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COVID-19

COVID-19 Pandemic Exacerbates Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders in German Youth

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of young people in Germany, with a new study suggesting that the pandemic has exacerbated post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) among children and adolescents. Researchers at the University of Hildesheim analyzed claims data from a representative sample of children and adolescents aged 0-17.9 years, comparing prevalence, incidence, and comorbidities of PTSD pre-COVID (January 2018 to March 2020) and intra-COVID (April 2020 to December 2021). The study found that PTSD prevalence decreased among girls and boys, but treatment utilization showed sex and socio-economic status (SES) differences.

Key Takeaways:

  • PTSD prevalence decreased among girls (0.8% to 0.6%) and boys (0.6% to 0.4%) in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Quarterly incidence in female children with high SES showed a significant increase in slope pre-COVID to intra-COVID.
  • Externalizing comorbidities increased especially in female adolescents (OR = 1.34 [1.05, 1.72]).
  • Psychotherapy utilization decreased in male children with low SES (OR = 0.63 [0.41, 0.98]) and increased in adolescent girls with low SES (OR = 1.73 [1.09, 2.74]).
  • Hospitalizations among female adolescents only decreased for those with low SES (OR = 0.67 [0.38, 1.19]).

Statistics:

  • PTSD prevalence decreased among girls from 0.8% to 0.6% and among boys from 0.6% to 0.4%.
  • Quarterly incidence in female children with high SES increased by 18-fold ( = .018) pre-COVID to intra-COVID.
  • Externalizing comorbidities increased by 34% in female adolescents (OR = 1.34 [1.05, 1.72]).
  • Psychotherapy utilization decreased by 63% in male children with low SES (OR = 0.63 [0.41, 0.98]) and increased by 73% in adolescent girls with low SES (OR = 1.73 [1.09, 2.74]).
  • Hospitalizations among female adolescents decreased by 33% for those with low SES (OR = 0.67 [0.38, 1.19]).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. University of Hildesheim Reports Findings in COVID-19 (Post-traumatic stress disorder in German youth: representative claims data pre- vs. intra-COVID-19-pandemic). Psychology & Psychiatry Journal. July 12, 2025; p 15.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder in German youth: representative claims data pre- vs. intra-COVID-19-pandemic. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 2025;16(1):2512683.

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