Greater proportion of Americans say mental health and social life have worsened vs. gotten better compared to before the pandemic

Washington, DC, May 12, 2021 — A new Parade Media/Cleveland Clinic/Ipsos poll finds that though half of Americans surveyed do not see a change in their mental/emotional health (53%) today compared to when the pandemic first began a year ago (March 2020), among those who have noticed a change, a greater proportion are likely to say it has gotten worse (29%) than to say it has gotten better (18%). The pandemic is seen to have had an even greater impact on peoples’ social lives, with 45% saying theirs is worse today compared to before the pandemic, versus only 15% who see an improvement and 41% who see no change. Despite these findings, most (81%) say that they are optimistic about the future and only 27% agree that they have less confidence in their resilience in challenging times compared to before the pandemic (vs. 73% who disagree). The Healthy Now 2021 Practicing Prevention Survey seeks to measure how well Americans are taking care of their whole selves—physically, emotionally and spiritually—on a day to day basis. This national survey of 1,000 adults goes beyond simple questions around diet and physical activity to measure how they keep healthy living top of mind, the strength and depth of their relationships, their passions and hobbies and their mindset when they face challenges in their lives.

Detailed Findings

Eight in ten Americans describe their health as excellent/good (81%) compared to only 19% who say it is fair/poor. Those in lower income households (30% of those earning less than $50,000 annually), those with no children living at home (21%), and those with no college degree (23%), are more inclined to rate their health and well-being as fair/poor.

• The vast majority also hold a positive outlook on life, with eight in ten saying they are optimistic about the future (81%) and feeling as though they have a purpose in life (78%). In contrast, fewer agree that they get angry easily (32%) and 28% say that at the end of the day, they usually feel like more bad things have happened than good.
• Additionally, nine in ten believe that the harder they work at something, the better at it they can be (92%) and a similar proportion say that when they make a mistake, they learn from it and move on (91%). However, nearly six in ten admit that sometimes when they make a mistake, they can't stop thinking about it even when it's out of their control (57%).
• Americans are split when it comes to receiving feedback and criticism, with 48% saying that this makes them defensive, compared to 52% who disagree.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on many peoples’ outlook on life, with 61% saying it has made them re-evaluate how they spend their time, just over half saying it has made them re-evaluate their life goals (51%) – and 53% who agree it has changed their way of life forever.
• One in four (27%) agree that they have less confidence in their own resilience in challenging times compared to before the pandemic – compared to 73% who disagree with this statement. Men (32%), those under the age of 35 (41%), and parents (39%) are among those most likely to say confidence in their own resilience has declined since the start of the pandemic.

More than eight in ten say that they have a primary healthcare provider (85%), with 83% also saying that they have a usual place to go for medical care. Most report having a positive relationship with their physician, including roughly nine in ten who say their primary healthcare provider listens and supports them (93%) and knows them and their health history (87%). The vast majority also report feeling comfortable asking their healthcare provider questions when they don't understand something (94%) and confiding in them about sensitive health issues (90%).

• Healthcare providers stand out as being the most turned to source for health information (62%), well ahead of healthcare organizations' websites (35%), television news (18%), and news website apps (18%) which round out the top responses. Other mentions fall below this threshold.
• More than half feel safer seeking regular medical care today (annual appointments, health screenings, etc.) than they did six months ago (57%). However, 37% say that they have delayed regular medical care within the past year due to safety concerns.
• When it comes to knowing their numbers, most Americans say that they know their family history (74%), blood type (58%), waist size (58%), and last blood pressure reading (57%). However, knowledge starts to drop when it comes to last blood cholesterol level reading (45%), BMI (40%), and last blood sugar reading (38%), where more than half don’t know.

Turning to diet, most Americans agree that they make a conscious effort to try to eat more vegetables (81%), and two thirds say that when they snack, they try to choose healthy foods (66%). In fact, 81% say that they eat green vegetables at least twice a week, including nearly half (46%) who say they eat these at least once a day. Sizeable proportions (72%) also report eating fruit at least twice a week, with 44% doing so at least once daily. However, one in ten report that they eat leafy greens (10%)/fruits (15%) only a few times a month or less.

• While plant-based foods have been gaining traction in recent years, just over half of Americans believe that a meal isn't satisfying unless it contains meat (52%). Two in five (40%) say that they eat processed/cured meats (bacon, sausage, ham, salami) at least twice a week, including more than one in ten who eat this daily (13%). Fewer (22%) eat salmon, tuna or other fish (not fried) a few times a week or more.
• Seven in ten (69%) say that when they snack, they treat themselves to whatever they like. Nearly two thirds (64%) eat sweets several times throughout the week, including a third who eat sweets at least once a day (33%) – even though two in five (43%) report feeling guilty when they eat sweets. Just over half eat snacks straight from the box or bag (55%) several times a week, if not more, and 41% do the same thing when it comes to eating standing up or in front of the TV.
• Roughly two in three believe that fast food can be part of a healthy diet if eaten occasionally (69%) and that indulging in sweets can be part of a healthy diet also (63%).
• Two thirds report feeling guilty when they overeat (66%) - and snacking when stressed is the reality for more than half of Americans (57%). Women are most likely to agree with these statements. More than a third feel as though they need to exercise to earn their food (37%), especially men (43%), young adults (47% of those aged 18-34), those in the top income bracket (48% of those with a household income of $100,000+), and parents (49%).

When it comes to physical activity, more than two thirds of Americans admit that they often/sometimes sit for more than 6 hours per day (68%). However, just as many (68%) say that they make a point to take breaks every 30 minutes to get up and move around while sitting for long stretches. Two thirds also walk at least 30 minutes per day (66%).

• Roughly half often/sometimes schedule time for exercise (58%) and exercise to the point of being slightly out of breath (49%). Two in five switch up their exercise/activity/fitness routine regularly (43%), and a similar proportion say that they use a device to track their daily steps (44%) and/or do some kind of resistance/strength training (44%) on a regular basis.
• The majority of Americans can perform a range of physical tasks with ease. However, three in ten confirm that they find it difficult to touch their toes (31%) or go from sitting on the floor to standing (30%). One in five also have a hard time walking briskly (as if chasing a bus) (22%), standing on one leg without assistance (20%), getting up from a chair without using their arms for assistance (19%), and walking up a flight of stairs (18%).
• When describing their physical health today compared to before the pandemic first began around March 2020, most (52%) don’t see a significant change. However, one in five say that their physical health is better today compared to a year ago (22%) and 25% say it has gotten worse. Those most likely to say their physical health is worse today include women (28%), adults under the age of 35 (31%), the less affluent (29% of those with a household income less than $50,000), and those who are not married (32%).
• Two in five (42%) say that they have developed unhealthy habits during the pandemic (e.g., overeating, drinking, not exercising) – particularly young adults (59% of those aged 18-34), those living in the Northeast (50%), and those with children living at home (60%).

When it comes to one’s mental/emotional health, about half do not see a change (53%) when thinking about themselves today compared to when the pandemic first began a year ago (March 2020). However, among those who have noticed a change, a greater proportion are likely to say their mental/emotional health has gotten worse (29%) than say it has gotten better (18%).

• Those most likely to say they have experienced a decline in their emotional/mental health include women (33% vs. 24% of men), adults under the age of 35 (38% vs. 21% of those aged 55 and over), those in the lower income bracket (35% of those with a household income of less than $50,000 vs. 21% of those earning $100,000 or more), and those who are not married (38% vs. 22% of those who are married).
• One in two say that they have been feeling more stressed, anxious and/or depressed during the pandemic (50%), and 57% have had to take a break from the news and/or social media to help reduce stress and/or anxiety. These figures increase to two thirds among young adults (under the age of 35). Nearly half also say that they often feel angry, anxious or depressed after watching TV news (47%).
• A third say that they have sought or have considered seeking help from a doctor and/or therapist for emotional support during the pandemic (34%), with men (37%), those between the ages of 18-34 (58%), and parents with children living at home (47%) among those most likely to agree.

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the social lives of Americans, with 45% saying theirs is worse today compared to before the pandemic, versus only 15% who see an improvement and 41% who see no change. Despite this decline is people’s social lives, three quarters agree that they’ve had a strong social support system to help them get through the pandemic (73%).

• At least eight in ten Americans agree that they enjoy being with other people (82%) and that they have friends/family they can confide in (84%) and who they could call in the middle of the night if they needed them (80%).
• Three quarters say that even though quarantine was difficult, it has made them value their relationship with family, friends, neighbors and co-workers more (76%).
• However, two in five say that the pandemic has had a negative impact on their relationships with family and/or friends (40%). Another 38% report that they feel lonely and three in ten (30%) say they often feel left out, depressed or inadequate after using social media.
• Technology plays a huge role in how Americans interact, with two thirds agreeing that they spend more time emailing, messaging or texting with others than talking on the phone (68%) or meeting in real life (64%). When it comes to social media more specifically, six in ten turn to these platforms to communicate with friends and family through likes and comments (61%).
• While most (64%) say that they only use their phone to respond to something urgent when they are in the company of others, 42% admit that they often use their phone when in the company of others.
• More than a third say that they often go for a full day without speaking to anyone in real life or by phone (37%) – particularly those under the age of 35 (45%), those in the lower income bracket (47%), and those who are not married (46%).

About the Study

These are the findings from an Ipsos poll conducted April 5 - 6, 2021 on behalf of Parade Magazine. For the survey, a sample of 1,005 adults ages 18 and over from the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii was interviewed online in English.
The sample for this study was randomly drawn from Ipsos’ online panel (see link for more info on “Access Panels and Recruitment”), partner online panel sources, and “river” sampling (see link for more info on the Ipsos “Ampario Overview” sample method) and does not rely on a population frame in the traditional sense. Ipsos uses fixed sample targets, unique to each study, in drawing a sample. After a sample has been obtained from the Ipsos panel, Ipsos calibrates respondent characteristics to be representative of the U.S. Population using standard procedures such as raking-ratio adjustments. The source of these population targets is U.S. Census 2018 American Community Survey data. The sample drawn for this study reflects fixed sample targets on demographics. Posthoc weights were made to the population characteristics on gender, age, race/ethnicity, region, and education.  

Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online non-probability polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for all respondents. Ipsos calculates a design effect (DEFF) for each study based on the variation of the weights, following the formula of Kish (1965). This study had a credibility interval adjusted for design effect of the following (n=1,005, DEFF=1.5, adjusted Confidence Interval =  +/-5.0 percentage points for all respondents).

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Marie-Pierre Lemay
Director, US
Public Affairs
[email protected]

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