What is the level of post-traumatic stress disorder experienced by Italian University students during the Covid-19 pandemic? Result of an online survey

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To date, level of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms experienced from university students during the peak of Covid-19 in Italy is until under investigated. Therefore, this study aims to describe PTDS related to the Covid-19 outbreak among Italian university students. METHODS: A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted, involving convenience and consecutive sampling of Italians University students. A self-reported web questionnaire on the on-line platform Qualtrics®, was used to data collect, in March and April 2020. RESULTS: Overall, 720 Italian University students participated to this study. The sample are major male (80.7%) with an average mean of 23.52 years. The results of data analysis highlighted the important level of PTSD experienced from Italian University students during the Covid-19 outbreak, especially by female students that presented higher levels of PTSD. Additionally, no differences were found between students in healthcare field and not in healthcare field. CONCLUSION: The results showed, for the first time, the level of PTSD experienced by Italian Universities students, triggered by the psychological consequences of the health emergency Covid-19. This situation requires public health interventions aimed at preventing the early development of such mental disorders, which negatively affect the growth of future generations.