• by Wayne Friedman , June 18, 2013

MTV says younger U.S. millennials are a bit more pessimistic than older millennials.

New millennials ages 14 to 17 are a bit more worried than their older counterparts about the economy and their future, while their older counterparts have a more positive outlook, per a new MTV study.

Over three-quarters of younger millennials "worry about the negative impact that today's economy will have on me or my future." A majority of 14- to-17-year-olds -- 60% -- also say:  "I believe that my generation will be worse off than my parents” generation. The same percentage -- 60% -- feel "very stressed about getting into a good high school or college."

Also, 71% of young millennials agreed with the statement: "If I want to do something, no one is going to stop me" versus only 51% in 2011. Nearly 70% say: "I put more pressure on myself than others put on me."

Older (twenty-something) U.S. millennials growing up in the late 1990s and early 2000s believed that going to “college, working hard and playing by the rules would guarantee future success,” says the study.

Stephen Friedman, president of MTV, stated: "This study clearly shows that millennials cannot be viewed as a monolithic block. We are especially impressed to see how millennial teens are resiliently and optimistically responding to adversity and preparing to win in the game of life."

Other findings: 80% of young millennials agree: "Sometimes I just need to unplug and enjoy the simple things." About the same portion agrees that "when I'm stressed or overwhelmed, I like to stop and just do one thing at a time." Nearly 60% of young millennials take a break from technology to make things with their hands.

The study also says nearly 70% of young millennials agree with the statement: "My parents are like a best friend to me" -- up from a 58% level three years ago. About three-quarters of those surveyed “try to avoid people being mean to each other” and "try to avoid videos about violence."

The study, called "The New Millennials Will Keep Calm and Carry On," was produced in early 2013 and included reaching 1,800 young millennials ages 14-17, 700 older millennials ages 18-25, 300 Gen-Xers, and 300 boomers, through in-home friendship groups, online Instagram Journals, diaries, older sibling focus groups and expert interviews.

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