Abstract
During the pandemic, the extent of subsequent mental health strains is an important issue. A representative face-to-face survey was conducted to assess mental health consequences in the general population and to identify mental health risk factors. In a representative German sample (N = 2,503), we assessed depression and anxiety symptoms by the PHQ-4 and loneliness by a validated item. An earlier survey (2018) which used the same methods and had comparable response rates served as comparison. Scores of depression and anxiety symptoms increased from an average of 0.89 (SD = 1.21) and 0.77 (SD = 1.17) in 2018 to 1.14 (SD = 1.23) and 1.05 (SD = 1.31) in 2020. Loneliness did not increase (M = 1.35, SD = 0.68 in 2018; M = 1.38, SD = 0.78 in 2020), affecting about one in four participants to some degree. Younger participants and women were most likely to report depression, anxiety, and loneliness. As in the previous survey, social inequality factors contributed to distress and loneliness. The small overall increase of distress was consistent with recent German panel studies. In future studies and mental health interventions female sex, younger age, and socioeconomic disparities need to be considered as vulnerability factors for distress.
Highlights
During the pandemic, the extent of subsequent mental health strains is an important issue
In a German online survey conducted during the first lockdown, between March 27th and April 06th, 2020, 25% of the participants scored above the cut-offs for anxiety (GAD-2) and for depression (PHQ-2)
We aimed to answer the following research questions: 1. What is the level of depression and anxiety symptoms, and loneliness in the general population after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous mental health data?
Summary
The extent of subsequent mental health strains is an important issue. In a German online survey conducted during the first lockdown, between March 27th and April 06th, 2020, 25% of the participants scored above the cut-offs for anxiety (GAD-2) and for depression (PHQ-2) They reported spending an average of almost five hours per day thinking about the pandemic, which exacerbated their stress[5]. Using self-report scales, we assessed depression and anxiety symptoms with the established PHQ-416 and loneliness with a validated item[17] in a representative face-to-face survey from May 2nd to June 29th, 2020 At this time, lockdown measures were successively being reduced, most schools and childcare facilities remained closed. What is the level of depression and anxiety symptoms, and loneliness in the general population after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous mental health data? We aimed to answer the following research questions: 1. What is the level of depression and anxiety symptoms, and loneliness in the general population after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous mental health data?
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