by Anja Zimmer

 

PhD Candidate at the University of Basel and Co-Author of the Swiss Corona Stress Study

The coronavirus crisis (COVID-19 pandemic) affects many aspects of our (public) lives and is a particularly stressful situation for our mental health. Restrictions of our social life, isolation and changes at our work or educational environment bring enormous challenges and therefore increased stress factors, which emerged from the coronavirus crisis. No one can currently estimate the impact these stress factors will have on mental health, as we’ve simply never experienced such a situation before.

 

 

What is stress?

Stress can be described as being confronted with a challenging situation and the adaptation to it. Humans are generally well-equipped to deal with stress and our stress system is highly adaptive. However, stress is also a well-known risk factor for mental illnesses.

 

Various surveys and articles currently call for a long-term plan on how to deal with the consequences the current situation has on the mental health of the people. That’s why it is of utmost importance to collect data from the general population as well as from vulnerable populations. Without these data one can only speculate.

 

 

Swiss Corona Stress Study by the University of Basel

A study conducted by the University of Basel investigates the consequences of the current crisis on the mental well-being in Switzerland and especially focused on the impact on the stress level as well as depressive symptoms. Next to identifying stress factors, they additionally looked at potential behaviors to reduce stress.

 

Within only three days over 10.000 individuals at the age of 14-92 years  participated in the survey. A first analysis was now calculated with these data. Here the date from the second and third week of the lockdown measures (beginning/middle of march) were compared to the date from before the coronavirus crisis (1st/2nd week of February) to create a snapshot, so to speak. Further analyses will follow.

 

Initial study results

The main results are as follows: 49.6% of the participants reported an increase of their stress level during lockdown compared to before the coronavirus crisis. This is mainly due to burdens resulting from changes in the work or educational environment, as well as restrictions of social life and caring for children.

 

Stress is a well-known risk factor for depression and in this survey the changes in stress levels were as well highly correlated with changes in depressive symptoms. 57% of the participants reported an increase of depressive symptoms. Accordingly, an increase of frequency was noted: Before the coronavirus crisis, 3.4% of the participants reported depressive symptoms which would call for treatment, during lockdown this increased to 9.1%.

 

Interestingly, 26% of the participants feel less stressed during lockdown than before the crisis (24% reported no changes in stress levels at all). It is assumed that for these individuals the lockdown measures led to a reduction in stress, e.g. a deceleration in daily life, having more time for recovery or hobbies.

 

In general, several behaviors could be identified which correlate with a minor stress increase: Physical activation, practicing relaxation exercises, taking more time for hobbies and new projects, taking newsbreaks and having a regular routine during the day, for meals, sleep and work/studying.

 

Stress and its fatal consequences on our mental health are no news. The stress research has a long history, many of these factors are already known from previous intervention studies. Moreover, the data from this current survey affirm these and show additionally, that the well-known anti-stress behaviors also work in this special situation of a pandemic lockdown.

 

What consequences does this global pandemic have on our society and wellbeing?

However, we’ve never been in a situation like this before – a global pandemic. Everyone is affected, everyone feels the consequences this pandemic has on our health and society in some form or other. Listlessness, loneliness, even depression and existential fear formerly taboos are now publicly discussed topics. Many people may even deal with questions about their mental health for the first time and speak openly about their well-being. There is also always talk about the chances of the coronavirus crisis. A stronger awareness for mental health is one of them.

 

Further information, see the publication: https://osf.io/jqw6a/

The survey is still ongoing: https://www.coronastress.ch/