Download This Paper
Preprints with The Lancet is a collaboration between The Lancet Group of journals and SSRN to facilitate the open sharing of preprints for early engagement, community comment, and collaboration. Preprints available here are not Lancet publications or necessarily under review with a Lancet journal. These preprints are early-stage research papers that have not been peer-reviewed. The usual SSRN checks and a Lancet-specific check for appropriateness and transparency have been applied. The findings should not be used for clinical or public health decision-making or presented without highlighting these facts. For more information, please see the FAQs.
Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adults and Their Children in Italy
19 Pages Posted: 5 May 2020
More...Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has abruptly changed the life of millions in the areas stricken by the pandemic as movements and social contacts have been severely restricted. We assessed the psychological impact of COVID-19 on adults and children, with special attention to health care workers (HCWs).
Methods: On March 20-26, 2020, a self-rated online survey was conducted in Italy. Psychological impact was assessed with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) in adults, and the Children Revised Impact of Event Scale-Revised-13 items (CRIES-13) in their 8- to 18-year-old offspring. Linear mixed-effects models were applied to the data, accounting for age, sex, education, and other demographic characteristics.
Outcomes: Data were available from 2,419 adults (78·4% females, mean age 38·1 ± 13·1 year; 15·7% HCW) and 786 children (50·1% male, mean age 12·3 ± 3·2). Median (IQR) for IES-R score was 30·0 (21·0-40·0), corresponding to mild psychological impact, with 33.2% reporting severe psychological impact. IES-R scores were lower in HCW (29·0) than non-HCW (31·0), but HCW involved in COVID-19 care had higher scores (33·0 [26·0-43·2]) than uninvolved HCW (28·0 [19·0-36·0]). Median CRIES-13 score was 21·0 (11·0-32·0), with 30·9% of the children at high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. Parent and child scores were correlated.
Interpretation: Up to 30% of adult and children in the pandemic area are at high risk for post-traumatic stress disturbances. The risk is greater for HCW directly involved in COVID-19 care and their children.
Funding Statement: None.
Declaration of Interests: Authors declare they have no conflict of interests.
Ethics Approval Statement: Expedited approval was obtained from the institutional ethics committee.
Keywords: COVID-19; epidemic; psychological stress; children
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation