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Compared to today’s older generations, members of Generation Z are much more likely to report experiencing negative emotions such as stress, anxiety and loneliness, according to a new study.
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A smaller part of Generation Z is booming compared to millennials of the same age, and members of Generation Z are much less likely to describe their mental health as “excellent,” according to a new study.
“Less than half (47%) of Generation Z Americans are successful in their lives – among the lowest of any generation in the United States today and a rate well below that of millennials of the same age,” a report from Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation. said.
The study, released Thursday, aims to reflect the voices of Generation Z on the key issues facing this generation. Researchers surveyed more than 3,000 people aged 12 to 26 in April and May of this year.
“Decisions affecting public policies, learning environments, and workplaces should take into account the perspectives of (not just about) Generation Z, the challenges they face, and the solutions that address them. better to its unique needs,” the study says.
Researchers said a scale measuring whether people are thriving, struggling or suffering is a telling measure. Respondents were asked to rate how they viewed their current and future lives, and to define them as successful if they gave high marks in both categories.
According to the study, only 41% of Gen Zers aged 18 to 26 are thriving, while millennials of the same age are thriving at a rate of around 60%.
One thing that’s important to keep in mind: generational research is controversial.
Some researchers argue generation labels are harmful and unscientific.
And earlier this year, the Pew Research Center underlines that some trends that appear to be generational shifts may actually be differences based on life stage and age that can change over time.
Compared to today’s older generations, the Gallup-WFF study indicates that members of Generation Z are much more likely to report experiencing negative emotions such as stress, anxiety and loneliness.
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The researchers also said they found “evidence that self-reported mental health problems among Generation Z are distinct from those of previous generations at the same age.” When asked to describe their current mental health or well-being, only 15% of Gen Zers aged 18 to 26 said they were excellent.
This is a sharp decline from a decade ago, according to the study, when 52% of millennials in the same age group said their mental health was excellent. And in 2004, 55% of people aged 18 to 26 (including millennial and Generation X respondents) reported excellent mental health.
Why was there such a significant drop? Researchers noted that the overall decline in mental health over the past decade may be partly to blame. According to the study, millennials and members of Generation X “report significantly lower mental health ratings today” than they did a decade ago.
This isn’t the first research highlighting Gen Z’s mental health issues.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said poor mental health remains a “significant public health problem” for adolescents, especially adolescent girls.
A 2018 American Psychological Association report found that, compared to other generations, more Gen Zers believed their mental health was fair or poor. At the time, the association’s CEO called the change worrying, but noted there could also be a positive sign.
“This generation may be more attuned to mental health issues than older generations,” said psychologist Arthur Evans.
The picture that members of Generation Z paint of their lives is far from gloomy.
According to the study, more than three-quarters of Gen Z agree that they have a great future ahead of them.
“There is persistent optimism about this generation’s mental health challenges,” the study said.
Despite this optimism, the study also notes that less than half of Gen Zers feel prepared for the future.
Mental health isn’t the only issue explored by the study.
Other results include:
• About half (53%) of Gen Z students who want to pursue higher education believe they can afford it.
• 40% of Gen Z students said they were very or somewhat worried about gun violence at their school
• Earning “enough money to live comfortably” is Gen Z’s “most frequently cited hope for the future,” with 69% of respondents ranking it among their top wishes.
The researchers said this study is their first report on this nationally representative group, but it won’t be the last. They plan to continue surveying members of Generation Z to provide more data to policymakers.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified American Psychological Association CEO Arthur Evans.
