The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a continued deterioration in mental health in Germany. An analysis of the NAKO Health Study with around 80,000 adults shows that depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and stress increased significantly by autumn 2022 – especially among younger adults under the age of 40 and among women.

The study evaluated data from 79,239 participants. They were surveyed at three points in time: before the pandemic (2014–2019), in spring 2020 (early pandemic phase) and in autumn 2022 (late pandemic phase). Standardized questionnaires on depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress and self-perceived health were used.

The proportion of people with depressive symptoms rose from 5.9 percent before the pandemic to 9.7 percent in the fall of 2022, moderate to severe anxiety symptoms increased from 3.9 percent to 6.2 percent, moderate to severe stress from 4.1 percent to 10.2 percent. The group with simultaneous exposure to all three symptoms more than doubled by the late pandemic phase.

Self-assessed health initially developed positively: In spring 2020, the proportion of those who rated their health as “very good” rose from 36.5 percent before the pandemic to 44.4 percent. By autumn 2022, the trend had reversed – only 30.5 percent reported “very good” health, while reports of “less good” health were about twice as frequent as before the pandemic.

Younger adults under the age of 40 and women were particularly affected. In these groups, deteriorations in mental health and self-perceived health occurred more frequently. Older participants and men, on the other hand, showed more stable or even improved courses.

The pandemic has left its mark on mental health – not only in the short term, but also in the late phases, explained Prof. Dr. Annette Peters, Chair of the Board of NAKO e.V. and Director of the Institute of Epidemiology at Helmholtz Munich. The results indicated a long-lasting change that persisted even after the removal of many protective measures.

First author Yanding Wang, a doctoral student at Helmholtz Munich, emphasized that younger people and women were more affected by the psychological consequences. The research team concludes that permanently low-threshold services to promote mental health are necessary to prevent an additional burden of disease.

The NAKO Health Study is the largest population-based longitudinal study in Germany. Through its comprehensive data before, during and after the pandemic, it provides unique insights into the long-term effects. The ongoing investigations are intended to show how the observed changes continue to develop.

Original Paper:

Changes in mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic – Deutsches Ärzteblatt

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.