Majority of British Columbians feeling worried, survey says

Does COVID-19 have you worried?

You’re not alone.

A new Insights West poll conducted recently with 817 B.C. residents shows that people are experiencing higher levels of worry, stress, boredom, anxiety and loneliness compared to before the pandemic.

According to Insights West 62 per cent of British Columbians are feeling more worried than usual — including 20 per cent who are “much more worried” and 42 per cent who are “a little more worried.”

Around 59 per cent of respondents are either much more stressed, while 21 per cent are a little more stressed.

Boredom is also an issue with 59 per cent reporting feeling more bored than ever before, while 32 per cent are a little more bored and 27 per cent are much more bored.

Anxiety levels are just as high, with 57 per cent of respondents feel more anxiety than usual, 40 per cent being a little more anxious and 17 per cent a lot more anxious.

Also, 43 per cent  are feeling more lonely, 27 per cent  are a little more lonely and 16 per cent ‘much more lonely’ than before.

Women have been experiencing these emotions at a significantly higher rate than men; on average, about 10 points higher (except for boredom, where both genders are about the same). Younger British Columbians are taking the brunt of these emotions.

For example, 73 per cent of British Columbians aged 18-34 are feeling more stress relative to a much lower 59 per cent of those aged 35-44, or 47 per cent of the over 55 group. It is also of significance to note that essential workers are much more likely to be feeling stress, worry and loneliness than those who are not working or who are working from home — numbers are anywhere from 10 points to 20 points higher for this group.

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