Behavioral and Emotional Outcomes in a Cohort of Healthy Young Adults Before and After the COVID-19-related Lockdown

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM The COVID-19 related lockdowns and social restrictions aiming to curb disease transmission negatively impacted mental health. This longitudinal study aims to examine the impact of covid-related lockdowns on the mental health of young adults residing in the Brescia province, Northern Italy, one of the first epicenters of the pandemic in Europe. METHODS. The Public Health Impact of Metals Exposure (PHIME)study is an ongoing environmental health study of adolescents and young adults living in Northern Italy. 167 PHIME participants completed the Adult Behavioral Checklist (ABCL) by email or phone interview between April 2017-January 2020 (pre-pandemic). We repeated the ABCL in June-July 2020, following the first COVID-19 lockdown in Italy (March-May 2020). 65 subjects (38.5% male) completed pre- and post-ABCL. We used sign test and multiple linear regression models to examine changes in pre- and post-COVID lockdown ABCL scores adjusting for sex, age, IQ, and time (weeks) in lockdown and social restrictions. We also examined differences by sex including an interaction term between time and gender. RESULTS. Time in lockdown and social restriction until the day of the second interview ranged from 12 to 18 weeks. Overall, thought problems increased between pre- and post-lockdown (median difference: 1.0; 1st, 3rd quartile: -1.0, 4.0; p=0.049).Among males, a longer time in lockdown and social restrictions (> 14 weeks) was associated with increased rule-breaking behaviors (β = 2.8, 95%CI 0.08, 5.5). CONCLUSIONS. This survey was carried out on a particularly significant sample: the survey participants had already answered previously to the same questionnaire proposed even after the lock-down.These results confirm a negative impact of the pandemic-related lockdown on behavior of young adults with greater impacts on males.These results may inform interventions aimed at minimizing or eliminating the consequences of social isolation experience in youth. KEYWORDS Mental Health, COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown, Young Adults