The survey shows that the situation has improved this autumn compared to this spring, however, in October, the thoughts and feelings of the population could also be changed by the national announcement announced in the country, which may increase the feeling of helplessness for many people.
Weakness is associated with the spread of the virus
As the prevalence of Covid-19 increases, almost a fifth of the Latvian population regularly experiences feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. If we add to this part of the population those people who are sometimes overwhelmed by such feelings, then it can be concluded that hopelessness and helplessness are the daily companions of the current circumstances. However, the Stress Thermometer, conducted by the pharmacy network Benu aptiekas in cooperation with the data company Gemius, also shows that the situation has improved this autumn compared to this spring, as in March one in four or 25 percent of respondents regularly struggled with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. .
One third of the population experiences feelings of hopelessness and helplessness sometimes, about the same number – 27 percent – such feelings are rare, but one fifth of the respondents have never felt hopelessness and helplessness during this time.
The figures are particularly worrying for young people
The highest rate of feelings of helplessness is among young people. 35 percent of young people between the ages of 18 and 24 admit to experiencing hopelessness or helplessness continuously or frequently. Young people aged 25 to 34 are also unfamiliar with these feelings, for example, they are often experienced by 16 percent of respondents, and sometimes by 32 percent of respondents in this age group.
In the last 12 months, hopelessness and helplessness are more common among men – 18 percent of men and 15 percent of women regularly experience it. However, this proportion is very variable, because, according to the respondents themselves, in the spring women fought more hopelessly.
Older people stress hardened or do not detect?
Population between the ages of 55 and 74 has experienced the least hopelessness and helplessness in the last 12 months. Among this age group, the highest percentage are those who never (28 percent) or rarely (30 percent) experience hopelessness or helplessness. One explanation could be a greater life experience that allows you to deal with a variety of problem situations, including relying on “time that will solve everything”. However, the second explanation could be that people over the age of 50 are much less willing to reveal to themselves and others that they feel bad, hopeless or helpless. In the middle age group, on average 13 to 16 percent of respondents experience hopelessness and helplessness.
Analyzing the data by the colloquial language used in the family, it can be seen that in general, feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness are now more often taken over by Latvians. Currently, eight percent of Russian-speaking people regularly experience feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, but among Latvians this indicator is significantly higher – 18 percent.
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