Americans Reporting Lowest Well-Being Levels Since Financial Crisis

(Mirror Daily, United States) – Last year, Americans experienced the lowest well-being levels since the financial crisis, a Gallup survey shows. In 2017, the perceived well-being of the dwellers of the strongest economy in the world took a sharp dive.

The poll shows that the sense of well-being dropped across 21 U.S. states. The Gallup metric tracks various factors including a sense of purpose, financial security, social relationships, and physical health.

The Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index shows that the sense of well-being slid to 61.5 from 62.1 in just one year. The drop is the lowest year-to-year decline since the early days of the Great Recession in 2009.

Americans reported similar low levels of well-being in 2009, when they were facing high jobless rates. Mysteriously, 2017 was as challenging as 2009 when it comes to living and working in America, despite the huge improvements seen at a macroeconomic level.

‘Emotional Anxiety’ Sky-High among Americans

Gallup researchers noted that Americans are affected by the same amount of “emotional anxiety” as they were in 2009. Many of them reported “significant worry on any given day”.

Study authors couldn’t explain the disconnect between the respondents’ negative attitude toward life and the strong economic conditions last year. Most troubles, however, are emotional and psychological.

Americans scored the lowest at their perceived ability of achieving goals and connecting with their friends and family members. The financial security was not that of a big issue. Also, fewer Americans said they were smoking or obese, but more of them reported emotional pain and headaches.

This situation could fuel depression and anxiety which could lead to a spike in hospitalizations especially among people with chronic conditions like diabetes. This could add a heavy burden to the U.S. healthcare system, experts believe, unless the sufferers have a strong peer support.
Image Source: Wikimedia

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John Birks

John holds a diploma in journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He covers the technology, social media, green business, eco-travel, politics, arts culture.