At least one in seven UK adults is fearful of having children because of the looming threat of terrorism, a new survey has revealed.

The YouGov study, carried out for the Mental Health Foundation in conjunction with World Mental Health Day (Wednesday, October 10th), showed that global troubles were worrying enough to inspire 15 per cent of adults to put off starting a family.

Some 70 per cent of the 2,012 respondents admitted that terrorism was their biggest worry, while 58 per cent of those surveyed admitted to being regularly concerned by immigration.

But while one in four participants found having an electoral voice a big help in coping with their anxieties, 30 per cent were resigned to continually being worried.

Clinical psychologist Dr Michael Reddy explained why terrorism was revealed to be more of a worry than environmental concerns such as climate change.

"As social animals, we are sensitive to dangers from other humans that are intentional, such as terrorism," he said.

"Accidental dangers, such as natural disasters, fail to motivate us in the same way."

He added: "Feeling a threat to one's group from an unknown force, such as immigration, can threaten this sense of security and make people feel anxious."

Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, commented: "If angst is reaching a level where adults are contemplating whether or not to have children, then this could be a serious mental health issue because the current global issues aren't going away in a hurry.

"To help lessen any worry, a person should find out more about the issue that is concerning them and talk to others about it."

The online survey, carried out between August 1st and 3rd, found that world events left UK adults feeling powerless (56%), angry (50%), anxious (35%) and depressed (26%).
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