Psychopathological consequences and dysfunctional behaviours during the COVID-19 epidemic in italy: A longitudinal study before and after the lockdown. (13th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cassioli, E.; Rossi, E.; Castellini, G.; Sanfilippo, G.; Silvestri, C.; Voller, F.; Ricca, V.
• Is Part Of: European psychiatry. Volume 64:Supplement 1(2021)
• Page Start: S96
• Page End: S97
• Publication Date: 2021-04-13
• Subjects: post-traumatic stress disorder -- quarantine -- COVID-19 -- Depression; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.282
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0924-9338

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: In the first months of 2020 the COVID-19 epidemic spread in Italy, and the Italian government implemented a general lockdown. These events are at high risk for psychiatric symptoms in the general population, including anxiety/depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Objectives: To characterize the psychopathological correlates of the spread of COVID-19 and lockdown in a sample of subjects from the Italian population, with a before-after follow-up. Methods: Six weeks after the lockdown, 671 subjects aged 18-60 years completed the Brief Symptom Inventory and Impact of Event Scale-Revised, for the evaluation of psychopathology and PTSS respectively. Environmental factors and subjectively-perceived deteriorations related to COVID-19 were also investigated. Pre-COVID-19 data on psychopathology, collected in December 2019/January 2020, were available for 130 subjects and were used for longitudinal analyses. Results: With respect to males, female subjects more frequently reported deteriorations of relations (21.5% vs 10.9%), household arguments (26.0% vs 12.6%), sleep quality (47.6% vs 26.6%), episodes of overeating (22.5% vs 12.5%), worries for oneself (19% vs 8.9%) and for loved ones (55.7% vs 36.5%). These changes were associated with increased psychopathology, PTSS, and numerous environmental conditions, including significant economic damage from COVID-19/lockdown. Longitudinal analyses showed an increase in phobic anxiety in the whole sample, and in depression for female subjects only, following the spread of COVID-19. Pre-existing psychopathology was a significant predictor of PTSS. Conclusions: COVID-19 epidemic and lockdown have a high impact on psychopathology and PTSS. Female subjects and those with pre-existing psychopathology were found to be more vulnerable and may need additional support. Disclosure: No significant relationships.