Now science shows they really are snowflakes! Gen Z perceives more dangers in life than previous generations, study reveals

They've been called “snowflakes” and have thin skin, but research is now showing that Generation Z may be more sensitive than previous generations.

Researchers from Montclair State University in New Jersey found that the group – currently between the ages of 11 and 29 – perceived risks in common situations more than older adults.

This is likely due to the inundation of information, regular sharing on social media and the overwhelming amount of notifications which scientists said is causing the group's “current mental health crisis”.

The team also suggested that Generation Z views their surroundings as “black and white,” believing spaces to be either safe or dangerous, with little or no wiggle room to consider that they may be a combination of both.

The study showed that recent events, including mass school shootings, the climate crisis, parental pressure, and social media, are contributing to Generation Z's mental health crisis and their heightened risk-based assessment of the level of safety in their surroundings.

The new study appears to be based on the idea that Generation Z's experiences have enhanced their perception of the world, as they view “risk as either the presence or absence of safety in a situation.”

In a roundtable discussion last year, academics came together to discuss whether the so-called “snowflake generation” is more sensitive.

The roundtable discussion was not part of Rubin's study.

Gen Z is dealing with Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), said Lucy Sarah Zavodna, who organized the roundtable and was an author of the study. “Are the Snowflake Generation more sensitive?” Research on teaching the new generation.

SPS means Generation Z processes stimuli and other information more deeply and intensely than previous generations, which affects their well-being and quality of life and can lead to increased anxiety and depression, Zavodna said in a press release.

Zavodna conducted a survey called the “Highly Sensitive People Scale” on 407 university students in the Czech Republic and found that 40% of the men and 50% of the women surveyed said they considered themselves to be more sensitive than their parents.

More studies are needed to determine how Generation Z's reaction to and perception of their surroundings affects their mental health, but the SRA said research to date “revealed that disparities in risk assessment have led to many young people feeling anxious, depressed and even suicidal – especially girls and women.” Little girls.

This has led to higher rates of anxiety, depression and even suicide among young people, the SRA press release notes, adding that there needs to be more messaging to Generation Z that there is a gray area when it comes to risks and dangers every day. life.

“Alleviating this crisis is one of the most challenging issues in America today,” the press release said, adding: “This research suggests that young people’s inability to understand risk is a critical component of this crisis.”

The full results of the new study are presented at the 2023 Society for Risk Analysis Annual Conference today.

Dailymail.com has contacted the SRA for comment.