19 Crisis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-11, October.
    13. Abdurrahim Emhan & Safa Elkefi & Onur Asan, 2022. "Predictors of Healthcare Professionals’ Work Difficulty Perception during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Study of Work Environment in a Pandemic Hospital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-10, April.
    14. Royce Anders & Florian Lecuelle & Clément Perrin & Swann Ruyter & Patricia Franco & Stéphanie Huguelet & Benjamin Putois, 2021. "The Interaction between Lockdown-Specific Conditions and Family-Specific Variables Explains the Presence of Child Insomnia during COVID-19: A Key Response to the Current Debate," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-19, November.
    15. Cristina Mazza & Marco Colasanti & Eleonora Ricci & Serena Di Giandomenico & Daniela Marchetti & Lilybeth Fontanesi & Maria Cristina Verrocchio & Stefano Ferracuti & Paolo Roma, 2021. "The COVID-19 Outbreak and Psychological Distress in Healthcare Workers: The Role of Personality Traits, Attachment Styles, and Sociodemographic Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-14, April.
    16. Ivet Bayes-Marin & Maria Roura-Adserias & Iago Giné-Vázquez & Felipe Villalobos & Marta Franch-Roca & Amanda Lloret-Pineda & Aina Gabarrell-Pascuet & Yuelu He & Rachid El Hafi & Fajar Matloob Ahmed Bu, 2022. "Factors Associated with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among Migrant Population in Spain during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-14, November.
    17. Marilena Mousoulidou & Michailina Siakalli & Andri Christodoulou & Marios Argyrides, 2021. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health: Evidence from Cyprus," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-13, April.
    18. Anna Maria Cybulska & Katarzyna Głębicka & Marzanna Stanisławska & Aneta Cymbaluk-Płoska & Elżbieta Grochans & Kamila Rachubińska, 2023. "The Relationship between Social Support and Mental Health Problems of Peri- and Postmenopausal Women during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.
    19. Ahmed Yassin & Abdel-Hameed Al-Mistarehi & Khalid El-Salem & Reema A. Karasneh & Sayer Al-Azzam & Aref A. Qarqash & Aws G. Khasawneh & Anas M. Zein Alaabdin & Ola Soudah, 2022. "Prevalence Estimates and Risk Factors of Anxiety among Healthcare Workers in Jordan over One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-20, February.
    20. Jhonatan Clausen & Silvana Vargas & Nicolás Barrantes, 2018. "Do official multidimensional poverty measures in Latin America reflect the priorities of people living in poverty?," Ensayos de Política Económica, Departamento de Investigación Francisco Valsecchi, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina., vol. 2(6), pages 15-34, Octubre.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16496-:d:997650. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.