Six in ten millennials are suffering from a “quarter-life crisis,” according to a new poll of 2,000 people between the ages of 25 and 35-years-old. The results of the study found that 56 percent of the respondents are struggling to cope with financial, career and personal pressures.
53 percent of these same young adults say they are finding it difficult to make ends meet, and a third reveal their current living situation has led to feelings of despair.
While 28 percent are coping with the shock of a challenging job, simply trying to find a job has stressed out 23 percent of those polled. Other facts contributing to the “quarter-life crisis” include attempting to buying one’s first house and the lack of a romantic relationship.
These issues have led the average millennial to say they have felt like they were at rock bottom for over six months as they struggle to sort their lives out. However, 50 percent are choosing to believe their personal difficulties now will be a catalyst for positive changes in their future.
first direct, which carried out the study, has teamed up with psychologist, Dr. Oliver Robinson, Quarter-Life Crisis Expert and Senior Lecturer for Psychology in the Department of Psychology, Social Work & Counseling at the University of Greenwich, to look at how people can use a crisis as a spark for change.
Dr. Robinson, who focuses on how identity, well-being and mental health are affected by major life transitions, crises and ageing processes during adulthood, says, “There’s two sides to a quarter-life crisis. They’re often feared as periods of difficulty and distress, but in my experience they can also be times of openness, curiosity and growth. People may find old habits and coping mechanisms no longer help in the way they used to, and this can act as a spur to explore new ideas, new activities and new ways of overcoming life’s challenges.”
Interestingly, when asked to describe how they’ve been feeling over the past six months, “anxious,” “frustrated,” “confused” and “sad” were among the most common descriptions millennials used, while only 27 percent said “optimistic.”
The study also found that 18 percent of young adults aren’t coping well with the fact their relationship with their parents is difficult, and similarly 25 percent say their romantic relationship is hard work.
