Jewish students in Germany experience greater psychological distress — Jerusalem Post
Jewish students in Germany reported significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression and stress compared with their non-Jewish peers. These findings were obtained by researchers at the University of Regensburg and Berlin's Sigmund Freud Private University, reports the Jerusalem Post.
Survey of 320 students
The study was conducted online from June to September 2024. It involved 320 students in Germany, 151 of whom self-identified as Jewish. The authors assessed levels of stress, anxiety, depression and self-esteem using standardized questionnaires. They also examined perceptions of antisemitism, feelings of safety, Jewish identity and ties to Israel.
The largest statistical difference between Jewish and non-Jewish participants was recorded in anxiety. At the same time, no difference in self-esteem levels was found between the groups. After accounting for age, gender, income, political views and psychiatric history, Jewish identity remained an independent factor associated with all three indicators of psychological distress.
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Feelings of danger and perceptions of antisemitism
Among Jewish students, perceptions of antisemitism were most strongly associated with psychological distress. The higher participants assessed the level of antisemitism in German society, Israel-related antisemitism and antisemitism in the academic environment, the higher their stress, anxiety and depression scores were. A stronger connection to Israel was also associated with higher stress levels.
Some 54.3% of surveyed Jewish students said they did not feel safe or rather did not feel safe as Jews in Germany. Another 86.8% linked the increase in antisemitism they perceive to Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and subsequent socio-political events.
The researchers also found that with stronger perceptions of antisemitism, participants described their own Jewish identity more strongly. The study's lead researcher, Irina Yarvers, a clinical neuroscientist at the University of Regensburg, noted that university psychosocial counseling centers should take into account identity-related stress as well as implicit forms of antisemitism. According to her, programs aimed at strengthening personal resources and coping strategies can reduce psychological distress, as self-esteem proved to be a protective factor.
