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Mental health and COVID-19 in university students: a qualitative study comparing Italy and the UK
- I. Riboldi, C. A. Capogrosso, S. Piacenti, A. Calabrese, S. Lucini Paioni, F. Bartoli, J. Armes, C. Crocamo, C. Taylor, G. Carrà
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S209-S210
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Introduction
The worldwide spread of the COVID-19 pandemic affected all major sectors, including higher education. The measures to contain this deadly disease led to the closure of universities across the globe, introducing several changes in students’ academic and social experience. During the last two years, self-isolation together with the difficulties linked to online teaching and learning, have amplified psychological burden and mental health vulnerability of students.
ObjectivesWe aimed to explore in depth students’ feelings and perspectives regarding the impact of the COVID-19 on their mental health and to compare these data among students from Italy and the UK.
MethodsData were resulting from the qualitative arm of “the CAMPUS study”, a large ongoing project to longitudinally assess the mental health of university students enrolled at the University of Milano-Bicocca (Unimib, Italy) and the University of Surrey (UoS, Guildford, UK). We conducted in-depth interviews through the Microsoft Teams online platform between September 2021 and April 2022, and thematically analysed the transcripts.
ResultsA total of 33 students (15 for Unimib and 18 for UoS), with a wide range of sociodemographic characteristics, were interviewed. Four themes were identified: i) impact of COVID-19 on students’ mental health; ii) causes of poor mental health; iii) most vulnerable subgroups; vi) coping strategies.
Anxiety symptoms, social anxiety, and stress were frequently reported as negative effects of the pandemic, while the main sources of poor mental health were identified in loneliness, exceeding time online, unhealthy management of space and time, bad organization/communication with university, low motivation and uncertainty about the future. Freshers, international or off-campus students, as well as both extremely extroverted and introverted subjects, represented the most vulnerable populations, because of their extensive exposure to loneliness. Among coping strategies, the opportunity to take time for yourself, family support, and mental health support were common in the sample.
Some differences were found comparing students from Italy and the UK. While at Unimib the impact of COVID-19 on mental health was mainly described in relation to academic worries and the inadequate organization of the university system, UoS students, familiar to the conviviality of campus life, explained these effects as a result of the drastic loss of social connectedness.
ConclusionsThe current study highlights the key role of mental health support for university students, mainly during crisis times, and calls for measures to improve communication between students and the educational institution, as well as to encourage social connectedness.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Clinical factors associated with unipolar mania: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- F. Bartoli, C. Nasti, D. Palpella, S. Piacenti, M. E. Di Lella, S. Mauro, L. Prestifilippo, C. Crocamo, G. Carrà
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S506
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Introduction
The existence of a clinical entity on the spectrum of mood disorders characterized by the occurrence of manic episodes without major depressive episodes (Unipolar Mania, UM) is largely debated. Although not classified nosologically, the studies exploring this topic have suggested that UM might differ from bipolar disorder with a manic-depressive course (md-BD), in terms of several clinical characteristics. Individuals with UM might represent a subpopulation with specific clinical profiles and unmet care needs, requiring personalized treatments, as compared with those suffering from md-BD.
ObjectivesTo identify clinical factors associated with UM, as compared with md-BD.
MethodsWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies according to the MOOSE guidelines. We searched for articles indexed up to July 2022 in the main electronic databases. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses of the association between UM and relevant correlates, using odds ratio for categorical variables and standardized mean difference for continuous variables.
ResultsBased on data from 21 studies meeting the eligibility criteria, we found that individuals with UM, as compared with md-BD, were more likely to be males (p = 0.007) and to have an earlier age at onset (p = 0.020). Moreover, UM was significantly associated with a higher number of hospitalizations (p < 0.001), the occurrence of psychotic features (p < 0.001), as well as hyperthymic temperament (p = 0.012). Finally, subjects with UM were less likely to report a family history of depression (p = 0.006) and a personal history of suicide attempts (p < 0.001).
ConclusionsOur work supports the hypothesis that UM might represent a distinctive diagnostic construct, with peculiar clinical correlates. Additional research is needed to better differentiate UM in the context of affective disorders.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Rates and correlates of DSM-5 mixed features among individuals with affective disorders: a cross-sectional study
- F. Bartoli, D. Palpella, T. Callovini, B. Bachi, R. Cioni, F. Moretti, A. Canestro, M. Morreale, S. Piacenti, A. Bartoccetti, M. Castiglioni, S. Limonta, M. Re, C. Crocamo, G. Carrà
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S507
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Introduction
The definition of mixed states has been changed over the years, leading to substantial heterogeneity and inconsistencies across studies, and thus limiting the understanding of this phenomenon. Given the limited data available after the introduction of the DSM-5 mixed features specifier (MFs), we conducted a cross-sectional study evaluating MFs in individuals suffering from affective disorders, i.e., major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder (BD).
ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to evaluate rates and correlates of MFs in a consecutive sample of inpatients with mood episodes.
MethodsWe included adults consecutively admitted to our inpatient mental health unit with a current manic episode (ME) or major depressive episode (MDE). DSM-5 criteria were used to assess the occurrence of MFs. Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) were used to assess the severity of the mood episodes. We used the Kemp Compliance Rating Scale to assess medication adherence.
ResultsA total of 285 individuals were included (mean age ± SD: 48.3 ± 17.9; M/F ratio: 2/3). Among them, 94 (33.0%) were in a ME and 191 (67.0%) in a MDE. Forty individuals (14.0%) exhibited MFs. We found that MFs were significantly more frequent in participants with a diagnosis of BD (p<0.001) and during a ME (p=0.006). In addition, study participants with MFs had lower medication adherence at hospital admission (p=0.008). Finally, individuals with ME and MFs had lower YMRS scores than those without MFs (p<0.001), and, similarly, those with MDE and MFs had lower MADRS scores than those without MFs (p<0.001).
ConclusionsConsidering DSM-5 classification, we found that MFs are a phenomenon strongly linked to BD. While the symptom severity of the prevalent polarity tends to be lower in episodes with MFs, the reduced adherence may be suggestive of a more complex clinical management requiring specific treatment approaches.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared