Young men most likely to break lockdown rules, mental health study reveals

By Helen William, PA

More than half of men aged 19 to 24 have broken the UK's lockdown rules by meeting up with their friends, according to a study.

This group was also more likely to think they were not at risk of catching Covid-19 or spreading it to others, and that following the Government's guidelines was not worthwhile, psychologists from the University of Sheffield and Ulster University found.

The researchers - who questioned a representative group of 2,000 13 to 24-year-olds - found one in five adolescent men aged between 19-21 said they had been sent on their way, arrested, fined or taken home by police for breaking the rules - compared with just one in 10 women of the same age.

The study describes these males as being "more strongly unwilling" to stay at home and call a friend to say they are following Government social distancing rules.

It adds that "with an increase in age there is also a small increase in their willingness to go to the park and meet up with their friends".

The coronavirus pandemic had left 40% to 50% of young people saying they felt significantly more anxious than before the outbreak, and this situation was most stressful for young teenagers.

Ethnic minorities in England and Wales are dying from coronavirus at higher rates than their white peers. Levels of anxiety and depression were up to 10% higher for the black and mixed-race youngsters who were questioned than for those who were white or Asian.

Many of the youngsters, from across all ages, said they are not sticking to basic hygiene recommendations such as frequently washing their hands. Those in the older age groups were the worst culprits but most people said they would follow the guidelines in the coming weeks and that it was worthwhile.

Peer pressure may have led some of those who were questioned to break the lockdown rules but what was consistent across all ages and genders was that one in five young people were willing to stand close to their friends and chat if they met them on the street, the study found.

Lead researcher Dr Liat Levita, of University of Sheffield, said: "It is really striking how much older male adolescents stand out in terms of violating physical distancing rules.

"This is consistent with what we know about their greater tendency to take risks and reflects their belief that following the guidelines isn't worthwhile.

"Explaining the reasons behind ongoing physical distancing measures will be crucial to persuading young men to follow the rules as the government begins to ease the lockdown."

The research team plans to question the same group of youngsters at a later date to try and look at the longer-term impact that the pandemic is having on them.

Dr Levita added: "Not everyone will experience this period negatively, and we found that some of our teens are enjoying being at home with their parents more than ever, and are not more anxious or worried than before."