Dammam, Asharq Al-Awsat- Fawaz Bin Fahad Al Rashed predicted that the large participation in the stock market could have negative long-term health effects on investors in Saudi Arabia. Through his study regarding the psychological and social effects on investors in Saudi Arabia, Dr Al Rashed concluded that 40% of those who took part in the study confirmed that they have observed some sort of change in their thinking and behavior after becoming involved in the stock market.

The study revealed that 30% of investors who took part in the study have suffered from varied psychological and physical illnesses. Furthermore, 30% admitted that the stock market has had some impact on their social life. Dr Al Rashed told Asharq Al Awsat that even though the results of the study have reflected important changes in a certain segment of the society; they did not necessarily reflect upon all investors who took part in the survey or investors in general.

Dr Al Rashed said that the boost in the stock market in Saudi had attracted many members of various segments in society. He stated, “The impact was concrete. Trading has had to take place at the expense of important social and family activities.” As for the impact on health, Dr Al Rashed added, “it is known that many physical symptoms are related to stress such as high blood pressure. Also there is the immobility factor that many investors sit at a desk for long hours watching a screen and this carries the risk of developing illnesses such as diabetes.”

However, Dr Al Rashed stressed that the results of the study should not put potential investors off the stock market. He said, “The Saudi stock market has been a source of major income for many. It has also provided numerous opportunities for young men, and broadened their horizons regarding economics. For that reason, I would never tell people to avoid investing in the stock market. My aim is to shed some light on other factors that may accompany such a venture so that investors may find some sort of balance between their health and their profits. The key is to re-strengthen family and social ties, to avoid stress and exhaustion, to have absolute faith in fate, and to be prepared for both loss and profit in the market as the rises and falls should be equally expected. “