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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Jan;29(1):367-372.
doi: 10.1002/cpp.2608. Epub 2021 May 18.

Online psychological counselling during lockdown reduces anxiety symptoms and negative affect: Insights from Italian framework

Giuseppe Alessio Carbone  1 , Alessandro Zarfati  2 , Maria Sole Nicoli  2 , Andrea Paulis  2 , Gaia Tourjansky  2 , Giulia Valenti  1 , Enrico Maria Valenti  2 , Chiara Massullo  1 , Benedetto Farina  1   2 , Claudio Imperatori  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Online psychological counselling during lockdown reduces anxiety symptoms and negative affect: Insights from Italian framework

Giuseppe Alessio Carbone et al. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Several studies have shown how COrona VIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the consequent isolation and quarantine measures could affect physical and mental well-being. Therefore, the increased request for support and assistance represents a critical challenge for clinicians requiring a reorganization of care systems. In this regard, online counselling has been identified as a useful tool in providing psychological assistance and support. Thus, the main purpose of the current study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of a single online counselling session in reducing psychopathological symptoms (i.e., state anxiety and negative affect) and increasing individual well-being and positive affect during the first Italian lockdown. Fifty-three subjects were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive an online counselling session [Online Counselling Group (OCG) = 26] or to act as controls [Waiting List Group (WLG) = 27]. In the post-assessment, compared to WLG, the OCG showed a significant decrease in negative affect (18.04 ± 6.30 vs. 30.26 ± 8.61; F1:47 = 29.45; p < .001; dppc2 = .92) and state anxiety (36.65 ± 8.35 vs. 48.04 ± 11.51; F1:47 = 17.86; p < .001; dppc2 = .49). Taking into account the cyclical nature of COVID-19, with the possibility of new peaks and waves, it would be appropriate to consider the versatility and usefulness of online psychological counselling in the management of COVID-19-related distress.

Keywords: COVID-19; anxiety; lockdown; online psychological counselling; psychopathology.

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References

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