APA Survey: Most Americans Accept Chronic Stress, Nearly Half Withdraw Socially

The survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll for the APA among 3,132 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. It ran from July 29 to August 24, 2026. It also included extra samples of Black, Latino/a/e and Asian adults. The findings are self-reported opinions from one survey, not measurements of health.

Money and the national outlook were the two stressors the APA highlighted. According to the APA, 77% of adults cited the cost of living as a significant source of stress, including rent or mortgage, groceries and childcare. Another 74% cited the future of the nation.

The more striking finding is how people have come to see that stress. About 72% agreed with the statement "stress is just something I have to live with." The same share (72%) said bad news no longer shocks them the way it used to. And 68% said they have become accustomed to living with uncertainty.

APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., Ph.D., drew a line between getting used to stress and coping well with it. "Becoming accustomed to chronic stress is not the same as adapting to it in a healthy way," he said. He added that chronic stress can take a serious toll on physical and psychological well-being.

The survey did not test how to tell the two apart. But its results show what accepting stress can look like in daily life. Nearly half of respondents (47%) said they had pulled back from at least one form of social engagement over the past year because of stress, uncertainty or feeling overwhelmed. Nearly three in five (59%) felt they were doing everything "right" but still falling behind. More than half (56%) said they had lowered their expectations for what they could achieve in life.

Some people may also be changing where they turn for support. Among surveyed AI users, 49% said they had conversations with AI as a friend, and 47% said they used it in a role comparable to a mental health professional. One in 10 said they relied on AI more than friends and family for advice.

Evans cautioned against reading too much into that convenience. "Accessibility, however, should not be confused with expertise," he said. In his view, AI tools may play a supportive role. But they cannot replace the clinical judgment of a psychologist or other qualified mental health professional, or the human connection of family and friends.

There are limits to what this survey can say. It captures what people reported at one point in time. It does not show whether stress led to withdrawal or the reverse. It does not link either to health outcomes such as illness or lifespan. The Carrier Management report does not describe how respondents defined social withdrawal or what kinds of activities they dropped.

For you

For readers interested in healthspan, the survey raises a question rather than answering it. When stress feels normal, does it stop being noticed? The APA's position, as stated by Evans, is that healthy coping strategies, meaningful connections and accessible support can help protect health, relationships and the ability to pursue goals, even when stressful circumstances persist.

What to watch next

Whether future Stress in America surveys show the share of adults who accept stress and pull back from others rising or falling, and whether researchers test how those habits relate to long-term health.

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