Nearly half of the readers of a leading Chinese national newspaper profess to feeling more stressed than five years ago as the country's fast-paced industrialization brings greater social pressures.

A survey by China Youth Daily polled 2,134 readers, including 1,770 on-line, and found that 47.8 percent felt more worried in their daily life than five years ago. Just under 32 percent said they had not experienced any change and 12 percent said they felt less stressed as their living conditions had improved.

According to the survey, college students panic about job-hunting, white collar workers are tired of working overtime and migrant workers fear they might not be able to afford a ticket to go back home during the Spring Festival.

The majority of respondents are most concerned with employment and education pressures and nearly one third feel stressed because they feel their lives lack direction.

The newspaper cited the example of Chen Fan. She has a comfortable family background and married a well-paid husband. But she was so worried that she would be left feeling washed out by the fast-developing society, she chose to quit her job and stay at home.

The survey also said 64.6 percent believed they could shake off the stress by pursuing something spiritual. However, conversely, a steady life, a well-developed social insurance system and abundant wealth are all considered as guarantees to free people from their worries, according to the survey.

The survey also found that people with high education, the poor and government officials were the most likely sectors of society to suffer from stress.

(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2006)