Stress and loneliness on the job: Who’s most at risk?

Washington — Younger workers report feeling lonely and stressed more often than their older colleagues, results of a recent survey show.

On behalf of the American Psychological Association, researchers from the Harris Poll surveyed more than 2,000 working adults in the United States.

Around 45% of the workers ages 18-25 said they feel lonely on the job, compared with 33% of those 26-43, 22% of those 44-57, 15% of those 58-64 and 14% of those 65 and older.

When it comes to feelings of stress or tension, a similar pattern emerged. Around half of those in the 18-25 (48%) and 26-43 (51%) age groups felt this way. By comparison, that percentage was 42 for the 44-57 age group and 30 for the 65-plus group.

“With more workers retiring later in life, the demographics of the workplace are changing, and younger workers seem to be having the hardest time adjusting,” APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr. said in a press release. “At the same time, with increased remote work and the use of new technologies like AI, younger and older workers alike are facing a paradigm shift around where and how we work.

“To remain competitive, employers should invest in strategies that support their workers’ well-being and mental health to help them navigate these new norms and an evolving professional landscape.”