Americans stressed about money have lots of company, according to a new survey released by the American Psychological Association (APA). “Regardless of the economic climate, money and finances have remained the top stressor since our survey began in 2007. Furthermore, this year’s survey shows that stress related to financial issues could have a significant impact on Americans’ health and well-being,” APA CEO Norman B. Anderson, PhD, said in a statement issued by the APA.
The APA found that a majority of Americans reported feeling stressed about money at least some of the time. Stress about money is highest among parents, millennials and Gen Xers.
Good news about stress management
The report uncovered good news about stress management. Americans who say they have someone they can ask for emotional support report lower stress levels and better related outcomes. However, 43 percent of those who say they have no emotional support report that their overall stress has increased in the past year.
Overall, Americans’ stress levels are trending downward. Nonetheless, Americans are living with stress levels higher than what the APA believes to be healthy and some say they are not doing enough to manage their stress.
“This year’s survey continues to reinforce the idea that we are living with a level of stress that we consider too high,” Anderson said. “Despite the good news that overall stress levels are down, it appears that the idea of living with stress higher than what we believe to be healthy and dealing with it in ineffective ways continues to be embedded in our culture.”
The poll was conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of APA among 3,068 adults in August 2014.
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