Teens experience stress in a way that is similar to adults. According to a new survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) teens reported a higher stress level than did adults.
The online survey in February was conducted by Harris Interactive Inc., and involved 1,950 adults and 1,018 teens in the U.S.
The findings suggest that unhealthy behaviors tied to stress levels may begin manifesting early in people’s lives. Stress can have a negative impact on healthy behaviors, such as exercising, sleeping, and eating healthy foods.
Teens report that, during the school year, their stress levels go far beyond what they perceive to be healthy. Additionally, it outranks adults’ average reported stress levels.
Even during the summer:
teens reported having higher stress levels than what they believed to be healthy. 31% of teens reported feeling overwhelmed, and 30% reported feeling depressed or sad because of stress. 36% of teens reported feeling fatigued or tired, and nearly 23% reported skipping a meal due to stress.
Despite the impact that stress appears to have on their lives, teens are more likely to report that their stress levels have only a slight impact, or none at all, on their physical/mental health.
“It is alarming that the teen stress experience is so similar to that of adults. It is even more concerning that they seem to underestimate the potential impact on their physical and mental health.” – APA CEO and Executive Vice President Norman B. Anderson, Ph.D.
“In order to break this cycle of stress and unhealthy behaviors as a nation, we need to provide teens with better support and health education. This can occur at school, home, at the community level, and in their interactions with health care professionals.”
Similarly, stress remains a major problem for many adults. 42% of adults report that their stress levels have increased. Another 36% say their stress levels have stayed the same over the past five years.
Adults’ average reported stress level is a 5.1 on a 10-point scale.This is much greater than the level of stress they believe is healthy (3.6).