Americans 'stressed, miserable'

2005-12-28 22:44

Washington - New Year is supposed to be a time of hope and fresh starts - but more and more Americans seem to be stressed out, miserable and depressed, according to two new opinion polls.

One long-term survey showed that personal misery among Americans was at its highest levels since the early 1990s, with people saddled with woes about health care, unemployment, paying bills and romance.

The University of Chicago survey published on Wednesday found people reporting at least one significant "negative life event" jumped from 88% to 92% since 1991.

Healthcare insurance coverage

Eleven percent of 1 340 respondents reported being unable to afford needed medical care, compared with seven percent in 1991, and 18% said they had no healthcare insurance coverage - up from 12% in the early 1990s.

Some 15% of people surveyed said they had been unemployed for a month, four points higher than in 1991.

The survey, part of a broader study of American society conducted by the university every two years, found that troubles were greatest among those with low income, poor education levels and among unmarried mothers.

Economic progress

Another snapshot of American life published this week suggested that as 2006 dawned, Americans were under more stress than a year ago.

Fifty-six percent of those surveyed said they had experienced more stress in 2005 than in 2004, as hurricanes ravaged the Gulf Coast, fuel prices climbed and economic progress seemed not to filter down to many Americans.

The independent survey, conducted for Brookstone Inc, a retail firm that specialises in stress relieving methods like massage products, also found that 75% of people promised to take better care of their health in 2006.

The survey was conducted among 1 000 people aged over 18 during December.

- AFP