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Research survey

Economic Strain & Mental Health

How does financial strain affect mental health, and does this effect differ across demographic groups?

This survey is completely anonymous — we do not collect names, emails, IP addresses, or any identifying information. It takes about 5–7 minutes. Your responses will be used for academic research on the relationship between financial stress and mental well-being. You may skip any question or stop at any time.

0 of 19 answered — skip anything you'd rather not answer.

Section 1 · Demographics

Only what we'll actually analyze — kept minimal to protect your privacy.

1. What is your age range?
2. What is your current employment status?
3. What is your approximate annual household income?
4. How many people (including yourself) depend on this household income?

Section 2 · Financial Strain

Rate your agreement, 1 (Strongly Disagree) – 5 (Strongly Agree).

5. I have difficulty paying for basic necessities (food, housing, utilities) some months.

1 = Strongly Disagree · 5 = Strongly Agree

6. I worry about money on a daily or near-daily basis.

1 = Strongly Disagree · 5 = Strongly Agree

7. I have had to cut back on healthcare, therapy, or medication due to cost in the past year.

1 = Strongly Disagree · 5 = Strongly Agree

8. I feel like my financial situation is unstable or unpredictable.

1 = Strongly Disagree · 5 = Strongly Agree

9. I have less than one month of expenses saved for an emergency.

1 = Strongly Disagree · 5 = Strongly Agree

10. In the past 6 months, have you experienced any of the following? (select all that apply)

Section 3 · Mental Health

A brief, well-validated screener. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following? (0 = Not at all, 1 = Several days, 2 = More than half the days, 3 = Nearly every day)

11. Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge

0 = Not at all · 1 = Several days · 2 = More than half the days · 3 = Nearly every day

12. Not being able to stop or control worrying

0 = Not at all · 1 = Several days · 2 = More than half the days · 3 = Nearly every day

13. Little interest or pleasure in doing things

0 = Not at all · 1 = Several days · 2 = More than half the days · 3 = Nearly every day

14. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless

0 = Not at all · 1 = Several days · 2 = More than half the days · 3 = Nearly every day

15. Compared to a year ago, would you say your overall mental health is:

Section 4 · Connecting the two

16. On a scale of 1–10, how much do you feel your financial situation affects your mental health?

1 = Not at all · 10 = Extremely

17. Which financial stressor affects your mental health the most? (select one)
18. Has financial stress ever affected your sleep, relationships, or ability to concentrate at work/school?

Section 5 · In your own words (optional)

$100 gift card draw (optional)

How this works

  • The survey is anonymous: answers are never linked to your journal, check-ins, or name.
  • Answers are used only in aggregate for academic research and to improve Mindcast.
  • Entering the draw is optional. You can submit the survey without entering.
  • If you enter, one email address is stored separately from your answers, used only to contact a winner, and deleted after the draw.
  • One entry per person. Open to people 18 and older. No purchase or donation required.
  • A winner is drawn at the end of each quarter and notified by email within 14 days.
No name, no account, no tracking of who you are.