Corona study by the University of Basel – A third of 14 to 24 year olds have severe depressive symptoms

A new survey by the University of Basel shows that the psychological stress in the pandemic is still high. Over 11,000 people from all over Switzerland took part in the non-representative survey from mid-November to the end of November. It was carried out as part of the Swiss Corona Stress Study. There are big differences in which factors vaccinated and unvaccinated people perceive as stressful.

The greatest differences in the factors that the two groups perceive as stressful can be found in the measures taken against the coronavirus. The majority of the non-vaccinated perceive the certificate requirement as burdensome, the majority of the vaccinated, however, as a relief. Conflicts in the family, among friends or at work due to corona measures or vaccinations, on the other hand, perceive everyone as a burden.

According to the study, those who have been vaccinated are more concerned that someone from the closest environment could seriously contract Corona. For example, vaccinated parents of children between the ages of four and eleven are much more concerned about their children being infected than unvaccinated parents. Vaccinated people are also more afraid that children will bring the virus home and infect their parents or grandparents than those who are not vaccinated.

About a fifth of those surveyed suffer from severe depressive symptoms. According to the study, the vaccination status does not play a relevant role. The number of those affected has increased by ten percent since the beginning of the pandemic. Young people suffer particularly badly. Severe depressive symptoms are most common in the youngest group of 14- to 24-year-olds with around a third of those surveyed. In the case of school pupils and students, this is most closely related to stress caused by pressure to perform.

People who are more likely to struggle with financial problems during the pandemic are more likely to experience depression than those whose finances have remained flat or have increased. Participants who already had psychological problems before the pandemic are more often affected by severe depressive symptoms.

According to the survey, the use of addictive substances has increased among the respondents. Among people who take sedatives or sleeping pills, 53.6 percent report an increase in their consumption. 42.9 percent of respondents said their use had not changed during the pandemic and 3.5 people reported a decrease. A similar pattern can also be seen among people who consume nicotine, alcohol or cannabis. According to the University of Basel, the extent of use is related to the severity of the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression.