Determinants of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders in Italian university students during the Covid-19 outbreak: the leading role of sex, health concerns, and health engagement

F. Dellafiore, R. Caruso, T. Nania, F. Pittella, Serena Barello

Risultato della ricerca: Contributo in rivistaArticolo in rivistapeer review

Abstract

Background: The unprecedented changes in daily-life caused by Covid-19 restrictions had many psycho-logical and adverse effects, not only in sufferers but also in the general population, including university students. To date, little is known about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms experienced by university students during the peak of Covid-19 in Italy. Thus, the study describes Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders related to the Covid-19 outbreak among Italian university students and identifies the psychological distress risk and protective factors. Study design: A multicentre observational cross-sectional study. Methods: Data collection was involved in a self-reported web questionnaire, using the on-line platform Qualtrics®, in March and April 2020, involving convenience and consecutive sampling of Italians university students in different Italy regions. Results: A sample of 720 Italian university students was enrolled. Data analysis highlighted the leading role of sex, health concerns, and health engagement as negative or positive determinants of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders in Italian university students during the Covid-19 outbreak. In particular, it is very insightful having discovered that health engagement is a protective factor of students' mental health. Conclusions: This is the first study identifying sex, health issues and health commitment as positive or negative determinants of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders symptoms in Italian university students during the Covid-19 epidemic. Accordingly, this new achievement could be the starting point for the development of awareness campaigns for the psychological health of Italian university students.
Lingua originaleEnglish
pagine (da-a)236-247
Numero di pagine12
RivistaANNALI DI IGIENE MEDICINA PREVENTIVA E DI COMUNITÀ
Volume34
DOI
Stato di pubblicazionePubblicato - 2022

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 outbreak
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Humans
  • PTSD
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Psychological distress
  • Risk and protective factors
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Students
  • Universities
  • University students

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