Other problems exacerbated by the pandemic include increased stress levels, social withdrawal, eating disorders, suicidal ideation and self-harm 18, 19. Additionally, anxiety, depression, irritability, boredom, inattention and fear of COVID-19 are predominant new-onset psychological problems in children 3, 9, 15, 16, 17. Young people believe that it is not a potentially serious disease, and they underestimate the likelihood of contracting it, showing high confidence in their good health 14. For example, one study showed that Italian adolescents have a low perception of the risk associated with contracting COVID-19. There are, however, mixed results about young people's perceived fear of infection. In particular, researchers have shown that as loneliness levels increase, death obsession also increases 13. Other studies have brought to light the existence of a relationship between COVID-19 fear, death obsession and levels of loneliness. However, time spent with family, virtual contact with friends, and increased physical activity were found to be correlated with less loneliness and could be coping strategies aimed at reducing feelings of loneliness during social isolation 11, 12. In a previous study regarding the adolescent population, stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic was found to be significantly related to worse adjustment, with the presence of depression and loneliness. Moreover, social isolation, school closures, lack of interactions, fear of infection, and feelings of loneliness have compromised the mental health of adolescents leading to an increase in the broad sense of emotional-behavioral problems and worsening psychopathological aspects 10. Recent literature has highlighted significant emotional difficulties experienced by adolescents and reactive to bio-psycho-social factors due to the ongoing pandemic 3, 7, 8, 9. In addition to organic impairment, the COVID-19 pandemic has generated an overall change in the whole population and especially in adolescents. Moreover, studies found that the pandemic affected the female population more than the male one 4, 5, 6. The incidence of such symptoms increased significantly in coincidence with the lockdown phases, evidence that the pandemic has led to a condition of instability and unpredictability 3. Stressors during lockdown include the duration of quarantine, fears of infection, frustration, boredom, and inadequate supplies and information 1. Many studies described depression, fatigue, low mood, irritability, insomnia, post-traumatic stress symptoms, anger, and emotional exhaustion as psychological symptoms related to the pandemic. In the general population, depressive symptoms increased the most during the pandemic, followed by anxiety and stress-related disorders 1, 2. The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on the mental health of young people around the world, with heightened isolation and psychosocial distress. The results show a high prevalence of symptoms because of the COVID-19 pandemic and confirm the need for easy access to support and treatment service to help contain the bio-psycho-social risk factors prompted by the current pandemic and promptly and effectively manage the consequences. Furthermore, girls showed a more severe level of distress. In addition, we found psychotic symptoms (16%), panic (25% suprathreshold), anxiety (46.8% suprathreshold), depression (18.7% suprathreshold), eating-related symptoms (51%), sleep difficulties (57%), a tendency to social withdrawal after the pandemic (15%), suicidal ideation (30%), and self-harming behavior (9%). 1.85% showed suprathreshold symptoms for post-traumatic stress disorder and 21% showed isolated symptoms of acute or post-traumatic stress due to the pandemic. 41% of the respondents felt more stress than during the first lockdown. 500 adolescents (12–18 years) completed an online survey created using validated scales. We proposed a new questionnaire to investigate the presence of symptoms related to anxiety, panic, depression, eating disorders, sleep disorders, social withdrawal, stress disorders, psychotic symptoms, anti-conservative thoughts, and self-harming acts aggravated by COVID-19 restrictions and possible differences between males and females. A previous study showed that about 80% of Italian adolescents reported isolated symptoms of acute or post-traumatic stress during the first lockdown in Italy.
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