One wave or another in the pandemic: psychological well-being during the third COVID-19 wave

BACKGROUND After a year from the emergence of COVID-19 in February 2020, between March and May 2021 Italy faced its third wave of infections. Previous studies have shown that in the first phases of the pandemic certain factors had a protective effect against distress. However, little is known regarding the role of possible protective variables after prolonged pandemic situations. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE 454 Italian adults were asked questions regarding the intensity of mental states and emotions experienced, the perceived usefulness of lockdown, the feeling of living a normal life, and the coping strategies implemented to face the pandemic. RESULTS Our findings indicate that the presence of acceptance attitudes toward restrictive measures and the implementation of recreational activities helped participants face a prolonged pandemic with positive emotions. CONCLUSIONS These results extend previous findings about the impact of several behavioral variables on individuals' mental states and emotions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.