A survey by PapersOwl reveals that 62% of Gen Z struggle to prioritize mental health over achievements.
PapersOwl surveyed 2000 Gen Z people aged 18-35 across the U.S. to get their opinions about performance anxiety. This review is about what they’ve learned by analyzing the statistical data and opinion-based answers.
The Performance Anxiety Pandemic
Some 87% of Gen Z respondents confirm that performance anxiety is a widespread issue within their generation, with 23% stating a fear of judgment or criticism as a leading cause.
Key points include:
- 62% of respondents feel that their external achievements often outweigh their mental well-being.
- 66% of Gen Z experience physical symptoms of anxiety before or during every stressful situation (e.g., sweating, shaking, rapid heartbeat).
- 76% of Gen Z feel that anxiety levels would decrease if external validation were less emphasized.
- 2% of Gen Z state they don’t have anxiety at all.
Interestingly, anxiety levels fluctuate for many people throughout the year, with the most stress commonly reported during the summer (49%) and winter (52%) months. As the seasons change, external pressures like work, holidays, and social obligations can intensify feelings of anxiety.
Price of Perfection or Is Success Worth It
The obtained data also indicates that a substantial portion of respondents tend to prioritize external achievements over their mental well-being.
Oryna Shestakova, Head of Communications at PapersOwl, comments on this:
“The research says 62% agree with this statement to some extent, and 56% recognize pursuing goals might negatively affect their mental health. This suggests a growing awareness among individuals of the potential trade-offs between success and personal well-being, yet many continue to prioritize achievement despite these concerns. It highlights the societal pressure to achieve external milestones, often at the expense of maintaining a healthy mental state.”
Needless to say, a significant number of respondents often experience anxiety and pressure related to performance and tasks. Thus, 77% always or often feel nervous before significant events, exams, or presentations. No wonder 75% believe more should be done to reduce societal pressures on Gen Z. The need for external validation reflects the pervasive impact of social expectations on mental health.
Procrastination Generation: How GEN Z Juggles Obligation and Self-Growth
Obligations, care for family, and a yearning for self-growth motivate Gen Zers to complete tasks. On the other hand, the key factors that lead respondents to avoid tasks or responsibilities until the last minute are primarily a lack of motivation and feeling overwhelmed by the workload.
Ms. Shestakova shared:
“54% of Gen Z are skeptical about the existence of a working coping mechanism against anxiety. And yet, they still try to fight their anxiety with a variety of approaches, with 62% preferring physical activity and 42% practicing mindfulness.”
For the full research results, visit here.
A Few Words About PapersOwl
PapersOwl is a platform dedicated to empowering students with a variety of academic resources. It offers tools such as plagiarism checkers, thesis statement generators, personalized support, and professional writing and proofreading. PapersOwl is committed to helping students navigate their academic challenges with quality, originality, and timely delivery.
