We’re anxious. Specifically, Generation Z is anxious, according to Time. In total, more than 90% of Generation Z, a cohort from people aged 15 through 21, have anxiety. The cause is social issues.
The American Psychological Association released an annual report that said those in Generation Z have the most stress than any other cohort. While the report focused on interviews with those who are 18 and older, there were also interviews with people from ages 15 to 17.
Overall, 91% of Gen Z adults said that they felt physical and/or emotional symptoms related to stress such as anxiety or depression. Issues such as gun violence (75% of Gen Z said were a cause of stress), rising suicide rate (62% of Gen Z said were a cause of stress), sexual harassment and assault (53% of Gen Z said were a cause of stress), and migrant family separation (57% of Gen Z were stressed by this) are what are causing Gen Z’s anxiety levels from being high.
The study also noted that work, finances, personal health, social media and loneliness are factors that are causing stress in Generation Z.
37% of Gen Z members stated that they received help from a mental health professional, however they did not feel it helped managed their stress. 75% said they could have had more emotional support in the year to overcome stress.
Generation Z is the future of America. Members of older generations have supported this cohort or criticized it, but Generation Z is inevitable and is groundbreaking.
This cohort has technological knowledge, determination to achieve their goals, have been credited as the next leaders of business, as family people who are open to marriage and children but want to focus their efforts on making a change.
Being a Gen Z-er also means that responsibility falls on your lap. Stepping into the world and making your mark, changing and resolving issues that have come around due to other cohorts and that cause Gen Zs anxiety and stress. This makes older cohorts wary and view Gen Z-ers as vanguards who will be focused on their phones, not want to go to college or higher education, and destroy the hobby of reading and dating, preferring a more virtual and casual relationship with each other.
This pressure of being the future for Generation Z can be all-consuming, and the additional stressful situations they see around them, such as political news and personal problems, don’t relieve this burden of anxiety they carry around. It goes without saying that this report on the high percentage of stressed Generation Z-ers is not unusual due to the situation they are put in. But, Gen Z-ers are open to moving forward, with 75% of recipients interviewed saying they are looking forward for the future.
Photo: Lorie Shaull
