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Trauma-spectrum symptoms among the Italian general population in the time of the COVID-19 outbreak
- Source :
- European Journal of Psychotraumatology, Vol 12, Iss 1 (2021), European Journal of Psychotraumatology, article-version (VoR) Version of Record
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Taylor & Francis, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Background: Recent evidence showed adverse mental health outcomes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including trauma-related symptoms. The Global Psychotrauma Screen (GPS) is a brief instrument designed to assess a broad range of trauma-related symptoms with no available validation in the Italian population. Aims: This study aimed to examine the factor structure of the Italian version of the GPS in a general population sample exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate trauma-related symptoms in the context of COVID-19 related risk factors associated with lockdown measures. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional web-based observational study as part of a long-term monitoring programme of mental health outcomes in the general population. Eighteen thousand one hundred forty-seven participants completed a self-report online questionnaire to collect key demographic data and evaluate trauma-related symptoms using the GPS, PHQ-9, GAD-7, ISI, and PSS. Validation analyses included both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and correlation analyses. The relation with putative COVID-19 related risk factors was explored by multivariate regression analysis. Results: Exploratory factor analyses supported a two-factor model. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the best fitting model was a three-factor solution, with core Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) (re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal), Negative Affect (symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety, irritability), and Dissociative symptoms. GPS Risk factors and specific COVID-19 related stressful events were associated with GPS total and the three factor scores. Conclusions: Our data suggest that a wide range of trauma-spectrum symptoms were reported by a large Italian sample during the COVID-19 pandemic. The GPS symptoms clustered best in three factors: Negative Affect symptoms, Core PTSS, and Dissociative symptoms. In particular, high rates of core PTSS and negative affect symptoms were associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy and should be routinely assessed in clinical practice.<br />HIGHLIGHTS • This study examines the factor structure of the Global Psychotrauma Screen. • Data were collected during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Italy. • A three-factor model was the best solution. • Core Post-Traumatic and Negative Affect symptoms were associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Subjects :
- Male
050103 clinical psychology
RC435-571
Computer-assisted web interviewing
创伤谱系症状
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
0302 clinical medicine
Surveys and Questionnaires
Pandemic
创伤后应激症状
Psychiatry
Clinical Research Article
education.field_of_study
05 social sciences
Middle Aged
Confirmatory factor analysis
Italy
post-traumatic stress symptoms
Quarantine
Anxiety
trauma-spectrum symptoms
Female
medicine.symptom
Research Article
Clinical psychology
Adult
trastorno de estrés postraumático
medicine.medical_specialty
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Population
Context (language use)
Irritability
03 medical and health sciences
síntomas de estrés postraumático
covid-19
post-traumatic stress disorder
Trauma-spectrum symptoms
medicine
Humans
0501 psychology and cognitive sciences
education
Pandemics
business.industry
SARS-CoV-2
Outbreak
COVID-19
Mental health
030227 psychiatry
Cross-Sectional Studies
Settore MED/25
síntomas del espectro traumático
创伤后应激障碍
Observational study
business
Subjects
Details
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- European Journal of Psychotraumatology, Vol 12, Iss 1 (2021), European Journal of Psychotraumatology, article-version (VoR) Version of Record
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....407948f864b0bf8223d3b2029f7d5707
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13643865.v1