Long-term effects of soft and hard repression in the German Democratic Republic on depression, anxiety and somatic symptoms three decades after the peaceful transition in Germany

Understanding the impact of political repression and changing political systems on individual health is crucial in a globalized and rapidly changing world. Political repression can take different forms depending on the instigators' motives: subversive “soft” or “quiet” forms of repression are less visible and directly target psychological well-being, while “hard” or “loud” repression uses violence and incarceration to impact physical health and freedom. While the long-term-consequences of hard forms of repression such as torture are well researched, the impact of soft forms of repression is often neglected. In a probability-based sample of 1800 citizens born before 1980 and socialized in the German Democratic Republic self-reported depression, anxiety and somatic symptoms were investigated in different groups. Results revealed elevated scores for people who experienced any form of repression before 1980, while somatic symptoms were elevated for those who experienced incarceration. In addition, reporting repression in one's social surroundings without direct victimization predicted anxiety and depression scores. These values were largely independent of appraisal of reunification. • In a probability sample, 14.4 % of former GDR citizens reported direct repression. • Soft repression is linked to higher depression and anxiety symptoms. • Hard repression is associated with elevated somatic symptoms. • Declines in status post-reunification linked to higher depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms. • Increases in indirect repression tied to higher depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms.