New ‘scream survey’ shows screaming is good for your health
The haunt season is upon us, and thanks to a “scream survey” by Howl-O-Scream hosts SeaWorld, we can confirm that screaming is actually good for you.
The new study determined more than half of the 1,000 Americans surveyed believe screaming positively affects their health, and while only 10% say they scream at least once a week, a whopping 76% view screaming as a release for pent-up feelings.
The new “scream survey” also found:
- 61% of those surveyed reported screaming when they’re scared, while 69% scream even more when something unexpectedly scares them
- More women scream out of fear than men, with 70% of female respondents citing fear as the motivator, while 60% of men scream out of pain
- Gen Z enjoys being scared the most, with 62% of respondents in that age group reporting enjoyment with screaming and 72% saying they scream when they feel scared
- 52% of millennials agree that the louder they scream, the better they feel, while 72% of respondents 65 and over disagree
- Most respondents with children aged 13-17 report feeling relieved after screaming, compared to just 52% of adults without children
“SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream is packed with spine-tingling scares that await you at every corner,” said Marisa Thalberg, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. “Knowing that a visit through our Howl-O-Scream experiences can have scientifically proven benefits, we hope everyone will come enjoy a little ‘scream therapy’ with us this year.”
Methodology
SeaWorld and TRUE Global Intelligence conducted a survey of a demographically representative sample of 1,000 adults ages 18 and older. The online omnibus study was conducted via Big Village from Aug. 23-25, 2023.
Completed interviews were weighted by age, sex, geographic region, race, and education to ensure a reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. population aged 18+.
Scary Season at the Theme Parks
In addition to Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld parks – “designed to provoke more screams than ever before” – scare-seekers also flock to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood, Fright Fest at Six Flags parks, Knott’s Scary Farm in California, all featuring scream-inducing haunted houses, scare zones, and shows.
