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COVID-19-Related Stressors and Psychophysical Health Conditions Among Italian University Students: A Post Pandemic Insight (preprint)
preprints.org; 2024.
Preprint
in English
| PREPRINT-PREPRINTS.ORG | ID: ppzbmed-10.20944.preprints202402.1498.v1
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19-medical emergency has ended worldwide, yet there is still a need to evaluate the psychological impact of these years of unprecedented changes on students’ life. Methods:
This study aims to assess and compare COVID-19-related stressors (Relationships-and-Academic-Life; Isolation; Fear-of-Contagion) and psychophysical symptoms reported by university students in April-2020, April 2021, and April 2022. The predictive role of COVID-19-related stressors on psychophysical symptoms within each time was also tested. Data were collected among 637 university students in April-2020 (n = 197), April-2021 (n = 200), April-2022 (n = 240).Results:
In April-2022, perceived Isolation and Fear-of-Contagion decreased from the peak registered in April-2021, but stress related to Relationships-and-Academic-Life remained noteworthy high. A sharp and ongoing increase in psychophysical symptoms was found, with more than 50% of students reporting clinical levels of Sleep-Disorders, Depression, Psychoticism, and Interpersonal-Sensitivity. In April-2022, students still perceiving stress related to Relationships-and-Academic-Life and Isolation were at risk for Anxiety, Somatization, and Sleep-Disorders, while those still perceiving stress related to Fear-of-Contagion were also at risk for Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Psychoticism.Conclusion:
Findings emphasized the long-lasting detrimental effects of the COVID-19-related stress. Interventions must pinpoint the complex post-pandemic adjustment process and their effects on university students' psychophysical health.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Preprints
Database:
PREPRINT-PREPRINTS.ORG
Main subject:
Anxiety Disorders
/
Sleep Wake Disorders
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Depressive Disorder
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COVID-19
/
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Language:
English
Year:
2024
Document Type:
Preprint
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