Seattle's Stress Still Higher than Healthy

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Jan 11, 2012, 10:30 ET

SEATTLE, Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Work, money, and the economy are significant causes of stress for residents of the Seattle metropolitan area, and stress in Seattle 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 224 Seattle residents and 1,226 U.S. adults in August and September.

Although stress levels have gone down in Seattle since last year, Seattle residents still experience higher than healthy levels of stress, reporting a stress level of 5.0 on a 10-point scale, compared to 3.7, which they considered healthy. Even with lowered reported stress levels, 73 percent of Seattle residents cite work as significant cause of stress, followed by money at 70 percent and the economy at 66 percent, which is similar to the national average at 70 percent (work), 75 percent (money), and 67 percent (the economy). Such a high stress level may be adversely affecting Seattle residents' health, and three in four adults report experiencing physical manifestations of stress within the month of completing the survey.

Even with lowered stress levels, only 36 percent of adults report that they are managing their stress very or extremely well. In fact, Seattle residents rate managing stress as only the fifth most important aspect of well-being, compared to Americans overall who rate it as the second most important. To manage their stress, Seattle residents are more likely than adults nationwide to turn to music (58 percent vs. 48 percent nationally) and more likely to believe that a psychologist can help with emotional issues and coping with chronic illness.

For those who decided to or were recommended to make a lifestyle or behavior change, lack of willpower remains the number one barrier to change for Seattle residents – 35 percent of adults cite willpower as preventing them from making desired lifestyle and behavior changes, more than adults nationally (27 percent). Twenty-nine percent of adults in Seattle identified lack of time and 14 percent cited expense as barriers to behavior change.

In terms of workplace stress, 50 percent of Seattle residents cite job stability as a somewhat or very significant source of stress, which is higher than in 2010 (39 percent). Such stress regarding employment is accompanied by a decline in healthy eating – Seattle residents reported less healthy food consumption this year than in 2010 (52 percent in 2011 vs. 65 percent in 2010), with more Seattle residents (31 percent) describing cost as a barrier to healthy eating, compared to 18 percent in 2010.

"It's encouraging to see that there is a decline in stress levels in Seattle, since we know there is a strong connection between chronic stress and serious health problems," said Seattle -area psychologist Dr. E.B. Vance, the public education coordinator for the Washington State Psychological Association. "People should remember, however, that although stress levels are lower than in previous years, they are still higher than what is considered healthy. So it's important that people pay attention to signs of stress and manage them properly."

The national survey found that reported stress levels are declining in Americans overall, 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 Seattle 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 224 adults living in the Seattle 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