Societal worries and mental disorders in the general population: insights from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS)

Worries about societal issues such as climate change, pandemics, geopolitical tensions, and economic instability may negatively impact mental health. However, few studies have assessed a broad range of worries within a single study, examining both individual and cumulative associations with mental disorders. In this cross-sectional analysis of wave 2 of NEMESIS-3, a population-based study conducted in 2023–2024 ( n = 4,688; age 21–78) worries about climate, COVID-19, international tensions, energy supply/prices, daily living costs, and the housing market were each assessed with a single item and dichotomized (1 = "a lot" or "very much"; 0 = "not” or “a little"). Mental disorders were measured using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0. Logistic regression models estimated associations between worries and 12-month prevalence of mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. 38.3% of respondents were worried about international tensions and 34.0% about housing; 25.9%-28.3% about climate, energy, and daily costs; 1.4% about COVID-19. Worries were modestly intercorrelated. Worries about COVID-19, international tensions, energy, and housing were associated with higher odds of mood (range adjusted odds ratios: 1.54–5.61), anxiety (1.27–2.68), and substance use disorder (1.44–4.27). Climate worries were related to anxiety and substance use disorder (1.47–1.83); daily cost worries to mood and anxiety disorder (1.72–1.81). Each additional worry increased the odds of any disorder by 24%. Worries about societal issues are common and associated with mental disorders. These findings suggest that societal worries may be relevant to consider in public mental health practice and future longitudinal research.