D.C. Residents Stress Still Higher than Healthy

Money Causing Significant Stress for D.C. residents, APA survey says

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Jan 11, 2012, 10:30 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Work, money and the economy are significant causes of stress for residents of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and stress in D.C. is still higher than considered healthy, according to a survey released today by the American Psychological Association (APA) and conducted online by Harris Interactive among 262 D.C. residents and 1,226 U.S. adults in August and September.

Although D.C. residents generally believe they are in good health and report a high level of satisfaction with their lives, they still experience high stress levels, reporting an average stress level of 5.3 on a 10-point scale. This stress level is higher than what they considered healthy (3.8 on a 10-point scale). More than two-thirds (68 percent) of D.C. residents report that money is a source of stress.

And more so than nationally, D.C.-area residents feel overwhelmed as a result of stress (40 percent vs. 34 percent). Almost half (48 percent) of D.C. area residents, report having been irritable or angry at least once in the preceding month due to stress. Additionally, many report having been nervous/ anxious (38 percent), fatigued (35 percent) and depressed/sad (36 percent).

While more than half (54 percent) say they do an excellent or very good job of recognizing when they are stressed, only 26 percent believe they are doing as well managing stress when they experience it. DC residents who decided to or received a recommendation to reduce stress were significantly less likely to have been successful at reducing stress (22 percent) compared to those nationally (38 percent). To manage their stress, D.C.-area residents are most likely to listen to music (55 percent), exercise (55 percent) and read (48 percent).

For those who decided to or were recommended to make a lifestyle or behavior change, lack of willpower and time are the top barriers to change for D.C. residents—about three out of 10 adults cited these as key barriers (31 percent for time; 30 percent for willpower). For those who believe that willpower is a barrier to making lifestyle changes, nearly half report that changes required to increase willpower include more confidence in their ability to make a change (46 percent) and more energy (45 percent). Almost four out of ten cite the most important external change required to increase willpower is more flexibility over when, where and how much they work (38 percent).

"While many DC residents say they are doing a good job of recognizing their stress, the numbers who are stressed about money remains cause for concern," said D.C.-area psychologist Dr. Robin Haight, the public education coordinator for Virginia Psychological Association. "And almost half report irritability and anger due to stress with others saying that stress causes them anxiety, sadness or depression. It's important people pay attention to these signs of stress because it can affect your physical and emotional health, especially when not managed properly."

The national survey found that reported stress levels have stabilized from the highs of the economic crisis; however, they remain higher than what is considered healthy. Furthermore, Americans who serve as caregivers — providing care to both the aging and chronically ill — for their family members report higher levels of stress, poorer health and a greater tendency to engage in unhealthy behaviors to alleviate that stress than the population at large.

The national survey also found that people suffering from depression or obesity report higher average stress levels than the rest of the population, and are more likely to respond that they are not doing enough to manage their stress. People who are depressed or obese are more likely that the general population to try eating a healthier diet or taking other steps to reduce stress levels, but are less likely to report success when making healthy lifestyle changes.

To read the full report on D.C. and the United States, visit www.stressinamerica.org.

Stress in America is part of APA's Mind/Body Health public education campaign. For additional information on stress and lifestyle and behavior, visit www.apa.org/helpcenter and read the campaign blog www.yourmindyourbody.org. Join the conversation about stress on Twitter by following @apahelpcenter and #stressAPA.

Methodology

The Stress in America™ survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Psychological Association between August 11 and September 6, 2011, among 1,226 adults aged 18+ who reside in the U.S. In addition, an oversample of 262 adults living in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was collected. MSAs are a formal definition of metropolitan areas produced by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. These geographic areas are delineated on the basis of central urbanized areas —contiguous counties of relatively high population density. Counties containing the core urbanized area are known as the central counties of the MSA. Additional surrounding counties (known as outlying counties) can be included in the MSA if these counties have strong social and economic ties to the central counties as measured by commuting and employment. Note that some areas within these outlying counties may actually be rural in nature. Because the sample is based on those who were invited and agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive online research panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. To read the full methodology, visit www.stressinamerica.org.

The American Psychological Association (APA), in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 154,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting health, education and human welfare.

Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us - and our clients - stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

SOURCE American Psychological Association