The reduction in interpersonal contact caused by the pandemic has not spared anyone. Evidence suggests that relationships with others are associated with a lower risk of mental health problems, but we don't yet know what impact last year's restrictions had on university students. These students, more than the younger ones, were forced to attend lectures largely online, with no real proximity to teachers or fellow students.

Prof. Demis Basso, Professor of Psychology at the Faculty of Education at unibz, together with colleagues from Leeds Trinity University, is initiating research aimed at identifying factors that can most effectively protect and promote the mental health of students during a period of isolation such as they are currently experiencing. This will also help identify factors that can be most effectively supported to protect and promote student mental health during a time of isolation such as they are currently experiencing. In addition, it will help identify and target resources that will help students maintain or regain a state of positive mental health.

"There is an extreme need to develop evidence-based strategies to support students' mental health in order to minimize the negative impact of the pandemic not only on the well-being but also on the academic progress of an entire generation of students," says Prof. Basso. 

To volunteer in the research, one will need to answer an - anonymous - online questionnaire (time needed: 20 minutes). The Italian version of the questionnaire. 

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

(zil)