El peso invisible de la deuda: Cómo las tarjetas de crédito afectan la salud mental
Una nueva encuesta de Debt.com revela el impacto emocional creciente del estrés financiero, incluso en un entorno de menor inflación
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – 11 de julio de 2025 /Noticias Newswire/ – Aunque la inflación ha bajado considerablemente en los últimos años (del 6.5% en 2022 al 2.3% actual), el impacto emocional del estrés financiero no ha seguido la misma tendencia. Según la más reciente encuesta anual de Debt.com sobre salud mental y finanzas, las emociones negativas vinculadas a las deudas han aumentado de forma preocupante entre 2022 y 2025.
El principal detonante parece ser la deuda acumulada en tarjetas de crédito. En 2020, poco más del 10% de los participantes confesaron que evitaban actividades sociales con amigos o familiares por culpa de sus deudas. Hoy, esa cifra ha subido a más del 23%.
El efecto también se extiende al terreno sentimental. Mientras que en 2022 solo el 5% decía evitar citas por tener deudas en sus tarjetas, actualmente más del 13% lo hace, revelando cómo el peso financiero afecta cada vez más la vida personal y emocional de los estadounidenses.
“La inflación ha bajado, pero el daño emocional ya está hecho,” afirma Howard Dvorkin, contador público y fundador de Debt.com. “Las tarjetas de crédito son la forma de deuda más común, y eso significa que muchas personas están cargando con el peso emocional que conlleva.”
La encuesta, realizada a 1,000 personas en EE. UU., muestra cómo el estrés financiero está afectando seriamente la salud mental de los consumidores:
Aumento de emociones negativas desde 2022
Personas que se sienten sin esperanza al revisar sus cuentas: del 6% en 2022 al 22% en 2025.
Sentimientos de tristeza: del 7% al 22%.
Personas que pierden el sueño por sus deudas: de apenas el 2.5% a más del 13%.
La mayoría asocia el uso de tarjetas de crédito con estrés y ansiedad
El 71%dice que la facilidad de usar tarjetas afecta su salud mental.
El 43%se siente estresado después de usarlas.
Casi el 40%evita revisar sus estados de cuenta por ansiedad.
El 25%admitió haber solicitado una tarjeta de crédito mientras se sentían tristes o estresados.
Pero las tarjetas de crédito no son el único problema. La inflación persistente y las deudas estudiantiles también están afectando la salud emocional.
El estrés por la inflación afecta el trabajo y la vida diaria
El 74% dice sentirse ansioso por los precios.
El 23% afirma que afecta su concentración en el trabajo.
El 7% reporta no poder comer por el estrés.
La deuda estudiantil genera miedo e incertidumbre
El 88% de quienes están en mora temen que les retengan el reembolso de impuestos o les embarguen el sueldo.
El 68% ha tomado medidas como inscribirse en planes de pago o ahorrar mensualmente.
Casi 1 de cada 4 debe más de $50,000 en préstamos estudiantiles.
“Nuestra salud mental está profundamente ligada a nuestra salud financiera,” concluye Dvorkin. “Hablar de estos temas y brindar herramientas para manejar la deuda es clave para aliviar la carga emocional que muchas familias enfrentan hoy.”
When Debt Hurts: The Mental Toll of Credit Card Stress
A new Debt.com survey reveals the growing emotional toll of financial stress—even in a lower-inflation environment
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – July 11, 2025 /Noticias Newswire/ – Although inflation has dropped significantly in recent years (from 6.5% in 2022 to 2.3% today), the emotional toll of financial stress has not followed the same downward trend. Debt.com’s latest annual survey on mental health and money reveals a troubling increase in negative emotions and behaviors related to debt between 2022 and 2025.
The primary driver appears to be credit card debt. In 2020, just over 10% of respondents admitted to avoiding social outings with friends or family because of their debt. Today, that figure has climbed to over 23%.
The emotional impact extends to dating as well. In 2022, only 5% said they avoided going on dates because of their credit card debt. Now, more than 13% do—highlighting how financial burdens are increasingly affecting Americans’ personal and emotional lives.
“Inflation might have dropped, but the damage is done,” said Howard Dvorkin, chairman of Debt.com. “Credit cards are the most widespread form of debt, which means they leave the deepest scars. You can’t always see them, but they can linger for years and affect millions of Americans.”
Survey results from 1,000 Americans further support Dvorkin’s concerns, revealing troubling trends in emotional well-being tied to financial stress. When asked how they feel while reviewing their credit card bills and what emotional triggers prompt them to spend, the responses revealed concerning trends.
Emotional Distress Linked to Debt Has Surged Since 2022
In 2022, only 6% reported feeling hopeless — by 2025, that number jumped to nearly 22%
Feelings of sadness rose from almost 7% in 2022 to 22% in 2025
Reports of losing sleep over debt more than quadrupled, from just over 2.5% to 13%
Majority Link Credit Card Use to Emotional Stress and Anxiety
71% of respondents say the convenience of credit cards negatively impacts their mental health
43% feel stressed after using their cards
Nearly 40% avoid reviewing their monthly statements due to anxiety
25% admitted to applying for a credit card while already feeling sad or stressed
Credit card debt isn’t the only financially motivated mental health issue. This year’s survey also asked about lingering inflation and student loan debt.
Inflation Stress Spills into the Workplace and Daily Life
74% report feeling anxious
23% say it affects their focus at work
7% report being unable to eat
The Weight of Student Loan Default: Fear, Action, and High Balances
88% of borrowers with defaulted student loans worry about wage garnishment or loss of tax refunds
68% have taken proactive steps like enrolling in repayment programs or setting aside money monthly
Nearly 1 in 4 borrowers owe more than $50,000
“Our mental health is deeply connected to our financial health,” Dvorkin added. “The more we talk about this and give people resources to manage their debt, the more we reduce the emotional burden of money stress.”
The survey, which polled 1,000 U.S. adults, shows how financial stress is taking a serious toll on consumers’ mental health:
Surge in Negative Emotions Since 2022
People feeling hopeless when checking their accounts: from 6% in 2022 to 22% in 2025.
Feelings of sadness: from 7% to 22%.
People losing sleep over debt: from just 2.5% to more than 13%.
Most Associate Credit Card Use with Stress and Anxiety
71% say the ease of using credit cards impacts their mental health.
43% feel stressed after using them.
Nearly 40% avoid checking their statements due to anxiety.
25% admitted to applying for a credit card while feeling sad or stressed.
But credit cards aren’t the only issue. Ongoing inflation and student debt are also weighing heavily on Americans’ emotional health.
Inflation-Related Stress Disrupts Work and Daily Life
74% report feeling anxious about rising prices.
23% say it affects their concentration at work.
7% report being unable to eat due to stress.
Student Loan Debt Fuels Fear and Uncertainty
88% of those in default fear tax refunds will be withheld or wages garnished.
68% have taken steps like enrolling in repayment plans or saving monthly.
Nearly 1 in 4 owes more than $50,000 in student loans.
“Our mental health is deeply connected to our financial well-being,” Dvorkin concludes. “Having open conversations and providing tools to manage debt is essential to easing the emotional burden many families face today.”
For more information or to schedule an interview with Howard Dvorkin, CPA, please contact Jill Randolph: [email protected].
About Debt.com: Debt.com is a leading resource for personal finance education, offering expert advice on debt relief, credit counseling, budgeting, and financial planning. Through educational initiatives like Debt Awareness Week, Debt.com is committed to helping Americans achieve financial freedom.
