The impact on the psyche of healthcare workers is well documented. Now a new study shows that the pandemic has caused mental anxiety in other industries as well.
The corona pandemic is having a major impact on the psyche of employees in Germany. According to the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of workers in the healthcare industry is already well documented. A new study by the DGUV is now showing for the first time how high the proportion of employees with mental stress is in other sectors.
Between December 2020 and June 2021, the Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the DGUV surveyed more than 1,500 employees from the public sector, the financial sector, retail, local public transport and industry on the subject.
According to the study, six percent of those surveyed said they had suffered from severe symptoms of depression or anxiety during the first wave of the corona pandemic. As many as 16 percent said they had significant symptoms. According to the study, both proportions almost doubled in the second and third corona waves.
In addition to the fear of infection, other factors also influenced the severity and frequency of symptoms. According to the study, these were: conflicts between work and private life, a lack of instructions on protection against infection, protective measures against the virus in the workplace that were perceived to be inadequate, and the lack of contact with work colleagues.