Tuesday, February 3, 2004

SPOTLIGHT: Health

Stress may be a precursor of poor health

Stress has become a common theme of modern life, as individuals attempt to cope with pressures at home and at work that, for many, are overwhelming. A new study has found that stress may be a precursor of poor health.

Adults who suffered high stress in 1994/95 had higher odds of developing a number of chronic conditions by 2000/01, according to the study, published in the winter edition of Statistics Canada’s quarterly journal Health Reports.

For both sexes, these conditions included arthritis and rheumatism, back problems, chronic bronchitis or emphysema, and stomach or intestinal ulcers. For men, they also included heart disease, and for women, asthma and migraine.

These relationships suggest that, at least in some cases, stress is a precursor of poor health. Each additional stressor reported in 1994/95 led to a 6% increase in the odds of reporting a chronic condition six years later for men, and an 8% increase for women.

The analysis covered 34 various sources of stress. Of these, the most potent appeared to be chronic strains. These included troublesome situations that persist over time, such as trying to do too much at once, not having enough money, problems in marital relationships, and concerns about children.

In 1994/95, Canadians aged 18 or older reported experiencing an average of five stressors, that is, sources of stress. One out of every 10 people reported 10 sources of stress or more.

Time pressure was particularly common, with 44% of Canadians reporting they were trying to do too many things at once. Financial problems were reported by 38%, and 31% felt that others expected too much of them. One in five wanted to move, but felt it was not possible.

Women were more likely than men to report stress, and they reacted to a wider range of stressors. Women tended to report higher levels of chronic strains stemming from time constraints, others' expectations, marital relationships, children and family health.

It has been suggested that women are socially conditioned to be more responsive to others' well-being, so their higher stress rates may partially stem from this nurturing role.

Some stressors, however, affected men more than women. Men were more likely to report employment-related stress: a change in job to a worse one, a demotion or pay cut, or not having enough money, for example.

Like previous research, this study shows that levels of stress decrease with age, and increase at lower income levels.

You can read the complete article "Stress, health and the benefit of social support" in Health Reports.

For more information, contact Margot Shields (613-951-4177), Health Statistics Division.

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© 2004, Statistics Canada.