Fear of war and mental health in Germany

• Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 2023-07, Vol.58 (7), p.1049-1054
• Main Authors: Hajek, A., Kretzler, B., König, H. H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anxiety; Anxiety - epidemiology; Anxiety Disorders - epidemiology; Depression - epidemiology; Epidemiology; Fear; Fear - psychology; Germany - epidemiology; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental depression; Mental Health; Nuclear war; Psychiatry
• ISSN: 0933-7954; 1433-9285
• DOI: 10.1007/s00127-022-02394-9

Purpose The objective of this study was to clarify the association between fear of war (both conventional war and nuclear war) and mental health (in terms of probable depression and probable anxiety). Methods Data were used from the general adult population in Germany ( n  = 3091 individuals; 15th March–21st March 2022). Probable depression and probable anxiety were both quantified using validated tools (PHQ-9/GAD-7). Multiple logistic regressions were used, adjusting for several sociodemographic, lifestyle-related and health-related factors. Results In total, 23.1% of the individuals had probable depression and 16.0% of the individuals had probable anxiety. Multiple logistic regression showed that the likelihood of probable depression was positively associated with fear of a conventional war (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.14–1.37). Furthermore, it was associated with fear of a nuclear war (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.12–1.33). Additionally, regressions showed that the likelihood of probable anxiety was positively associated with fear of a conventional war (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.49–1.86). Moreover, it was associated with fear of a nuclear war (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.39–1.71). Conclusions Our findings stress the importance of fear of war for mental health in the general adult population in Germany. Upcoming research in this area is necessary.