Nearly half of the readers of a leading Chinese national
newspaper profess to feeling more stressed than five years ago as
the country's fast-paced industrialization brings greater social
pressures.
A survey by China Youth Daily polled 2,134 readers,
including 1,770 on-line, and found that 47.8 percent felt more
worried in their daily life than five years ago. Just under 32
percent said they had not experienced any change and 12 percent
said they felt less stressed as their living conditions had
improved.
According to the survey, college students panic about
job-hunting, white collar workers are tired of working overtime and
migrant workers fear they might not be able to afford a ticket to
go back home during the Spring Festival.
The majority of respondents are most concerned with employment
and education pressures and nearly one third feel stressed because
they feel their lives lack direction.
The newspaper cited the example of Chen Fan. She has a
comfortable family background and married a well-paid husband. But
she was so worried that she would be left feeling washed out by the
fast-developing society, she chose to quit her job and stay at
home.
The survey also said 64.6 percent believed they could shake off
the stress by pursuing something spiritual. However, conversely, a
steady life, a well-developed social insurance system and abundant
wealth are all considered as guarantees to free people from their
worries, according to the survey.
The survey also found that people with high education, the poor
and government officials were the most likely sectors of society to
suffer from stress.
(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2006)