U.S. economic anxiety hits women harder: study

By Burton Frierson

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. economic downturn has spread personal financial worries far and wide, but women are more worried about paying bills, losing jobs, providing for children and saving for retirement, according to a study released on Thursday.

The study comes as the U.S. economy has been mired in a half-year-long period of stagnation accompanied by a shrinking job market, rising energy prices and a downward spiral in consumer confidence.

The report said women, particularly among minorities, have more financial worries than men. It was based on a survey commissioned in February 2007 by the Rockefeller Foundation and an analysis by the Institute for Women's Policy Research.

"Since the survey was conducted in 2007, we can only imagine that economic anxiety has heightened since that time," said Barbara Gault, vice president and director of research at the Institute for Women's Policy Research.

"As our economy gets worse, women are going to feel the pain the most," Gault added. She was speaking to a news conference held for the report's release.

The report was based on telephone interviews with 3,157 people aged 18 and over.

According to the survey, three of every 10 women were worried about their economic security, compared with two of every 10 men. Two-thirds of women fear they are not saving enough for retirement, but only half of men share this concern.

STRIKING DIFFERENCES, DOUBLE JEOPARDY