New Yorkers' Stress Still Higher than Healthy

Health, Job Stability and Housing Costs Causing Significant Stress for New Yorkers, APA survey says

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Jan 11, 2012, 10:30 ET

NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Health, job stability and housing costs are significant causes of stress for residents of the New York metropolitan area, and stress in New York 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 243 New York residents and 1,226 U.S. adults in August and September.

Although reported stress levels have dipped in New York since last year, New York residents 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 (3.7 on a 10-point scale). Even with lower reported stress levels, almost one third (32 percent) of New Yorkers report that their stress has increased since 2010. Six in 10 New York residents say that job stability is a source of stress, well above the national average of 49 percent. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) say that personal health concerns cause them stress and the high cost of living in New York has an impact too – a full two-thirds of New Yorkers (66 percent) cite housing costs as a significant stressor.

While 87 percent of New Yorkers recognize that stress has a strong impact on personal health, only four out of ten (40 percent) feel that they are doing an excellent or very good job of managing their stress. Nearly one-third (31 percent) report irritability or anger in the previous month due to stress, 23 percent report headaches and 15 percent report indigestion. To manage their stress six out of 10 New Yorkers say they listen to music. Almost one out of 10 (9 percent) report seeing a mental health professional to help manage their stress.

Lack of willpower is the number one barrier to change for New York residents who decided to or were recommended to make a change—more than three out of ten adults (32 percent) said that willpower prevents them from making lifestyle changes to improve their health. They also point to a lack of time (24 percent) and requiring too much needed effort (17 percent) as barriers to change.

"While overall stress levels in New York are stable, the numbers of New Yorkers who are stressed about health, job stability and housing costs is alarming," said New York City psychologist Dr. Richard Juman, president of the New York State Psychological Association. "And although stress levels are lower than in previous years, they are still higher than what is considered healthy. It's important people pay attention to this because stress can affect your physical and emotional health, especially if 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 health lifestyle changes.

To read the full report on New York 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 243 adults living in the New York 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