The Impact of Quarantine and Physical Distancing Following COVID-19 on Mental Health: Study Protocol of a Multicentric Italian Population Trial

Abstract

COVID-19 quarantine group. This group includes the general population which are quarantined but not isolated, i.e., those not directly exposed to contagion nor in contact with COVID-19+ individuals; b) Group 2-COVID-19+ group, which includes isolated people directly/indirectly exposed to the virus; c) Group 3-COVID-19 healthcare staff group, which includes firstand second-line healthcare professionals; d) Group 4-COVID-19 mental health, which includes users of mental health services and all those who had already been diagnosed with a mental disorder. Mental health services worldwide are not prepared yet to manage the short-and long-term consequences of the pandemic. It is necessary to have a clear picture of the impact that this new stressor will have on mental health and well-being in order to develop and disseminate appropriate interventions for the general population and for the other at-risk groups.

Effects of the lockdown on the mental health of the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: Results from the COMET collaborative network

“…The total score is calculated by adding together the response values of each item, with higher scores indicating more severe levels of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms. The score at the DASS-depression subscale (e.g., "I felt that I had nothing to look forward to") is divided into normal (0-9), mild (10)(11)(12), moderate (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20), severe (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27), and extremely severe depression (28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42). The score at the DASS-anxiety subscale (e.g., "I was worried about situations in which I might panic and make a fool of myself") is divided into normal (0-6), mild (7-9), moderate (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), severe (15)(16)(17)(18)(19), and extremely severe anxiety .…”

“…The score at the DASS-anxiety subscale (e.g., "I was worried about situations in which I might panic and make a fool of myself") is divided into normal (0-6), mild (7-9), moderate (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), severe (15)(16)(17)(18)(19), and extremely severe anxiety . The score at the DASS-stress subscale (e.g., "I tended to over-react to situations") is divided into normal (0-10), mild (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18), moderate (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26), severe (27-34), and extremely severe stress (35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42).…”

“…A few, short-term studies have already shown the impact of lockdown on the mental health of the Italian general population in the first days of "Phase one" [37][38][39]. We have decided to carry out an online survey using several validated assessment instruments in order to evaluate the impact of the lockdown on the mental health of Italian population throughout the different weeks of Phase one [40]. In particular, in this paper we aim to: (a) report the levels of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms in a large sample of the Italian general population; (b) explore the levels of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms during the different weeks of lockdown; and (c) identify possible risk and protective factors for mental health outcome.…”

Systematic Review of the Literature About the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lives of School Children

“…The consequences of the containment measures of COVID-19 are being detrimental to the mental health of people around the world. It is logical that the most vulnerable are children who do not understand what is happening and who, along with the concern and frustration of their elders, may present risk factors, such as anxiety and affective and post-traumatic stress disorders (Giallonardo et al, 2020 ). However, not only minors are affected.…”

Coronavirus misinformation and the political scenario: the science cannot be ‘another’ barrier

“…The unprecedented consequences provoked by the novel coronavirus pandemic is not only situated on health field [ 1 – 3 ] but also all domains of society, such as economic [ 4 ], work [ 5 ], families [ 6 ], education [ 7 ], migration [ 8 ], and politics [ 9 ]. This complex scenario implies considering different levels of vulnerability [ 10 ], recruiting specific resources for singular needs.…”