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Age-Related Differences in Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Angelo Rega

    (Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy
    Neapolisanit s.r.l. Rehabilitation Center, 80044 Ottaviano, Italy)

  • Raffaele Nappo

    (Neapolisanit s.r.l. Rehabilitation Center, 80044 Ottaviano, Italy)

  • Roberta Simeoli

    (Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy
    Neapolisanit s.r.l. Rehabilitation Center, 80044 Ottaviano, Italy)

  • Mariangela Cerasuolo

    (Associazione Italiana Per L’Assistenza Spastici Onlus Sez Di Cicciano, 80033 Cicciano, Italy
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 70103 Ostrava, Czech Republic
    Department of Psychology, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy)

Abstract

While the negative impact of COVID-19 total lockdown on mental health in youth has been extensively studied, findings collected during subsequent waves of the pandemic, in which restrictive rules were more eased, are very sparse. Here, we explore perceived psychological distress during the partial lockdown of the third wave in Southern Italy in a large sample of students, focusing on age and gender differences. Also, we assessed whether attending the type of education could have a protective role on students’ psychological well-being. An online survey was completed by 1064 southern Italian students (age range: 8–19 years; males = 368) from March to July 2021. The survey consists of a set of questions regarding general sociodemographic information as well as several aspects of students’ psychological well-being. Psychological distress was higher in high school students compared to both elementary and middle ones. In addition, we found gender differences, but only in high school students, with females reporting higher psychological distress than males. Finally, our mediation analysis showed a mediated role of face-to-face schooling in the relationship between age and psychological distress. In conclusion, this study highlights age-related differences in psychological distress during the pandemic and the protective role of school in presence for mental health in Italian students.

Suggested Citation

  • Angelo Rega & Raffaele Nappo & Roberta Simeoli & Mariangela Cerasuolo, 2022. "Age-Related Differences in Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5532-:d:807605
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Grazia Maggio & Maria Chiara Stagnitti & Patrizia Calatozzo & Antonino Cannavò & Daniele Bruschetta & Marilena Foti Cuzzola & Alfredo Manuli & Giovanni Pioggia & Rocco Salvatore Calabrò, 2021. "What about the Consequences of the Use of Distance Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Survey on the Psychological Effects in Both Children and Parents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-8, November.
    2. Maria Rosaria Gualano & Giuseppina Lo Moro & Gianluca Voglino & Fabrizio Bert & Roberta Siliquini, 2020. "Effects of Covid-19 Lockdown on Mental Health and Sleep Disturbances in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-13, July.
    3. Jan Chodkiewicz & Joanna Miniszewska & Emilia Krajewska & Przemysław Biliński, 2021. "Mental Health during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic—Polish Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-12, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aurora Bonvino & Antonella Calvio & Roberta Stallone & Chiara Valeria Marinelli & Tiziana Quarto & Annamaria Petito & Paola Palladino & Lucia Monacis, 2023. "Emotions in Times of Pandemic Crisis among Italian Children: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-34, June.
    2. Helena Jeriček Klanšček & Lucija Furman, 2023. "Socioeconomic Deprivation and Inequalities in Mental Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-15, June.

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