When surveyed amid a difficult 2018 for investors, many advisors anticipated more pain to come.

Market turmoil and political uncertainty topped the concerns expressed by 466 advisors in November and December, according to a recent study conducted by Independent Advisor Solutions by Oaks, Pa.-based SEI.

“This year’s survey reveals that goals and resolutions align with the continued evolution toward greater demand for personalized advice and service,” said John Anderson, managing director and head of practice management solutions at Independent Advisor Solutions by SEI in released comments.

More than three-quarters of the advisors surveyed by SEI, 77 percent, expect a market downturn to occur over the next two years. Only 13 percent believed that the markets would be clear of a downturn over that period and 33 percent believed that further downturns will occur in 2019. Another 44 percent thought the market will drop in 2020.

Advisors in SEI’s survey resolved to be more client-centric in the new year, with 43 percent pledging to conduct more client educational events and provide more resources for their clients. The survey found that the second-most common resolution for among advisors was to “take advantage of more millennial investors looking for advice.”

When SEI asked what economic factors were worrying advisors the most, 38 percent named a market correction, while another 25 percent indicated geopolitical uncertainty. The trade war between the U.S. and China and the trajectory of U.S. interest rate policy were also named as concerns, but by fewer respondents.

SEI also asked advisors what their main goals would be in 2019. One-quarter cited attracting and retaining more high-net-worth clients, making it the most common response. Increasing client referrals, named by 23 percent, and technology workflow implementation, named by 22 percent, were also of concern to the survey participants.

When asked where they would invest the time, effort and money dedicated to their businesses in 2019, 28 percent of advisors said they would work to enhance the client experience, 25 percent said they would try to grow their advisory team, and 18 percent said they would increase their marketing budgets.