Cantabrians report quake stress

Photo / Star Canterbury

Nearly 80 per cent of Cantabrians have reported suffering from stress related to this month's massive earthquake, a poll has found.

Of the 378 Canterbury residents surveyed by HorizonPoll, 26 per cent described their level of hardship as "stressful" following the magnitude 7.1 September 4 quake.

Ten per cent described their situation as "very stressful" and 41 per cent as "slightly stressful".

The poll found that people on lower incomes, in households occupied by extended families and single parents with two or more children were the most stressed, while single people flatting or boarding were the least stressed.

All groups earning less than $70,000 a year reported considerable stress.

One per cent of respondents said they would leave the region because of the quake, while another nine per cent said they were not sure if they would move away.

Six per cent said they were still not living in their homes following the quake, with half of those people saying they would not be living in their homes again.

The poll covered Christchurch, Waimakariri and Ashburton council areas and was conducted between last Thursday and Sunday.

- NZPA