Reported Stress Levels Decreasing in New York City, but Not Concerns About Money, Economy

NEW YORK, Nov 9, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Money and the economy are stressing New Yorkers, with each equally likely to be mentioned as a leading cause of stress in New York City. New Yorkers are also more likely than Americans overall to cite the economy, personal health concerns, and housing costs as significant sources of stress. Seventy-five percent of New York City residents cite the economy as a stressor, compared to 65 percent nationally, according to a survey released today by the American Psychological Association (APA) and conducted online by Harris Interactive in August 2010. However, New Yorkers are reporting lower stress levels than in 2008 and 2009, although their stress level is still higher than what they consider to be healthy.

On a positive note, the survey showed that more than half (56 percent) of New Yorkers report that they are doing enough to manage their stress and are more likely than Americans overall to report that they walk/exercise (62 percent vs. 48 percent nationally) and meditate/do yoga (13 percent vs. 7 percent nationally) to relieve their stress.

New Yorkers' continued high levels of stress may be affecting their health -- survey numbers show that more people are reporting that they were told by their healthcare provider they were depressed (17 percent in 2010 vs. 11 percent in 2009). In addition, almost half of New Yorkers report that they have eaten too much/eaten unhealthy foods (44 percent vs. 40 percent nationally) and lain awake at night due to stress (44 percent vs. 44 percent nationally) during the last month. While approximately a quarter of New York residents have been diagnosed with high cholesterol (28 percent), high blood pressure (23 percent) and obesity (20 percent), almost half (43 percent) of New Yorkers rate their health as excellent or very good.  

Lack of will power remains a barrier to change in the Big Apple—one-fourth continue to cite this as the reason they have not made the lifestyle adjustments recommended by their health care providers. More New York residents reported that it took too much effort to change their lifestyle and behaviors (21 percent in 2010 vs. 11 percent in 2009).

In terms of job satisfaction, New Yorkers report feeling less satisfied with their job than workers nationwide (54 percent vs. 64 percent nationally). Forty-one percent of New York workers report feeling tense or stressed out on the job, with one-third (35 percent) intending to seek employment elsewhere in the next year.  

"It's great news that  people in New York City 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 Manhattan-based psychologist Dr. Karina Davidson. "But it is important to remember that even if overall stress is lower, it is still higher than what New Yorkers consider healthy. New Yorkers should work toward 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 New York City 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 212 adults living in the New York City 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