10
Nov
2014
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The Australian Psychological Society
For the third year, the Australian Psychological Society – representing more than 21,000 members around Australia – commissioned a survey to examine the stress and wellbeing of Australian adults (aged 18 and over) across the nation. This year the survey included a special focus on working Australians.
Key survey findings
- In 2013, Australians reported significantly lower levels of wellbeing and significantly higher levels of stress and distress than in 2012 and 2011.
- Almost three-quarters of Australians (73%) reported that stress was having at least some impact with almost one in five (17%) reporting that stress was having a strong to very strong impact on their physical health.
- In 2013, significantly more Australians (65% 2013 vs. 60% 2012) reported that current stress was affecting their mental health, with one in five people reporting it had a strong to very strong impact on their mental health.
- One in four (24%) Australians reported mental health issues as a source of stress.
- Significantly more Australians reported visiting social networking sites, eating or sleeping more to manage stress than in previous years.
- Finances, family and health issues continued to rank as the top causes of stress for Australians.
- Working Australians reported significantly lower overall workplace wellbeing in 2013 compared with findings in previous years.
- Working Australians reported significantly lower levels of job satisfaction and significantly lower levels of interest in their jobs than in the previous two years.
- Generally, working women were significantly more likely than working men to report that they felt valued and supported to do their job.
- Women were significantly more likely than men to report being involved in their job.