They have been dubbed ‘snowflakes’ and thin-skinned, but now research shows Gen Z might really be more sensitive than previous generations.
Researchers from New Jersey‘s Montclair State University found that the group – currently aged 11 to 29 – perceives more dangers in common situations than their elders.
This is likely due to being inundated with information, regularly sharing on social media and an overwhelming amount of push notifications that scientists said is causing the group’s ‘current mental health crisis.’
The team also suggested that Gen Z views their surroundings as ‘black and white,’ believing spaces are either safe or dangerous, with little to no wiggle room to consider it may be a combination of the two.
Gen Z believes the world is more dangerous because of the rise of available news and information, the study showed
The study showed that recent events, including mass school shootings, the climate crisis, parental pressure, and social media, are contributing to Gen Z’s mental health crisis and their heightened risk-based assessment of the level of safety in their surroundings.
The new study appears to piggyback on the notion that Gen Z’s experiences cemented their perception of the world, viewing ‘risk as either the presence or absence of safety in a situation.’
At a round table discussion last year, academics came together to discuss whether the so-called ‘Snowflake Generation’ is more sensitive.
The round table discussion was not part of Rubin’s study.
Gen Z is dealing with Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), said Lucie Sara Zavodna, who organized the round table and is the study’s author, ‘Is the Snowflake Generation More Sensitive? Research from the Teaching of the New Generation.’
SPS means Gen Z processes stimuli and other information more deeply and intensely than previous generations, Zavodna said in a press release, which is affecting their well-being and quality of life and can lead to heightened anxiety and depression.
Zavodna conducted a ‘Highly Sensitive Person Scale’ questionnaire to 407 university students in the Czech Republic and found that 40 percent of men and 50 percent of women surveyed said they considered themselves more sensitive than their parents.
More studies need to be conducted to determine how Gen Z’s reaction and perception of their surroundings is affecting their mental health, but the SRA said research thus far ‘revealed that the disparity in risk assessment has led many young people to feel anxious, depressed and even suicidal – especially young girls and women.’
It has led to a rise in anxiety, depression, and even suicide in young people, the SRA press release notes, adding that there needs to be more messaging to Gen Zers that there is a gray area when it comes to risks and danger in everyday life.
‘Alleviating this crisis is one of the most challenging issues in America today,’ the press release said, adding: ‘This research suggests that young peoples’ inability to understand risk is a critical component of this crisis.’
The full results of the new study are being presented at the 2023 Society for Risk Analysis Annual Conference today.
Dailymail.com has reached out to SRA for comment.
This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
