One wave or another in the pandemic: psychological well-being during the third COVID-19 wave

Abstract

BackgroundAfter a year from the emergence of COVID-19 in February 2020, between March and May 2021 Italy faced its third wave of infections. Previous studies have shown that in the first phases of the pandemic certain factors had a protective effect against distress. However, little is known regarding the role of possible protective variables after prolonged pandemic situa-tions.Material and methods454 Italian adults were asked questions regarding the intensity of mental states and emotions experienced, the perceived usefulness of lockdown, the feeling of living a normal life, and the coping strategies implemented to face the pandemic.ResultsOur findings indicate that the presence of acceptance attitudes toward restrictive measures and the implementation of rec-reational activities helped participants face a prolonged pandemic with positive emotions.ConclusionsThese results extend previous findings about the impact of several behavioral variables on individuals’ mental states and emotions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.