Is there a relationship between vacation and ones mental health. The survey findings by Allianz Global Assistance US, would want you to believe so. According to one of their research study – a survey of about 1000 plus from a sample of Americans shows that people suffering from a “vacation deficit” are about two times as likely to show signs of moderate to server depression compared to their national average.
This is according to the 10th annual Allianz Global Assistance Vacation Confidence Index. “Vacation deficit” identifies those who think that a vacation is important but are not confident they will take one this year.
“Vacation Deficit Disorder,” or the relationship between a lack of vacation and depression and vice versa, was identified by international polling experts Ipsos, which administered the PHQ-9 survey, a clinically validated screening questionnaire to test likely levels of depression, to a statistically significant sampling of American travelers.
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Allianz from June 1 for 4, 2017. For the survey, a nationally representative sample of 1,009 randomly-selected adults residing in the U.S. was interviewed.
- Almost one-third (30.4 percent) of Americans with a vacation deficit demonstrate symptoms of mild to moderate depression.
- 12 percent would be considered to be suffering signs of moderately severe to severe depression.
Meanwhile, of the general population, those identified as displaying signs of moderately severe or severe depression are significantly less likely to have taken a vacation in the past two years, and are less likely to take a vacation in 2018.
“While we have long known that Americans under utilize their vacation time, this shows the real consequences this can have for their health and well-being,” said Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz Global Assistance USA. “While this research shows a relationship between the lack of vacation and signs of clinical depression, more comprehensive work is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of not taking a vacation on the mental health of Americans.”
The results suggest that there could be a link for those with more severe symptoms of depression and their propensity to take a vacation, despite being more insistent on its importance.
The data showed the following among those who were identified as potentially having moderately severe or severe depression:
| Vacation Deficit Disorder | ||
| Vacation Confidence | Showing Signs of Moderately Severe or Severe Depression | National Average |
| An annual vacation is very important | 40% | 31% |
| Very confident in taking a summer vacation | 24% | 32% |
| Typically get a summer vacation | 39% | 46% |
| Did not take a 2017 summer vacation | 62% | 47% |
| Last vacation was more than two years ago | 56% | 38% |
| Very confident in taking a vacation in 2018 at any point | 23% | 35% |
Among the 58% of Americans who say it’s important that they get a vacation each year, 67% are confident that they’ll get one. This leaves a vacation deficit of 21% of Americans who find annual vacations important but aren’t confident they’ll take one in the next 12 months – unchanged since last year—while one in ten (11%) have already taken one.
Highlights from the survey findings are presented in this video.
SOURCE Allianz Global Assistance USA
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