Cited by 143COVID-19 and Mental HealthMental Health Research TopicsAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Psychological distress associated with the COVID-19 lockdown: A two-wave network analysis

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Di Blasi, Maria, Gullo, Salvatore, Mancinelli, Elisa, Freda, Maria Francesca, Esposito, Giovanna, Gelo, Omar Carlo Gioacchino, Lagetto, Gloria, Giordano, Cecilia +4 more·2021·Journal of Affective Disorders

Abstract

Background Although preliminary research has evidenced negative psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among the general population, little research has been carried out examining the interplay among the broader dimensions and correlates of individual distress. Via network analysis, the current study investigated the pathways that underlie some components of psychological distress and their changes over time (during and post COVID-19-related lockdown).Methods 1,129 adult participants (79.1% women) completed a two-wave online survey during and after the lockdown, and reported on variables such as depression, anxiety, stress, fear of COVID, intolerance of uncertainty, emotion regulation and social support. The networks were estimated via Gaussian Graphical Models and their temporal changes were compared through the centrality measures.Results Depression, stress, anxiety and fear of COVID formed a spatially contiguous pattern, which remained unchanged in both the two waves. After the lockdown, the fear of COVID node reduced its strength in the network, whereas inhibitory intolerance of uncertainty and emotion suppression were associated with depression. Emotion regulation was connected to depression, but not to stress and anxiety during both waves. Perceived emotional support had few connections to the other nodes.Limitations Only 32.7% of participants provided complete responses for both waves.Conclusion The COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant psychosocial impact on adults. In the context of the network approach, depressive symptoms had the highest strength and their associations to other dimensions of individual distress may be key factors in understanding the influence of exposure to the COVID-19 outbreak on mental health.

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  • After the lockdown, the psychological sequelae are still unclear and the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention during that period need to be investigated.

    “Therefore, after the lockdown, the psychological sequelae are still unclear and the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention during that period need to be investigated.”

    From Mindfulness-based online intervention increases well-being and decreases stress after Covid-19 lockdown (2022) · cites this paper as [48]

    The Introduction says longitudinal research on COVID-19-related psychological distress is scarce, and the Discussion’s Strengths and limitations section says the short follow-up may have missed later changes in distress. These passages support uncertainty about post-lockdown psychological effects. The paper does not address whether the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention during lockdown need investigation (searched: “mindfulness”). Page numbers were unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Authors
Di Blasi, M., Gullo, S., Mancinelli, E., Freda, M. F., Esposito, G., Gelo, O. C. G., Lagetto, G., Giordano, C., Mazzeschi, C., Pazzagli, C., Salcuni, S., & Lo Coco, G.
Affiliations
  • University of Palermo (IT)
  • University of Padua (IT)
  • University of Naples Federico II (IT)
  • Sigmund Freud Privatuniversität Wien (AT)
  • University of Salento (IT)
  • University of Perugia (IT)
Venue
Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-04
Volume
284
Pages
18-26
ISSN
0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3127594419
Cited by
143
References
84
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 23
FWCI
20.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Nova Science Publishers (Nova Science Publishers, Inc.) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome) (submittedVersion)
  • AIRUS (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Padua Research Archive (University of Padova) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
COVID-19 lockdown, psychological distress, depression, anxiety, stress, fear of COVID-19, intolerance of uncertainty, emotion regulation, emotional suppression, social support, network centrality
MeSH terms
Psychological Distress, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Adult, Anxiety, Communicable Disease Control, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Stress, Psychological, Pandemics

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