What’s wrong with Gen Z? – Post-pandemic persistence of depression and anxiety symptoms among young adults in Germany

Background Adolescence and early adulthood are crucial periods marked by identity formation and increased vulnerability to mental health issues, with most mental disorders beginning before the age of 25. Today’s youth face amplified risks due to overlapping crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and economic instability, potentially disrupting age-typical developmental tasks and contributing to rising rates of anxiety and depression. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal development of anxiety and depression symptoms across four generational cohorts. Methods This study drew on data from the German subsample of the ongoing “SOSEC – Social Sentiment in Times of Crises” project. In total, 25,143 individuals contributed 112,858 survey entries, responding to items on depression and anxiety symptoms based on modified versions of the PHQ-9 and GAD-2. Generational groups were determined by year of birth, with particular attention given to Generation Z. Linear mixed-effects models were applied to assess how generation, survey period, gender, and employment status influenced mental health symptoms. The analysis also included interaction terms and post-hoc comparisons between groups. Results Generation Z showed significantly higher and stable levels of depression and anxiety symptoms than all older generations across all survey periods (all p  < .001). Women reported more symptoms than men and employment was linked to lower symptom levels. Conclusions The findings indicate a persistently elevated mental health burden among Generation Z, underscoring the need for early intervention, stepped-care approaches, and targeted prevention strategies tailored to this cohort’s developmental challenges. Protective factors such as employment highlight potential entry points for indicated prevention, while broader support during key life transitions, such as entering the workforce or higher education, can serve as universal preventive measures. Implementing multi-level, stepwise care and preventive interventions is crucial to mitigate long-term mental health consequences, strengthen resilience, and promote adaptive coping among young people facing ongoing societal crises.