Psychosocial Effects and Use of Communication Technologies during Home Confinement in the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy and The Netherlands

• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052619
• Publication Date: 2021-03-05T16:46:09Z
• Authors: Sofia Bastoni; Christian Wrede; Achraf Ammar; Annemarie Braakma...; Robbert Sanderman; Andrea Gaggioli; Khaled Trabelsi; Liwa Masmoudi; Omar Boukhris; Jordan M. Glenn; Bassem Bouaziz; Hamdi Chtourou; Lisette van Gemer...
• Keywords: Pandemic; Social Isolation

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic forced people from all around the globe to strongly modify their daily routines, putting a significant strain on social aspects of lives. While first wave was very challenging time in countries, it is still uncertain whether various lockdown intensities and infection rates differed regarding psychosocial impact. This work therefore aimed investigate (i) effects home confinement two European countries that underwent different intensities: Italy Netherlands (ii) role communication technology relation feelings loneliness. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional online survey inquiring about variables use satisfaction towards circulated among general public during pandemic. In total, 629 participants (66% female, 68% Netherlands) answered each question twice, referring “before” “during” (3) Results: We found negative depressive (p < 0.001, %∆ = +54%), loneliness +37.3%), life −19.8%) mental wellbeing −10.6%) which were accompanied with significantly increased need for support +17.3%). However, magnitude impact did not differ between residents undergoing more intense (Italy) versus less (Netherlands) lockdown, although decrease participation be both (z −7.714, p 0.001). Furthermore, our findings demonstrate increase associated adoption new digital tools (r 0.21, 0.001), higher individuals who started adopt at least one tool than those −4.252, (4) Conclusions: study highlights that, impacted pandemic, this based intensity. Recognizing increasing an attempt reduce loneliness, future studies should what needed achieve effect.