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Published in: Neurological Sciences 7/2021

01-07-2021 | Mood Disorders | COVID-19

Subjective cognitive failures and their psychological correlates in a large Italian sample during quarantine/self-isolation for COVID-19

Authors: Gabriella Santangelo, Ivana Baldassarre, Andrea Barbaro, Nicola Davide Cavallo, Maria Cropano, Gianpaolo Maggi, Raffaele Nappo, Luigi Trojano, Simona Raimo

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 7/2021

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Abstract

Objective

The quarantine/self-isolation measures implemented to retard the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may negatively affect the mental health of the population. The present study aimed to explore the impact of the psychological symptoms on the occurrence of cognitive failures in a large sample of home-dwelling Italian individuals during quarantine/self-isolation for COVID-19.

Methods

We employed an online questionnaire using a virtual platform of Google Moduli. The questionnaire included an assessment of cognitive failures evaluated by the Perceived Memory and Attentional Failures Questionnaire (PerMAFaQ) and of resilience, coping style, depression, anger, and anxiety.

Results

The online questionnaire was completed by 4175 participants revealing that about 30% of participants complained of cognitive failures at least sometimes during quarantine/self-isolation, whereas some respondents reported very frequent cognitive failures. Moreover, resilience was found to mediate the relationships between depressive and anger symptoms and cognitive failures. Although no difference was found on PerMAFaQ among smart-workers, non-smart-workers, and those currently not at work, people not working at the moment complained of more frequent cognitive failures.

Conclusions

These findings indicate the need to implement psychological support intervention, particularly for vulnerable groups, to reduce anxiety, depression, and anger, and of psychoeducational interventions to enhance resilience reducing possible long-term cognitive consequences of the quarantine.
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Metadata
Title
Subjective cognitive failures and their psychological correlates in a large Italian sample during quarantine/self-isolation for COVID-19
Authors
Gabriella Santangelo
Ivana Baldassarre
Andrea Barbaro
Nicola Davide Cavallo
Maria Cropano
Gianpaolo Maggi
Raffaele Nappo
Luigi Trojano
Simona Raimo
Publication date
01-07-2021
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Neurological Sciences / Issue 7/2021
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05268-1

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