Stress Is Lower in Seattle, But Health Concerns Are on the Rise

Seattle residents experience an increase in high blood pressure and high cholesterol, APA Survey reports

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Nov 09, 2010, 12:30 ET

SEATTLE, Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Seattle residents are feeling less stressed than in previous years. Nearly one-third of Seattle residents report having little or no stress, according to a survey released today by the American Psychological Association and conducted online by Harris Interactive in August 2010. The stress level reported by Seattle residents has declined in recent years, with residents citing a stress level of 5.1 (on a 10-point scale) compared to 5.4 in 2009 and 6.1 in 2008.

The survey showed that Seattle residents are also doing better than Americans overall—they are more likely than adults nationwide to report that their stress has decreased over the last five years. It is not a surprise, therefore, that Seattle residents report fewer physical and emotional symptoms of stress. The 2010 APA survey showed a decrease in the percentage of Seattle residents that experience irritability or anger, headaches, or lack of motivation as a result of stress.

More people in 2010 than in 2009 are reporting that they are in excellent or very good health (44 percent in 2010 vs. 37 percent in 2009). Seattle residents also report being healthier than people nationwide, with 44 percent citing their health as excellent or very good compared to 40 percent across the United States.

Despite a decrease in stress and an increased positive outlook about their health, more Seattle residents report being diagnosed with high blood pressure (36 percent in 2010 vs. 26 percent in 2009) and high cholesterol (31 percent in 2010 vs. 28 percent in 2009) than they were in 2009. Lack of will power remains a barrier to change for people living in Seattle—nearly three in ten (29 percent) continue to cite this as the reason they have not made the lifestyle adjustments recommended by their healthcare providers. Seattle residents are also more likely than Americans overall to report that having more time would help them overcome their lack of willpower (54 percent vs. 34 percent nationwide).

In terms of job satisfaction, fewer Seattle workers cited job stability as a stressor than Americans overall (39 percent vs. 49 percent nationwide). And, Seattle workers are more likely than Americans overall to say they are satisfied with their employer's health and safety initiatives (51 percent vs. 38 percent).

"It's great news that people in Seattle are reporting lower stress levels than in previous years, especially since we know there is a strong connection between chronic stress and serious health problems, " said Seattle psychologist Dr. E.B. Vance, the public education coordinator for the Washington State Psychological Association . "But it is important to remember that even if stress is lower, Seattle residents should continue to work toward properly managing their stress by adopting healthy lifestyle changes."

At a national level, the annual Stress in America survey shows that Americans appear to be caught in a vicious cycle where they manage stress in unhealthy ways, and lack of willpower and time constraints impede their ability to make lifestyle or behavioral changes. In general, Americans recognize that their stress levels remain high and exceed what they consider to be healthy.

The national survey also found that while reported stress levels across the nation remain similar to last year, fewer adults report being satisfied with the ways that their employer helps employees balance work and personal life demands, and in general, concern about job stability is on the rise.

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. Get your questions answered on November 10 at 2:00 p.m. EST for a live chat with psychologists at www.facebook.com/americanpsychologicalassociation.

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 3 and 27, 2010, of 1,134 adults aged 18+ who reside in the U.S. In addition, an oversample of 214 adults living in the Seattle MSA was collected. MSAs are a formal definition of metropolitan areas produced by OMB (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. 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 150,000 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 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