Anxiety and depression affected young people aged 18 to 30 more severely during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, especially those with university degrees. This is the conclusion of a study led by IDIAPJGol researcher Constanza Jacques-Aviñó, together with Matthew Bennett, Tomàs López-Jiménez, Laura Medina-Perucha, Brenda Biaani León-Gómez, and Anna Berenguera.
The study, published in BMC Psychology, analysed how risk perception and coping mechanisms influenced mental health according to gender and educational attainment.
One in three people reported anxiety
The research, based on a survey of more than 2,000 adults living in Spain during the second state of emergency (April and May 2021), shows that 33.4 % of participants presented moderate or severe anxiety symptoms, and 26.5 % showed symptoms of depression. These figures were higher among women and among people with university studies.
The data indicate that women perceived greater risk in social activities such as meeting friends or family and going outside, while men expressed more concern about enclosed spaces and public transport. However, women reported using beneficial strategies to cope with the situation, such as maintaining social contact or engaging in physical activity, which were associated with better mental health.
More resources among university graduates
This difference was also influenced by educational level. Both women and men with university degrees reported having more resources to manage stress, while those without higher education faced more barriers and said they had fewer tools to deal with emotional difficulties.
More equitable policies
According to the research team, these results highlight the need to consider axes of inequality such as gender and social class when designing mental health policies. They also warn that job insecurity and lack of resources limit the capacity to cope with crisis situations, potentially worsening emotional and mental health outcomes.
The researchers stress that “promoting community support networks and ensuring equitable access to wellbeing resources is key to managing future health emergencies from a public health and social justice perspective.”
Dr Jacques-Aviñó, the study coordinator, adds that “it is essential to understand mental health from a structural perspective and to consider the context of individuals experiencing emotional distress.”
Study reference
Bennett, M., López-Jiménez, T., Medina-Perucha, L. et al. Risk perception and coping mechanisms by gender identity and education level during the COVID-19 syndemic in Spain. BMC Psychol 13, 598 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02611-5
