The COVID-19 pandemic has led to dramatic social and economic changes in daily life. First studies report an impact on mental health of the general population showing increased levels of anxiety, stress and depression. In this study, we compared the impact of the pandemic on two culturally and economically similar European countries: the UK and Germany. Participants (UK = 241, German = 541) completed an online-survey assessing COVID-19 exposure, impact on financial situation and work, substance and media consumption, mental health using the Symptom-Check-List-27 (SCL-27) and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. We found distinct differences between the two countries. UK responders reported a stronger direct impact on health, financial situation and families. UK responders had higher clinical scores on the SCL-27, and higher prevalence. Interestingly, German responders were less hopeful for an end of the pandemic and more concerned about their life-stability. As 25% of both German and UK responders reported a subjective worsening of the general psychological symptoms and 20–50% of German and UK responders reached the clinical cut-off for depressive and dysthymic symptoms as well as anxieties, it specifically shows the need for tailored intervention systems to support large proportions of the general public.

中文翻译：

---

COVID-19 大流行对普通人群心理健康的影响：德国和英国的比较

COVID-19 大流行导致日常生活发生巨大的社会和经济变化。第一项研究报告了对普通人群心理健康的影响，显示焦虑、压力和抑郁水平增加。在这项研究中，我们比较了大流行病对两个文化和经济相似的欧洲国家（英国和德国）的影响。参与者（英国 = 241，德国 = 541）使用 Symptom-Check-List-27 (SCL-27) 和分裂型人格问卷。我们发现两国之间存在明显差异。英国响应者报告说，对健康、财务状况和家庭的直接影响更大。英国应答者在 SCL-27 上的临床评分更高，患病率也更高。有趣的是，德国的响应者对大流行结束的希望不大，而更担心他们的生活稳定性。由于 25% 的德国和英国响应者报告称一般心理症状主观恶化，并且 20-50% 的德国和英国响应者达到了抑郁和心境恶劣症状以及焦虑的临床临界值，这特别表明需要量身定制的干预系统，以支持大部分公众。