How Distressed Are Adolescent Students? A Mix-Method Study on High School Students in Northern Italy, Two Years after the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202407.1571.v1
• Publication Date: 2024-07-23T17:08:27Z
• Authors: Anna Maria Della ...; Loredana Covolo; Carlotta Fiammenghi; Silvia Marconi; Umberto Gelatti; Maurizio Castellano; Barbara Zanini
• Keywords: Pandemic

Adolescence is a central phase for the development of person’s identity involving complex multidimensional changes and increasing vulnerability to distress. The aim this study was investigate psychological well-being adolescent students in Brescia (Northern Italy), two years after beginning Covid-19 pandemic. An online survey investigated extent reasons reported by high school their emotional distress (ED), also considering other factors such as physical activity, diet, sleep smartphone overuse. main ED were classified through qualitative analysis freetext answers. 1686 agreed participate, 50% showed presence ED. According multiple logistic analysis, associated female gender (AdjOR 2.3, p<0.0001), age 1.6, duration <8 hours 1.5, p=0.0003), anxiety perception 3.4, certain eating behaviors, e.g. comfort food consumption 2.0, p<0.0001). free-text answers, were: “school pressure”, “ relationships with family peers”, “negative states” “the pandemic”. results show level among adolescents may help better address needs