Infographic 12.1: Stressed Out

The graphic includes a table of the top sources of stress, a bar graph about stress over lifespan, a graphic about testing stress, and four mini-graphics with statistical data about stress. Text under the title “Stressed out” reads “Periodically, the American Psychological Association (APA) commissions a survey investigating perceived stress among adults in the United States. In addition to measuring attitudes about stress, the survey identifies leading sources of stress and common behaviors used to manage stressors. The resulting picture shows that stress is a significant issue for many people in the United States and that we are not always managing it well (APA, 2016c). Even when we acknowledge the importance of stress management and resolve to make positive lifestyle changes, many adults report barriers such as a lack of time or willpower that prevent them from achieving their goals. The good news? Our ability to manage stress appears to improve with age.” The chart with the top sources of stress reads as follows: Money, 69%; work, 65%; the economy, 61%; family responsibilities, 57%; relationships, 56%; family health problems, 52%. One text graphic explains that nearly 7 in 10 people experience responses to stress, including anger, fatigue, and feeling overwhelmed. Another reads “Only 30% of adults with high stress report eating healthy and getting enough sleep.” Text attached to this graphic reads “People with high stress also report poor health behaviors.” A third text graphic explains that 4 out of 5 people report that their stress level has increased or stayed the same in the past year. A fourth graphic explains that in the previous 5 years, 60% of people have tried to reduce their stress, and 53% are still trying. Values in the bar graph are as follows, where “Y” stands for agreeing with the statement “Managing stress is very important”, and “X” stands for agreeing with the statement “Doing a very good job managing stress”. For age group 18 to 33, 61% Y, 29% X. For 34 to 47, 69% Y, 35% X. For 48 to 66, 63% Y, 38% X. For agues 67 and up, 65% Y and 50% X. Text attached to the chart states that oldest people report the highest rate of meeting stress management goals. Text next to the chart reads as follows. “People across all age groups agree that managing stress is very important. However, the ability to manage stress varies with age. Younger adults are more likely to rely on unhealthy behaviors like drinking alcohol and smoking for stress management. Older adults report more success in achieving healthy lifestyle goals such as eating healthy and getting enough sleep. They also report higher rates of religious participation.” The graphic about testing stress contains text and then a sample questionnaire. Text under the title “Do you feel stressed?” reads “Psychologist Sheldon Cohen and colleagues (1983) developed the Perceived Stress Scale to measure the degree to which we appraise situations as stressful. By comparing your score against others tested in your age group, you are able to assess the amount of perceived stress in your life. Simply knowing you find your life uncontrollable or overloaded can be a trigger to seek help implementing positive lifestyle change.” The questionnaire reads as follows: “For each question, indicate how often you felt or thought a certain way. e best approach is to answer each question fairly quickly, choosing the alternative that seems like a reasonable estimate. 0=never 3=fairly often 1=almost never 4=very often 2=sometimes 1. In the last month, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly? 2. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life? 3. In the last month, how often have you felt nervous and “stressed”? 4. In the last month, how often have you felt confident about your ability to handle your personal problems? 5. In the last month, how often have you felt that things were going your way? 6. In the last month, how often have you found that you could not cope with all the things that you had to do? 7. In the last month, how often have you been able to control irritations in your life? 8. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were on top of things? 9. In the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that were outside of your control? 10. In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them.”