1 in 4 Pinoys are frequently stressed – SWS survey

One out of four Filipino adults frequently experienced stress in their everyday lives, a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed.

The results of the SWS survey, taken from December 13-16, 2019, revealed that 27% of adult Filipinos frequently experienced stress, 37% sometimes did, 34% rarely did, and 2% never did.

However, the percentage of adult Filipinos who said they experienced stress frequently in the December 2019 survey was lower than those who gave a similar response in the survey conducted in March 2017, which was at 32%.

The March 2017 survey also showed that 32% of adult Filipinos experienced stress sometimes, 33% rarely did, and 2% never did.

The SWS said in the December 2019 survey that 39% of adult Filipinos said their lives had improved in the last 12 months (Gainers), while 39% said it was the same, and 21% said it worsened (Losers).

Stress was more frequent at 33% among the Losers, the survey said, compared to 26% among those whose lives stayed the same, and 24% among the Gainers.

The survey also showed that 48% of adult Filipinos expect their quality of life to improve in the next 12 months (Optimists), while 41% expected it would stay the same, and 4% expected it to get worse (Pessimists).

Predictably, stress was more frequent at 33% among the Pessimists, compared to 25% among those who said their lives would stay the same, and 26% among the Optimists.

Moreover, the survey revealed that stress was more frequent in Metro Manila, at 35%, as compared to the 28% in both Balance Luzon and the Visayas, and 18% in Mindanao.

Filipino adults in urban areas also experience stress more frequently, at 31%, than those in rural areas, at 23%.

In terms of sex, women experienced stress more frequently at 33% than men at 20%.

Filipino adults aged 35-44 years old also experienced stress more frequently, at 36%, than the 25% among 45-54 year olds, and the 24% each among 18-24 year olds, 25-34 year olds, and those 55 years old and above.

When it comes to socio-economic class, stress was more frequent at 30% in class E, compared to the 26% in class D, and the 22% in class ABC.

Stress was also more frequent at 29% among elementary graduates, than 27% among high school graduates, and 24% each among college graduates and those with no formal education.

The survey was participated by 1,200 adults aged 18 years and above nationwide, with 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

It had a sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. — DVM, GMA News