Many in the UK are struggling to maintain a positive mental outlook during the current lockdown, a recent Ipsos MORI poll reveals.

The survey of 1,065 British adults, published on January 13, found that six in 10 adults aged 18 to 75 are finding it harder to stay positive than before the pandemic – an eight point increase since the November lockdown and the highest since Ipsos MORI started tracking the nation’s wellbeing in the pandemic.

Eighty-eight per cent said they were concerned about the risk Covid-19 poses to the country, while 70 per cent were worried about the risk to themselves.

Many also report finding it difficult to stay positive about the future, with just 45 per cent expecting life to return to normal in 2021.

Thirty-four per cent believe this will happen in January 2022 or later, while 10 per cent think it is unlikely life will ever return to normal.

More women (68 per cent) than men (52 per cent) report finding it difficult to stay positive day-to-day, while people aged 18 to 24 were more likely than odler individuals to be optimistic about life returning to normal this year.

Ipsos  MORI research director Keiran Pedley said: “These numbers show that many Britons are struggling with the third national lockdown – with 6 in 10 telling us they are finding it harder to stay positive day-to-day than before the pandemic began.

“Concern about the virus remains high and fewer than half expect life to return to normal this year. Although there is light at the end of the tunnel, public optimism is in short supply as 2021 begins.”