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COVID-19

COVID-19 Pandemic's Impact on Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults in Eastern Germany

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Autistic adults in Eastern Germany often face difficulties adapting to changes in their routines, and the COVID-19 pandemic further increased anxiety and depression in this population. Research conducted at Technical University Dresden shows that autistic individuals experienced reduced distress related to pandemic-related restrictions compared to non-autistic adults. The study aimed to compare the impact of pandemic-related restrictions on daily life and psychopathological symptoms between groups of autistic and non-autistic adults.

Key Takeaways:

  • Autistic individuals often experience significant difficulties adapting to changes in their routines, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The pandemic created an uncertain situation with frequent changes in daily life, but reduced some everyday pressures for autistic adults.
  • Non-autistic adults reported being affected more severely by pandemic-related restrictions, particularly reduction in social contacts and restrictions on freedom of travel.
  • Sensory sensitivity and Intolerance of Uncertainty (IoU) were the most relevant predictors of psychopathological symptoms in both groups.
  • Autistic adults reported higher sensory sensitivity and greater IoU compared to non-autistic adults, but were less affected by certain pandemic-related restrictions than anticipated.
  • Changes in overall physical health emerged as a predictor for autistic adults.
  • The relation between pandemic-related restrictions and predictors of psychopathological symptoms differed somewhat between groups.

Statistics:

  • 86 East German autistic adults (21 female, M = 33.49 years, SD = 13.32) and 87 non-autistic adults (21 female, M = 34.37 years, SD = 14.18) participated in the study.
  • The study examined potential predictors of psychopathological symptoms in both groups, including sensory sensitivity, IoU, and changes in overall physical health.
  • Sensory exposure due to face coverings affected both groups similarly, but 7-day incidence rate, pandemic duration, and the scope of social restrictions at the time of the survey were considered individually for each participant.

Sources:

  • The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of autistic and non-autistic adults in Eastern Germany. BMC Psychiatry, 2025;25(1):915.
  • newsRx. Studies from Technical University Dresden (TU Dresden) Update Current Data on COVID-19 (The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of autistic and non-autistic adults in Eastern Germany). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 13, 2025; p 198.

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