Facing stressful situation

Mass shootings, health care and the 2020 presidential election are significant causes of stress for American adults, a new survey finds. The poll of more than 3,600 US adults found that 71 per cent of them said mass shootings are a major source of stress, an increase from 62 per cent in 2018. Hispanics were most likely to say mass shootings are a significant source of stress (84 per cent), followed by blacks (79 per cent), Asians (77 per cent), Native Americans (71 per cent) and whites (66 per cent).

Health care is a significant cause of stress for 69 per cent of the respondents. Among the 47 per cent who experience stress about health care at least sometimes, the cost of health care is the most common source of that stress (64 per cent).

Adults with private insurance (71 per cent) were more likely than those with public insurance (53 per cent) to say the cost of health care causes them stress. Overall, 55 per cent worry that they won't be able to pay for health care services they may need in the future, according to this year's Stress in America survey from the American Psychological Association (APA).

The online survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, also found that 56 per cent of respondents have significant stress about the 2020 presidential election, an increase from 52 per cent in the period before the 2016 election.

Stress related to climate change rose to 56 per cent this year from 51 per cent last year. Stress associated with widespread sexual harassment rose to 45 per cent this year from 39 per cent last year.

Immigration was cited as a stressor by 48 per cent of respondents in the new poll, which was conducted between Aug. 1 and Sept. 3, 2019. It was most likely to be a source of stress among Hispanics (66 per cent), followed by Asians (52 per cent), Native Americans (48 per cent), blacks (46 per cent) and whites (43 per cent).

Discrimination is a source of stress for 25 per cent of respondents in the new poll, compared with 24 per cent in 2018, 21 per cent in 2017, and 20 per cent in 2016 and 2015.

The majority of people of color (63 per cent) in the 2019 survey said discrimination has hindered them from having a full and productive life, and a similar proportion of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) adults (64 per cent) said the same thing. In 2015, 49 per cent of people of colour said discrimination prevented them from having a full and productive life.

The new poll also found that while only 38 per cent of respondents feel the United States is on the path to being stronger than ever, 73 per cent feel hopeful about their future.

"There is a lot of uncertainty in our world right now -- from mass shootings to climate change. This year's survey shows us that more Americans are saying these issues are causing them stress," Arthur Evans Jr., APA's chief executive officer, said in an APA news release.

"Research shows us that over time, prolonged feelings of anxiety and stress can affect our overall physical and mental health. Psychologists can help people develop the tools that they need to better manage their stress," he said.

    HealthDay

Facing stressful situation

Mass shootings, health care and the 2020 presidential election are significant causes of stress for American adults, a new survey finds. The poll of more than 3,600 US adults found that 71 per cent of them said mass shootings are a major source of stress, an increase from 62 per cent in 2018. Hispanics were most likely to say mass shootings are a significant source of stress (84 per cent), followed by blacks (79 per cent), Asians (77 per cent), Native Americans (71 per cent) and whites (66 per cent). Health care is a significant cause of stress for 69 per cent of the respondents. Among the 47 per cent who experience stress about health care at least sometimes, the cost of health care is the most common source of that stress (64 per cent). Adults with private insurance (71 per cent) were more likely than those with public insurance (53 per cent) to say the cost of health care causes them stress. Overall, 55 per cent worry that they wont be able to pay for health care services they may need in the future, according to this years Stress in America survey from the American Psychological Association (APA). The online survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, also found that 56 per cent of respondents have significant stress about the 2020 presidential election, an increase from 52 per cent in the period before the 2016 election. Stress related to climate change rose to 56 per cent this year from 51 per cent last year. Stress associated with widespread sexual harassment rose to 45 per cent this year from 39 per cent last year. Immigration was cited as a stressor by 48 per cent of respondents in the new poll, which was conducted between Aug. 1 and Sept. 3, 2019. It was most likely to be a source of stress among Hispanics (66 per cent), followed by Asians (52 per cent), Native Americans (48 per cent), blacks (46 per cent) and whites (43 per cent). Discrimination is a source of stress for 25 per cent of respondents in the new poll, compared with 24 per cent in 2018, 21 per cent in 2017, and 20 per cent in 2016 and 2015. The majority of people of color (63 per cent) in the 2019 survey said discrimination has hindered them from having a full and productive life, and a similar proportion of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) adults (64 per cent) said the same thing. In 2015, 49 per cent of people of colour said discrimination prevented them from having a full and productive life. The new poll also found that while only 38 per cent of respondents feel the United States is on the path to being stronger than ever, 73 per cent feel hopeful about their future. There is a lot of uncertainty in our world right now -- from mass shootings to climate change. This years survey shows us that more Americans are saying these issues are causing them stress, Arthur Evans Jr., APAs chief executive officer, said in an APA news release. Research shows us that over time, prolonged feelings of anxiety and stress can affect our overall physical and mental health. Psychologists can help people develop the tools that they need to better manage their stress, he said. HealthDay