Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – A smaller percentage of Generation Z is thriving compared to Millennials of the same age, and Generation Z is much less likely to describe their mental health as “excellent,” according to a new study.
A report issued by Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation (WFF) stated the following: “Less than half of Americans (47%) from Generation Z thrive in their lives, and they are one of the groups with the lowest rates of all generations in the United States today.” “And they have a much lower rate than millennials of the same age.”
The study published Thursday aims to amplify the voices of Generation Z on the key issues facing this generation. The researchers surveyed more than 3,000 people between the ages of 12 and 26 in April and May of this year.
The study emphasized: “Decisions that affect public policies, learning environments, and workplaces should take into account the perspectives of Generation Z (not those around them), the challenges they face, and the solutions that best fit their unique needs.”
Participants were asked to rate how they saw their current and future lives, and were classified as thriving if they gave high ratings in both categories.
According to the study, only 41% of Generation Z members between the ages of 18 and 26 are thriving, while millennials of the same age are thriving at a rate of approximately 60%.
But one thing is important to keep in mind: generational research is controversial.
Some scholars believe that classifying generations is harmful and unscientific.
Researchers point to evidence of differences in mental health struggles among Generation Z.
Compared to today’s older generations, the Gallup and WFF study found that members of Generation Z are more likely to report negative feelings such as stress, anxiety, and loneliness.
The researchers also reported that they found “evidence that the mental health struggles reported by Generation Z differ from those experienced by previous generations at the same age.” When asked to describe their current mental health or well-being, only 15% of Gen Zers aged 18-26 said it was excellent.
The study found that this was a sharp decline from a decade ago, when 52% of millennials in the same age group reported that their mental health was excellent.
In 2004, 55% of people between the ages of 18 and 26 (including members of Millennials and Generation X) reported excellent mental health.
What is the reason behind this significant decline? Researchers believe that the general decline in mental health over the past decade may be partly responsible.
This is not the first research to highlight the mental health problems of Generation Z.
Earlier this year, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that poor mental health remains a “huge public health problem” for adolescents, especially among teenage girls.
Optimism is another characteristic of Generation Z.
But the picture that Generation Z members paint of their lives is far from negative.
According to the study, more than three-quarters of people from Generation Z agree that they have a great future ahead of them.
“There is persistent optimism in the face of this generation’s mental health struggles,” the study stated.
Despite this optimism, the study also indicates that less than half of Generation Z members feel prepared for the future.
The researchers said this study is their first report on this nationally representative group, but it will not be their last.
They plan to continue surveying members of Generation Z to provide more data to policymakers.
2023-09-14 08:35:19
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