It is no surprise to learn that the poor face greater stresses than the rich. The insight from this new study is that the greater the inequality, the greater the stress. Areas with high inequality also have low mobility. Social and economic mobility create opportunity and a greater possibility of a positive future. A less positive future creates worries and anxieties. So, the higher the inequality the higher the stress. Areas with low inequality also tend to have broader social networks where support is available because there are more people along the continuum of wealth, so each step is easier to take because each step is smaller.
(Click on the map for the link.)
“Stress, Worry, and Social Support” – Brookings
Pretending Not To Panic 