# The Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Italian Families: The Perception of Quality of Life and Screening of Psychological Symptoms

## TL;DR

This study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health and quality of life of Italian families, highlighting the importance of parental support.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach to assessing psychosocial impacts in families during the pandemic using self- and proxy-report questionnaires.

## Key findings

- Approximately 20% of participants showed clinical anxiety scores, and 10% showed clinical anger scores.
- Parental quality of life scores and child-reported quality of life differed significantly.
- Physiological and social anxiety were identified as key predictors of quality of life.

## Abstract

Throughout the COVID-19 period, families were forced to stay indoors, adapting to online schooling, remote work, and virtual social engagements, inevitably altering the dynamics within households. There was a notable increase in mental health challenges in terms of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. This study intended to explore the psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Italian families by adopting self- and proxy-report questionnaires on anxiety, anger, and health-related quality of life. The results showed that approximately 20% obtained a clinical anxiety score and only 10% obtained a clinical anger score. There was a difference in the perception of the quality of life reported by the child and that perceived by the parent. A stepwise regression model showed that total anxiety scores were predicted by sex, quality of life scores from the parents’ self-report version, and the total anger score. Another stepwise regression model identified physiological and social anxiety as the best predictors that impact quality of life. Parental well-being actively influences the well-being of children, so it is fundamental to implement preventive programs and promote child well-being by providing parents the most adequate support possible.