American women, young people are more stressed than their counterparts, study shows

istockphoto

(CBS News) What's the recipe for a stress-filled life? According to new research, being young, a woman, having a low education level and/or having low income represent the most stressed individuals in the United States.

A new study, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology in the June 2012 issue, marks the first time scientists have been able to track the level of stress across the U.S. over time. Self-reported stress levels increased between 10 and 30 percent over all demographic categories between 1983 and 2009.

"We know that stress contributes to poorer health practices, increased risk for disease, accelerated disease progression and increased mortality," study author Dr. Sheldon Cohen, the Robert E. Doherty Professor of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa., said in the press release. "Differences in stress between demographics may be important markers of populations under increased risk for physical and psychological disorders."

High stress can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Researchers looked at telephone survey data collected in 1983 and online surveys that were conducted from 2006 and 2009 to compile their data. Each survey consisted of at least 2,000 Americans and used the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), which was created by Cohen to determine the stress level that arises from certain life situations.

In general, not only were women more stressed, but the study found that stress levels also increased with decreasing age - meaning 20-year-olds were more frazzled than 30-year-olds - and with lower education and income levels. Stress levels for women increased 18 percent, while men's stress levels increased 25 percent over the study time period.

While minorities were more stressed than whites, the differences were negated when other demographic factors were taken into account. Although unemployed people were the most stressed, retired people normally reported lower stress levels.

The recession from 2008- 2009 didn't increase stress levels that much for Americans, except for white, middle-aged men with college educations. Their stress levels increased greatly, perhaps because they had both their jobs and their savings at stake, the researchers hypothesized.

Cohen pointed out that because the surveys were conducted differently, it may not necessary mean that people are, in general, more stressed in this day and age. The difference may have made people more likely to report stress in one method over another.

"It's hard to say if people are more stressed now than before because the first survey was conducted by phone and the last two were done online," Cohen said. "But, it's clear that stress is still very much present in Americans' lives, putting them at greater risk for many diseases such as cardiovascular, asthma and autoimmune disorders."

Psychiatrist Dr. David Spiegel, director of the Center on Stress and Health at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, Calif., told USA Today that he felt Cohen's study was sound and made perfect sense.

"Economic pressures are greater, and it's harder to turn off information, and it's harder to buffer ourselves from the world," Spiegel said to USA Today.

[JackInDelaware]

Alert ! Alert ! New CBS HealthPop.com Headline ! " Newly discovered Meteor to destroy the entire Earth tomorrow !!! ... " American women, young people are more stressed than their counterparts, study shows " ... LMAO !

[JackInDelaware]

Alert ! Alert ! New HealthPop.com Headline ! " Newly discovered Meteor to destroy the entire Earth tomorrow !!! ... " American women, young people are more stressed than their counterparts, study shows " ... LMAO !

[mari1963]

I can't believe they had to do a study on this. Duh! Most of the single parents in this country are women! Men can't handle the real stresses of real life as well as women can. Women are the copers, the nurturers and the strength of the family - not men.

[sepa2]

May be b's feminists say "we want everything"

[gryphon501]

I can't imagine why women would be stressed out. Men are so helpful with the kids and house.

[formerlyluvnut]

by KPeters_from_UK June 15, 2012 2:42 AM EDT
formerlyluvnut
So we are to believe your wife's situation; one person's experience over an scientific observed sample group? Are you an idiot? Perhaps your wife is an idiot too and naive to think her life is bliss.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Are you THAT stupid as to not recognize a joke???? Long live the Queen! TOO funny.

[John_Merritt]

Well little wonder. Men blow off steam and feel great afterwards and the women is usually the person the man vented. We feel better and they feel like crud because women are 'veterans' at stuffing their feelings. Men are pro's at venting, inappropriate as it may be. Still does not explain that life span longevity women enjoy over men though. I am still working on that one.

[nohater]

no surprise here. it all sounds like common sense as to the triggers of stress. everyone is unique, there is no cookie cutter approach for everyone when it comes to mental health.

[KPeters_from_UK]

Not surprised. Women tend to be the sole provider and carer for children. Naturally, low educated and low income women will fret over medical bills, food bills, clothing the children, housing...everything needed for their families to thrive.

[erasmus111]

Maybe there are more stressed women in the U.S. because of their MEN?? From the comments I've read over the years, I'm kinda leaning that way. There's a lot of male chauvinist pigs. If men can't keep them under their thumb, or if they should happen to have an opinion, they must be a b*tch!