Anxiety, depressive symptoms, and distress over the course of the war in Ukraine in three federal states in Germany.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting consequences are in the center of political discussions, media, and likely individual thinking of the population in Germany. Yet, the impact of this prolonged exposure on mental health is not known hitherto.

Methods

Using the population based cohort study DigiHero from three federal states (Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, and Bavaria), we assessed anxiety levels (GAD-7), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), and distress (modified PDI) in the first weeks of war and 6 months later.

Results

Of those 19,432, who responded in the first weeks of war, 13,934 (71.1%) responded also 6 months later. While anxiety and emotional distress decreased during the 6 months, their average scores were still elevated, and a substantial fractio

SUBMITTER: Massag J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10172594 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature