Poll: Stress Squeezes 4 In 10 Americans

Four in 10 Americans often feel stressed, a Gallup poll shows.

U.S. stress levels haven't changed much in recent years. Since 1994, between 33 percent and 42 percent of Americans have reported frequent stress.

In the latest Gallup poll, of 1,010 adults telephoned Dec. 11-14 of last year, 38 percent reported frequent stress while 39 percent said they sometimes felt stress.

One in five Americans reported only rare stress. And a lucky (or less honest) 3 percent said they're never stressed.

Who feels the most stress? Those who report frequent stress include:

• 44 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds, and 46 percent of 30- to 49-year-olds
  
• 47 percent of parents with children under 18
  
• 43 percent of full-time workers and 46 percent of part-time workers — but only 29 percent of unemployed Americans
  
• 40 percent of women and 35 percent of men
  
• 55 percent of people who say they do not have enough time to do things they want to do

SOURCE: Carroll, J. The Gallup Poll, "Stress More Common Among Younger Americans, Parents, Workers," Jan. 24, 2007.