Differences and similarities between the impact of the first and the second COVID-19-lockdown on mental health and safety behaviour in Germany

Abstract

Background Governmental restrictions of daily life are key elements in reducing the transmission of COVID-19, but they have also put a strain on people’s mental health. Preventive policies differ all over the world as well as over different periods of time, and depend mostly on current infection rates. In Germany, there were two periods of restraint of varying severity, during which the government used different combinations of containment and mitigation measures to protect risk groups and to lower the number of hospitalizations. Methods In two online studies, we aimed to determine differences and similarities in COVID-19-related fear, generalized anxiety, depression and distress levels, as well as in the adherence to safety behaviour between the first lockdown in March and April and the second lockdown in November. Results This study showed continued high psychological burden and even increased levels of depression symptoms, as well as less safety behaviour in the second phase of restrictions. Conclusions The results hint at a prolonged negative impact on people’s mental health and their safety behaviour despite lesser restrictions in the second lockdown, which may be interpreted as pandemic fatigue and hence strengthens the argument for a low-threshold access to psychological care.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress, anxiety, and depressive disorders in German primary care: A cross-sectional study

“… Richter et al (2021) highlighted that mental health care utilization indicators did not suggest an increased demand during the first lockdown phase, which is in line with our results. Also, Moradian et al (2021) demonstrated the impact of COVID-19 on patients mental health in Germany using longitudinal data, revealing a prolonged negative impact on people's mental health in Germany despite the fact that less intensive restrictions were introduced during the second lockdown compared to the first, which may be interpreted as pandemic fatigue. This is in line with this analysis' results, demonstrating that anxiety disorders were documented more often the more prolonged the COVID-19 pandemic and its imposed measures last.…”

Gene-by-Crisis Interaction for Optimism and Meaning in Life: The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Many countries, including the Netherlands experienced multiple waves of COVID-19 infections and a prolonged lockdown. Comparing the effect of the first and the second lockdown on mental health, increased depressive symptoms and a higher psychological burden in the second lockdown were reported in Germany and Austria, although the restrictions were less strict compared to the first lockdown (Moradian et al 2021 ; Dale et al 2021 ). Therefore the results for optimism and meaning in life might also be different further into the pandemic or the effects might change over time.…”

Families`worries During the First and Second COVID-19 Wave in Germany: Comparative Longitudinal Study in Two Populational Childhood Cohorts

“…An Austrian study showed lower wellbeing and higher stress levels during the rst COVID-19-related lockdown, when infection rates were high, than six months later, when infection rates were low [20]. A study conducted in Germany also found a signi cant decline in wellbeing from the rst to the second wave [21]. The authors also observed a decrease in safety behavior and, therefore, interpreted the ndings as pandemic fatigue (rather than increased own concern).…”