More evidence from Statistics Canada on stress and ill-health
(Wednesday January 21st, 2004)

From The Daily, 21 January 2004:

   In 1994/95, Canadians aged 18 or older reported experiencing an average of five stressors (that is, sources of stress), and about 10% reported 10 or more. The most commonly reported source of stress in 1994/95 was chronic strains - 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.

   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, or 21%, 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 many previous studies, this one shows that levels of stress decrease with age, and increase at lower income levels.

   Adults who suffered high stress in 1994/95 had higher odds of developing a number of chronic conditions by 2000/01. 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. Of the various sources of stress (34 were considered in the analysis), chronic strains - continuing problems with crowded schedules, finances and relationships - appeared to be the most potent.

   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.

Data are from the National Population Health Survey (NPHS) and the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). The article on stress uses data for a sample of 10,151 NPHS respondents aged 15 or older in 1994/95 who were followed for the next six years, to 2000/01.