Research finds more people worried about finances than catching Covid
Research also found a drop in happiness and life satisfaction levels
Last updated 29th May 2022
More people are worried about their finances than about catching coronavirus, research suggests.
University College London (UCL) found that almost four in 10 people (38%) are worried about their finances, up from 32% in January.
This is the highest level since the start of the pandemic.
There has also been a significant drop in happiness and life satisfaction.
The findings are based on a survey of 28,495 people between March 21 and 27 across the UK.
The research suggests that the changes likely reflect concerns about the cost-of-living crisis, while the lifting of legal restrictions in England has affected how people view coronavirus.
Fewer people feel in control of their finances
The research found that fewer people felt in control of their finances in March than in October last year (56% versus 63%).
Working age adults were twice as likely as older people to report concerns.
People are less concerned about the virus
The research found a drop in people concerned about catching the virus.
33% of people were concerned about getting Covid-19, down from 40% in January, the Covid-19 Social Study found.
Lead author Dr Daisy Fancourt, from UCL's Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, said: “the significant drop in people worried about catching the virus comes alongside a decline in people following previous social distance advice
She continued: "Nevertheless, it is important to remember that the number of Covid cases, hospitalisations and deaths remains equivalent or higher than in January 2022, meaning that the overall situation remains unchanged despite the shift in attitude."
Anxiety and depression is at its highest level for almost a year
There has also been a drop in happiness and life satisfaction levels month-on-month since the summer of 2021.
The research found some 49% said they feel in control of their mental health, down from 54% six months ago.
And the proportion of people with symptoms of anxiety and depression is at its highest level for 11 months, the survey found.
Dr Fancourt said: "These findings could suggest that our return to more 'normal' living has not had all the mental health benefits that people necessarily expected.
"This suggests that new psychological stressors are becoming dominant for individuals."
Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.