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gun violence. recession. climate change. Russian-Ukrainian War. midterm elections. While the majority of Americans are uneasy about each of these issues, one of the topics covered in the news last year outnumbered others. It’s inflation.
This is according to data from the American Psychiatric Association’s Healthy Mind Monthly Poll, which includes questions about how Americans feel about trending current events lists each month from June through December. was Each poll was conducted online by Morning Consult to her group of over 2,000 American adults.
Latest Events Arousing Worry
When asked if they felt somewhat or very anxious about each of the eight current events in the series, respondents ranked these as their biggest concerns.
- Inflation: Consistently selected by 4 out of 5 Americans (79% in lowest month, 87% in highest month)
- Recession: Consistently picked by 3 out of 4 Americans since July (started lowest in June at 49%, but jumped to 77% in July to stay at the top).
- Gun Violence: Consistently Selected by Two-thirds of Americans (65% Low, 70% High)
Other issues Americans rated as anxiety-provoking in this year’s polls were the war between Russia and Ukraine (56% minimum, 63% maximum), climate change (52% minimum, 60% maximum) and reproductive rights. It was in the future (lowest 48%, highest 60%). 56%) and midterm elections (47% minimum, 56% maximum). In December, the issue of hate speech and hate crimes was added, with 61% of Americans expressing concern.
Continued anxiety among Americans about COVID-19 has decreased in recent months. Only in August did the majority of Americans (54%) report feeling somewhat or very anxious about the pandemic. As we approach the end of 2023, only 45% reported feeling anxious about COVID-19.
Black and Hispanic Perspectives
Both African Americans and Hispanic Americans cite issues of inflation, economic recession and gun violence as the top three causes of anxiety.
But on some issues, these groups’ opinions differed from those held by American adults as a whole. The black community ranked several issues as higher causes of anxiety.
- Climate change (minimum 52%, maximum 69%).
- The future of reproductive rights (minimum 46%, maximum 67%).
- COVID-19 (minimum 47% to maximum 69%).
Hispanic Americans also rated climate change (55% lowest to 76% highest) as a greater source of anxiety than all adults. Black and Hispanic American views of hate crimes also differed from adults overall, with 68% of Black Americans and 55% of Hispanic Americans expressing concern about the issue.
What to do if you are worried about current events
Many Americans report coping with anxiety over current events by taking breaks from news consumption and social media, talking to family and friends, and taking action when feasible. doing.
“Americans are dealing with many stressors at the same time,” said APA President Rebecca W. Brendel, MD, JD. It’s causing so much stress for Americans as they struggle to make ends meet. ”
“These six-month polls on current events have helped us understand and communicate the stress points that continue to affect Americans,” said Saul Levin, CEO and Medical Director of the APA. MD, MPA said. Those affected will know that they are not alone and that help is available. ”
Courtesy of the American Psychiatric Association
Quote: Inflation and recession are the top current anxiety-inducing events surveyed since June (10 January 2023). events.html
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