WHAT WORRIES AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL SURVEY RESULTS

AUSTRALIANS spend more time worrying about work than war, the environment, politics or any other broader issue.
 

In the first major study of the everyday worries of Australians, researchers from Macquarie University's Centre for Emotional Health found ''future career'' concerns created the greatest anxiety for both men and women, while fear about ''the future'' and ''achievements'' also ranked in the top five.

People were asked in an online survey (What Worries Australia Survey) about their level of worry across categories including health, society, work and relationships. More than 60 per cent of the 791 women said work and study worried them ''moderately'' to ''a lot''. The figures were slightly higher for the 287 men who responded, at about 70 per cent.

Of respondents under 30, more than 80 per cent worried about work and study moderately to a lot and about a third said it affected sleep, mood and physical health. When quality of life was affected,  Centre for Emotional Health's A/Professor Jennie Hudson said, anxiety became a disorder, leading her to believe clinical anxiety was under-diagnosed.

Top five worries
Total (combined male and female)
1. My Future Career
2. My Achievements and The Future (tied)
4. What people thought of me
5. Doing well at work or school

Females
1. My Future Career
2. The Future
3. My Weight
4. My Achievements
5. What people thought of me
 
Male
1. My Future Career
2. My Achievements
3. The Future
4. What people thought of me
5. Doing well at Work or School

How did you score?
The average score was 46.86 (total worries).  
If you scored 82 or more, you reported more 'worries' than 90% of people surveyed.
If you scored 69,  you reported more 'worries' than 80% of people surveyed.
If you scored 60,  you reported more 'worries' than 70% of people surveyed.
If you scored 52,  you reported more 'worries' than 60%of people surveyed.
If you scored 44, you reported more 'worries' than 50% of people surveyed.
If you scored 36, you reported less 'worries' than 60% of people surveyed.
If you scored 30,  you reported less 'worries' than 70% of people surveyed.
If you scored 24, you reported less 'worries' than 80% of people surveyed.
If you scored 16 or less, you reported less 'worries than 90% of the people surveyed.

Read the full results here

---

Centre for Emotional Health, changing lives

The Centre for Emotional Health (CEH) conducts specialist clinical research aimed at furthering the understanding of child and adult emotional disorders, as well as continually improving methods of treatment. It is a Macquarie University centre for research excellence.

The Centre is currently under the directorship of Professor Ron Rapee, who has been a leading researcher in the field of child and adult anxiety for over 20 years.

---

Creating healthier and happier communities

Through research,

CEH researchers concentrate on the understanding, treatment and prevention of anxiety, depression and related mental health problems. Internationally renowned for our research into anxiety, including several “world first” findings, we have a special focus on children and families.

 

Training …

Along with our research and treatment programs, CEH provides practical training and support to health care workers, psychologists and school counsellors, from trainees to experienced professionals.

 

...and treatment

The Centre’s Emotional Health Clinic (EHC) uses the latest knowledge of science and practice to provide treatments and support to children, adolescents and adults. Treatments are based on evidence gathered over years of scientific research. They are practical, effective and applicable to real life situations.

 

Formerly Macquarie University Anxiety Research Unit (MUARU).