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01-03-2022 | COVID-19 | COVID-19

Age- and gender-related differences in the evolution of psychological and cognitive status after the lockdown for the COVID-19 outbreak: a follow-up study

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

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Objective

Individuals experienced psychological symptoms in response to quarantine for the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the possible effect of age and gender on the evolution of mental health status after the quarantine in the Italian population and the baseline predictors of post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Methods

An online follow-up questionnaire including an assessment of depression, anxiety, anger, post-traumatic stress, subjective cognitive failures, resilience, and coping style was completed by participants 2 months after the end of the quarantine (n = 758).

Results

Individuals experienced psychological symptoms also 2 months after the end of the quarantine. No decrease in depression and anxiety scores emerged, but younger individuals and females experienced more severe symptoms. Anger symptoms decreased in young adults, whereas they increased in older adults. Moreover, individuals reported more cognitive failures at follow-up. No changes were observed in resilience, whereas participants reported adopting fewer coping strategies at follow-up. Finally, post-traumatic stress symptoms 2 months after the end of the lockdown were associated with more severe psychological symptoms and more fear of getting infected at baseline.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that the long-term psychological impact and the cognitive consequences of quarantine differ according to age and gender. The identification of more vulnerable groups allows the implementation of interventions to reduce psychological symptoms and the risk for cognitive impairment.

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Title: Age- and gender-related differences in the evolution of psychological and cognitive status after the lockdown for the COVID-19 outbreak: a follow-up study
Authors: Gianpaolo Maggi
Ivana Baldassarre
Andrea Barbaro
Nicola Davide Cavallo
Maria Cropano
Raffaele Nappo
Gabriella Santangelo
Publication date: 01-03-2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: COVID-19
Anxiety
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05768-0

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Age- and gender-related differences in the evolution of psychological and cognitive status after the lockdown for the COVID-19 outbreak: a follow-up study

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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