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Mental Health and Interpersonal Relationships in Emerging Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Overview

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Emerging Adulthood in the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Crises: Individual and Relational Resources

Part of the book series: Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology ((CAPP,volume 17))

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Abstract

Sars-Cov-2 was identified in China in December 2019 and in three months it expanded exponentially; The related disease, labeled as COVID-19, generated a condition of global pandemic affecting in many ways and at many levels human life, especially the social distancing between people and the social relationships in emerging adulthood. During April and May 2020, governments all over the world announced drastic measures to keep the spread of the virus under control and to avoid the further propagation of the virus. The World Health Organization recommended a mix of preventive measures such as testing, rapid diagnosis, self-isolation (quarantine), social distancing, lockdowns, travel restrictions, social activities cancellations, closure of schools and universities, remote working. The present chapter focuses on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth mental health and on interpersonal relationships during the crisis period in different countries. Special attention is paid to the relationships between emerging adults with their parents and the way they entered romantic relationships. Literature results show that changes and conflicts within different types of relationships are due to lack of communication and intimacy, emotional detachment between family members and partners. Also, positive aspects of the pandemic crisis period are investigated in this international overview.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Ioannina, Panepistimioupolis Dourouti, Ioannina, Greece

    Artemis Z. Giotsa

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  1. Artemis Z. Giotsa
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Correspondence to Artemis Z. Giotsa .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Primary Education, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

    Sophie Leontopoulou

  2. Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, Milano, Italy

    Antonella Delle Fave

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Giotsa, A.Z. (2022). Mental Health and Interpersonal Relationships in Emerging Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Overview. In: Leontopoulou, S., Delle Fave, A. (eds) Emerging Adulthood in the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Crises: Individual and Relational Resources. Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology, vol 17. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22288-7_4

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