Young adults mental health in Germany: population-based trends, trajectories and influential factors

Abstract Background Emerging adulthood is a critical phase marked by major life changes and increased vulnerability to mental health problems, but also by opportunities for growth. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic and other societal crises have posed particular challenges to the mental health of young people. We aimed to investigate emerging adult mental health developments and influencing factors by combining continuous surveillance of core indicators (positive mental health, psychopathological symptoms) with in-depth analyses of individual trajectories over time. Methods We analyzed data from the representative GEDA study (2019-2023, ages 18-29), used for mental health surveillance, and from the JEPSY study (2024), a national cohort of 16-25-year-olds who previously participated in the KiGGS study (2014-2017). To investigate trends and developmental changes, constellations of influential factors and explanatory mechanisms in the transition to adulthood, we applied weighted regression, factor, mediation and latent profile analyses. Results Continuous mental health surveillance revealed a significant deterioration in mental health among young adults, with the prevalence of depressive symptoms increasing from 12.7% in 2019 to 19.0% in 2023. Cohort data additionally showed that 8.5% reported a suicide attempt and 42.6% an unmet need for professional help, often due to stigma or denial. In transition to adulthood, around 20% declined from good to poor mental well-being, while about 25% improved. Coping flexibility emerged as one relevant factor for maintaining or enhancing mental well-being. Conclusions The mental health of young people in Germany should be considered a major public health concern. Population-based trends of young adults show worrying deterioration but also potential for positive change. In-depth analyses of cohort data highlight key factors (e.g., coping flexibility) that can contribute to mental health maintenance or improvement across contexts and indicators.