New study
Stress, loneliness, depression: Corona has so strongly influenced the psyche of young people
Many students have been complaining of headaches, nausea and poor sleep since the pandemic (symbol image)
© Bernard Jaubert / Picture Alliance
The first face-to-face events at the university start again in winter – but the pandemic has left its mark on students and trainees. Almost half feel psychologically stressed.
Almost 40 percent of all students and trainees feel very stressed by the corona pandemic and the associated restrictions. This is shown by a Forsa survey on behalf of the KKH commercial health insurance, which is available to the German Press Agency (dpa). Around two fifths of the respondents in both groups reported depressive symptoms during the virus crisis and stated that they were irritated more quickly than usual and more often demotivated.
“Around a quarter of university students and apprentices also report physical complaints such as headaches, stomach pains and tension, as well as problems falling or staying asleep”, according to the KKH. With regard to their own training, 65 percent of those surveyed fear that it will be difficult to plan important internships and semesters abroad in the coming months. In addition, almost half are worried that they will have to catch up on learning material, which would delay their training or studies.
The vast majority (74 percent) are worried about renewed contact restrictions with a view to the coming months, which is also associated with fear of loneliness (44 percent). Almost half of the students and trainees rely on their own strategies to cope with high psychological stress.
Social contacts are missing
KKH doctor Aileen Koenitz advised against self-treatment as well as sitting out stress-related complaints, especially if symptoms such as depression and exhaustion persisted for a longer period of time or were getting worse. Then professional help is indicated.
The question of how students in Germany experience everyday student life during the corona pandemic was also the focus of a recently presented online survey by the University of Hildesheim, entitled “Stu.diCo II – The Corona Pandemic from the perspective of students ” was standing.
In this survey, too, it became clear that the effects of the pandemic period are clearly noticeable on social interaction and that the feeling of emotional stress has increased. Over 91 percent of those questioned said that they “missed something or very little” in the conversations with their fellow students.
The same applies to the exchange with professors and lecturers (over 80 percent). And social life beyond everyday student life, such as parties or other events for students at the universities, was missed something or very much by more than 72 percent.