U.S. Workers Report Increased Stress and Negative Mental Health Impact from Work Environment
A recent survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), the 2026 Work in America survey, reveals a significant increase in U.S. workers who believe their work environment negatively impacts their mental health. Nearly two in five workers (37%) reported this negative impact, up from 32% in 2025. The survey also found that 48% of U.S. workers typically feel tense or stressed during their workday. This stress is particularly pronounced among workers with low psychological capital, with 55% reporting feeling tense or stressed, compared to 38% of those with high psychological capital. Furthermore, 47% of workers with low psychological capital stated their work environment negatively affected their mental health, in contrast to 24% of those with high psychological capital. The research indicates that psychological capital, which includes hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism, plays a crucial role in how workers cope with challenging situations.
