Americans are more stressed than before, and experts blame COVID
Published 11/03/23, Mansur Shaheen, The Messenger
COVID Pandemic Caused Collective Trauma in Americans, Survey Says
Americans, and specifically younger people, are much more stressed now than they were in years past. Experts say this is because of collective trauma experienced during the pandemic.
A survey published Thursday by the Harris Poll and American Psychological Association (APA) found steep rises in stress levels in Americans between ages 18 and 44.
“The COVID-19 pandemic created a collective experience among Americans. While the early-pandemic lockdowns may seem like the distant past, the aftermath remains,” Arthur Evans Jr., Ph.D., the APA’s chief executive officer, said in a statement.
For the survey, 3,185 U.S. adults were asked whether they feel stressed, what was causing them stress, and if they have experienced a stress-related condition such as mental health problems or high blood pressure.
They found that 34% of Americans between ages 18 to 34, and 31% between 35 and 44, report that their current stress levels are eight or higher on a ten point scale — with a score of ten representing the most stress. These represent a 31% and 47% rise respectively.
This stress has helped deteriorate the health of many Americans. Around two-thirds of participants said they have a chronic illness of some sort now, including 24% who said they have anxiety and 23% who reported symptoms of depression.
Despite their struggles, many still do not think their issues are a big deal. Among participants who reported being stressed, 67% say they don’t consider their issues serious enough to feel stressed about. This can lead to many who could benefit from care not seeking it out, the APA says.
“We cannot ignore the fact that we have been significantly changed by the loss of more than one million Americans, as well as the shift in our workplaces, school systems, and culture at large. To move toward posttraumatic growth, we must first identify and understand the psychological wounds that remain,” Dr. Evans said.
The decline of America’s mental health has been a massive issue coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. A record number of deaths by suicide were recorded in 2022, according to official data. A KFF survey found that more than 30% of Americans report feeling symptoms of anxiety or depression, a figure that sharply rose during the pandemic.
While many, including Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D., have pointed to loneliness and isolation caused by the pandemic for this issue, the APA finds financial concerns are also a driver of the crisis.
Among respondents who said they are stressed, 67% of people 35 to 44 and 58% between 18 to 34 said paying for essentials is a driver of stress — highlighting the impact significant inflation has had on Americans over the past few years.