Coronavirus: Stress levels rising amid speculation over end of UK lockdown, study finds

‘The slight improvement in wellbeing we had seen since lockdown started has plateaued as discussions around an exit have begun,’ study lead states

Stress levels among people worried about catching coronavirus have increased amid speculation over when lockdown restrictions might ease, a study has found.

Since Boris Johnson announced on Monday 23 March that the nation was being placed in lockdown, the public has questioned how long they will need to stay in their homes.

Conversations concerning how lockdown restrictions may be eased have increased recently, with experts suggesting that the UK’s exit plan may begin with conditions being relaxed for 60 per cent of the population.

And this growing speculation has correlated with an increase in stress, say scientists at University College London (UCL).

The researchers conducted a survey of more than 80,000 adults in England, as part of an ongoing look at how the pandemic has impacted people’s mental health and wellbeing.

The team found that stress levels were higher among adults who have children in their households.

Furthermore, stress levels were found to be ”notably lower” among people living in urban areas.

“Over the past week we have seen stress levels rise and the slight improvement in wellbeing we had seen since lockdown started has plateaued as discussions around an exit have begun,” said Dr Daisy Fancourt, associate professor at UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology and Health and lead author of the study.

“Stress about unemployment remains relatively stable, with around one in 12 people worried about their future. These levels are similar across most demographics, although higher in those under 60 and those with a mental health diagnosis.”

Dr Fancourt stated that around one in six of the respondents reported being worried about their finances, particularly among people under the age of 60, those with lower household incomes, adults with children in their households and those living with a mental health condition.

The professor added that stress regarding access to food has “stayed low over the past week, with only one in 12 people now worried about it”.

However, this figure “rises to around one in eight amongst people with a mental health condition and one in 10 for people with an annual household income lower than £30,000”.

“It is also slightly higher in people living with children,” Dr Fancourt added.

The research conducted by UCL was funded by the Nuffield Foundation with additional support from Wellcome and UK Research and Innovation.

Cheryl Lloyd, education programme head at the Nuffield Foundation, said that the study “can help identify which groups are most at risk from the social and psychological impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic”.

“As the UK begins to discuss an end to lockdown, this evidence can inform the government’s response so that it considers and mitigates these risks,” Ms Lloyd said.