AUTHOR=Zaiser Christopher , Laskowski Nora M. , Müller Roland , Paslakis Georgios 
  
TITLE=Predictors of Loneliness, Mental Wellbeing, and Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Switzerland
  
JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health
  
VOLUME=Volume 71 - 2026
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609518
  
DOI=10.3389/ijph.2026.1609518
  
ISSN=1661-8564
  
ABSTRACT=ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic substantially affected population mental health. We examined predictors of increased loneliness, reduced mental wellbeing, and elevated stress in Switzerland.MethodsUsing the 2022 Swiss Health Survey, we ran weighted binary logistic regressions (weights representing 7,182,252 residents aged ≥15 years) to test sociodemographic, psychosocial, behavioral, and pandemic-related predictors of perceived change since before the pandemic; extended models added COVID-19 health variables. Predictors were entered in blocks.ResultsIncreased general anxiety since the pandemic’s onset was the strongest predictor across outcomes (OR range 3.25–11.31). Younger age, female gender, migration background, and sexual minority status were associated with higher burden. Living alone and strained family or friendship relationships also predicted greater loneliness, reduced wellbeing, and stress. Economic strain, increased alcohol/tobacco use, and higher workload were further associated with adverse outcomes. In extended models, prolonged COVID-19 symptoms were strongly associated with reduced wellbeing.ConclusionPandemic-related burden reflected an interplay of anxiety, relationship strain, and economic adversity. Public health responses should prioritize early identification of anxiety and targeted support for high-risk groups, alongside measures that strengthen social connectedness and adaptive coping.