préoccupants

préoccupants is a French term that literally translates to “concerned” or “worried” individuals. It is the plural form of the adjective “préoccupant,” which describes people who experience anxiety or apprehension about a particular situation, or who provoke concern in others. The word derives from the verb “préoccuper,” meaning “to preoccupy,” which in turn is composed of the prefix “pré-” (before) and “occuper” (to occupy), signifying that an emotional state occupies the mind before other concerns can be addressed.

In everyday usage, préoccupants is often employed in journalistic or sociological contexts to refer to groups or demographics that exhibit heightened levels of anxiety regarding economic, environmental, or political issues. For example, a poll might identify that a significant portion of a city’s residents were préoccupants during a recent election cycle. The term can also be used more broadly to describe anyone who is preoccupied with a specific problem: “Les jeunes préoccupants de la crise climatique ont lancé une campagne de sensibilisation.”

Literature on social anxiety frequently cites préoccupants as a demographic indicator, particularly in studies examining the mental health impact of media coverage or governmental policy changes. While the term is specific to French, analogous English terms “concerned persons” or “in anxious states” convey a similar idea.