- New research reveals that Americans between 45 and 65 years old are experiencing more stress today than people their age did in the 1990s.
- Experts believe changes in technology, family and relationship dynamics, and economic hardship are some reasons for this.
- Experts suggest some of the best ways to manage stress are through professional counseling along with exercise, nutrition, socializing, and holistic approaches like yoga and acupuncture.
We certainly live in stressful times, but how do they compare to how things were 3 decades ago?
New research published this month examines the impact of stress on people who are middle age, finding a stark increase in day-to-day stress among people from 45 to 64 years old in the 2010s compared to the 1990s.
In a new paper published in the journal American Psychologist, Penn State researchers looked at data from 1,499 adults collected in 1995 and then 782 different adults 17 years later in 2012.
Both different groups had been interviewed on a daily basis for 8 straight days. They were asked about stressful experiences they had over the past 24 hours.
The results? Researchers found that day-to-day stress and a sense of lower overall well-being were much higher in the 2010s compared to the 1990s.
While people overall experienced about 2 percent more stress in the later decade, for middle-aged people, it was about 19 percent higher.
Middle-aged participants in the surveys showed a 17 percent increase in having a sense that stress would affect their future plans. They also had a 27 percent increase in the belief that their financial status would be affected by stress in the 2010s compared to the ’90s.
Lead researcher David M. Almeida, PhD, professor of human development and family studies at Penn State College of Health and Human Development, told Healthline that, at the outset, he and his colleagues expected life to be more stressful for people now compared to the ’90s.
What surprised them was this discrepancy between middle-aged people and other age groups.
“We thought that younger people in late 20s or early 30s would be most stressed, with people coming out of an economic recession and low job prospects, entering economic uncertainty,” he said. “But it was people about 50 to 64 who were the most stressed out. That stood out, shockingly so.”
Almeida says that when they dug deeper in the data, it showed that people in their middle years seem to have more demands and pressures placed on them, naturally elevating stress levels that might not be as existent for younger adults.
For instance, people in midlife tend to be responsible for raising young adult children and getting them started in adulthood at the same time as taking care of older generations.
“It’s a time of life when you’re responsible not only for your own well-being but the well-being of many people,” Almeida added. “Even at work, in midlife you are entering management roles, and the sheer number of people you are involved with increases your opportunity to experience stress.”
Dr. Sudha Prathikanti, integrative psychiatrist and ayurvedic practitioner at the University of California, San Francisco Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, says this is reflected in what she sees anecdotally with her own patients.
Prathikanti, who wasn’t affiliated with this new research, says she works with a lot of middle-aged women who take on a big brunt of these responsibilities and familial duties.
She says it’s a pressing, defining issue that affects middle-aged women on a “global scale,” serving as something of a “sandwich generation”: stuck between taking care of aging parents and the labor of nurturing teens and young adults.
Women in this age group also have to care for grandchildren as well, something exacerbated by the fact that post-Great Recession economic hardships forcing young adults to move back home, creating difficult-to-manage multigenerational households.
This is certainly a new reality that existed more over the past decade than in the 1990s, a time of overall economic prosperity in the United States.
Prathikanti emphasizes it’s important to note that, in many ways, this is a very U.S.-centric stress driver, given that many non-Western cultures embrace older adults as sources of wisdom and respect.
Prathikanti told Healthline that our cultural deemphasis on people as they gradually get older also places a psychological stress of its own, a very American problem that doesn’t seem to be abating anytime soon.
Why are things more stressful now?
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Why are things more stressful now?
With all of that being said, didn’t a lot of the problems that plague our modern day exist 30 years ago, like lopsided economic distributions between rich and poor, domestic and global political upheavals and controversies, the demands of work and family?
Almeida says stress and anxiety are nothing new, but unique shifts in technology and the way we relate to the world over the course of 3 decades has had a psychological impact.
The recession on its own changed the face of many people’s livelihoods that wasn’t present during the economic booms of the ’90s, but also our “access to information” connecting “people all the time” has fed stress.
“In the ’90s, the internet did keep people connected, but not to the extent that it would 20 years later,” Almeida said. “I think constant connection to information can be great in some ways, but never gives you a break.”
This is especially true with the work-from-home culture brought about by modern technology.
Increasingly more people have been bringing work laptops and projects home with them at the end of the day. All too many of us are familiar with the drill: checking emails before bed, looking at the news at all hours due to smartphones and social media.
“This information access may have a big stressful effect,” he said.
There certainly has been a lot of upheaval in recent years to make it not seem surprising that the 1990s were less stress-inducing than the 2010s.
Last year, the American Psychological Association released its Stress in America report, showing that the 2020 presidential election, healthcare, and fears of mass shootings were big drivers of national stress across the board.
“With the economic recession, people were losing jobs and getting laid off, so there was also that whole added challenge of getting retrained in the same or new field, getting used to computer technology in a new way,” Prathikanti said.
She explains that this was harder for middle-aged and older people, with many of their younger counterparts born into a reality that always had computers and social media.
For younger adults, it was easier to adopt to these technological shifts even during a stressful time. One big irony, of course, is many of the people who were in their middle years by the 2010s were some of the first adopters and innovators of the internet in its earlier incarnations.
“It was hard for many to adapt and grow with it,” Prathikanti added.
Prathikanti says that increasing numbers of divorce and separation could be another big factor in this stress shift over time.
While divorce was certainly common in the 1990s, it’s even more so now, with some people hitting the edge of their middle years and looking into older adulthood without a life partner — a realization that can be disorienting for someone who might never have contemplated the idea of growing old independently when they first got married or partnered 20 or 30 years ago.
This is a phenomenon that also acutely affects women.
“A lot of the women I’ve worked with who divorced or are divorcing later in life took out significant amounts of time earlier in their career to raise families. Now they are not in the place where they have the economic security that they had earlier in life,” Prathikanti said.
“This financial stress of divorce and making up for lost time, in some ways in terms of their career, presents a double-stress they are also dealing with,” she added.
Someone looking to start over at 60 is dealing with the stress of feeling they have fewer years to make up for financial and emotional losses that a 30-year-old doesn’t have to necessarily process, Prathikanti explains.
What are ways to manage all of this midlife-fueled stress?
Prathikanti says she recommends a holistic approach. Traditional therapy can help coupled with outlets like acupuncture, exercise, a nutritious diet, and yoga.
Almeida acknowledges that many of the shifts in our culture that he considered when looking at the data resonate strongly, particularly now during COVID-19, with people isolating from others, holing up at home, and constantly plugged into technology.
“The more our lives center around technology and the more we keep getting work done without being with people, there is some danger in being in a situation where you lack human contact, which I think makes it more difficult to deal with stress,” he said.
Moving forward, Almeida says he’ll be examining how the current pandemic is affecting stress levels.
He’s always been interested in how stress is tied to physical and psychological health, but is particularly looking forward to examining one topic that sounds counterintuitive: the positive impacts of stress.
Almeida is interested in the idea that when people are stressed, they’re actually more likely to seek support and problem-solve.
When it comes to the complexities of middle age, Prathikanti says that, no matter the era, there will always be some enduring existential qualms that drive stress.
“People tend to look back and think, ‘Did I make all the right choices?’” she said. “That is something that comes with the territory of middle age, of being 55 or something and thinking, ‘Wow, I’ve lived more years behind me than are in front of me.’ That’s a sobering thought, and sometimes motivates people to make significant change in a positive direction.”
New research out of Penn State reveals that Americans experienced more stress in the 2010s than in the 1990s. This was significantly higher among people in middle age.
What accounts for this? Experts believe changes in technology, family and relationship dynamics, and economic hardship brought about by the recession of the last decade were major drivers of stress for people in their middle years.
What can help alleviate it? Seeking out professional counseling along with exercise, nutrition, socializing, and holistic approaches like yoga and acupuncture can provide significant benefits.
FAQs
Are Americans more stressed now? ›
“Americans have been doing their best to persevere over these past two tumultuous years, but these data suggest that we're now reaching unprecedented levels of stress that will challenge our ability to cope,” he said.
Why are Americans stressed? ›There are many triggers in life that cause people to be stressed, but money (32%) holds the top spot for the second year in a row. And that financial anxiety is growing, as the percentage of Americans who cited money as their top stressor in last year's ValuePenguin survey was 22%.
Are people more stressed than the past? ›“On average, people reported about 2 percent more stressors in the 2010s compared to people in the past,” comments David M. Almeida, professor of human development and family studies at Penn State, in a release. “That's around an additional week of stress a year.
Why modern life is so stressful? ›The heavy dependence on gadgets and technology has started to replace the need to socialise with people in real time, however, this has led to weakening of social relations and with the lack of a healthy social support, people find themselves more susceptible to feeling of loneliness and stress.
Which country is the most stressful country in the world? ›United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates scored 88 out of 100 in total in our research, placing it in first position as the most stressful country to drive in.
Is America the most stressed country? ›Although stress levels increased generally in employees across the world, the U.S. and Canadian workforces experienced the highest levels of daily stress globally in 2020. Employees in these countries reported stress levels of 57%, while in Western Europe, stress declined to 39% from 46% in 2019.
Which generation had the most stress? ›- 75 years and older – 3.3.
- Baby Boomers – 4.0.
- Gen X – 5.2.
- Millennials – 5.6.
- Gen Z – 6.1.
Statistics. Research also indicates that Gen Zers are currently the most stressed demographic of people. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that: 90% of Gen Z experienced psychological or physical symptoms as a result of stress in the last year.
Is anxiety more common now than in the past? ›A brief look into mental health statistics will suggest that anxiety is more prevalent now than it has ever been. You can find studies all over the internet that report an increase in anxiety and depression-related disorders over the last century.
Is society becoming more stressful? ›The world was sadder and more stressed out in 2021 than ever before, according to a recent Gallup poll, which found that four in 10 adults worldwide said they experienced a lot of worry or stress.
At what age is life's most stressful? ›
A new study finds the average American feels the most stressed at 36 years-old. Despite this — fear not — a recent survey of 2,000 Americans over the age of 30 reveals the average respondent is better at managing stress now than they were a decade ago.
Why America has so much anxiety? ›Why Is Anxiety So Common in America? What Changed? Unfortunately, no one seems to have an exact answer as to why anxiety is so common, but many attribute this presumed increase in anxiety disorders to factors such as social media, poor sleep habits, lowered stigma, and underreporting in the past.
Why is US anxiety so high? ›Anxiety can be caused by: Certain health issues, such as asthma, chronic pain, diabetes, drug withdrawal, heart disease, hyperthyroidism or irritable bowel syndrome. Chronic stress. Drug or alcohol abuse.
What is the most stressed state in America? ›...
Here are the top 10 least stressed cities in America:
- Madison, WI.
- Overland Park, KS.
- Fargo, ND.
- Columbia, MD.
- San Jose, CA.
- Bismarck, ND.
- Sioux Falls, SD.
- Burlington, VT.
- 10 Low-Stress Jobs.
- Data Scientist.
- Dietitian.
- Medical Records Technician.
- Massage Therapist.
- Appliance Repairer.
- Librarian.
- Diagnostic Medical Stenographer.
...
According to the latest results of the World Happiness Report, the happiest countries are:
- Finland.
- Denmark.
- Iceland.
- Switzerland.
- The Netherlands.
- Luxembourg.
- Sweden.
- Norway.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), people in the 18-33 age group suffer the highest levels of stress in the U.S.
Which is the unhappiest generation? ›Among the working generations, Millennials were the happiest with 57%. Gen X came next with 52%, and then Boomers and Gen Zs came after with 41% each. On the other hand, the generation who said they're the unhappiest were found to be Gen Zs with 22% saying they hate their work.
Why are we more stressed than past generations? ›New research reveals that Americans between 45 and 65 years old are experiencing more stress today than people their age did in the 1990s. Experts believe changes in technology, family and relationship dynamics, and economic hardship are some reasons for this.
What is the unhealthiest generation? ›
Researchers found that, compared to previous generations, members of Generation X and Generation Y showed poorer physical health, higher levels of unhealthy behaviors such as alcohol use and smoking, and more depression and anxiety.
Which generation is the fittest? ›Gen Z are the most active, with 87% of this demographic exercising three or more times per week, with Millennials trailing just behind them.
Why is Gen Z the loneliest generation? ›Either way, overstimulation is leaving Gen Z with less time to connect, making them feel lonelier. When it comes to social media, studies show that very heavy social media users are significantly more likely to feel alone, isolated, left out, and without companionship. Social media has caused a comparison trap.
What generation is the easiest? ›...
| Average age that each generation started saving regularly | |
|---|---|
| Baby Boomers | 31 years old |
| Generation X | 29 years old |
| Millennials/Generation Y | 27 years old (4 years difference) |
Nationwide, almost one in five people (47.1 million) in the U.S. are living with a mental health condition. That number increased by about 1.5 million over last year's report. About 10% of youth in the U.S have severe depression. This was highest among youth who identify as more than one race, at 12%.
Why is depression so prevalent now? ›There are many reasons that could explain why depression is so common now. Two main factors contributing to the rise in the number of people with depression are social media and the home environment.
Is anxiety more common in the US? ›Anxiety is the most common mental disorder, affecting 40 million adults in the U.S. population, according to the ADAA.
Why are people so emotional now? ›Feeling heightened emotions or like you're unable to control your emotions can come down to diet choices, genetics, or stress. It can also be due to an underlying health condition, such as a mood disorder or hormones.
What causes society stress? ›These demands can come from work, relationships, financial pressures, and other situations, but anything that poses a real or perceived challenge or threat to a person's well-being can cause stress. Stress can be a motivator, and it can even be essential to survival.
Why is social anxiety more common now? ›Bullying and more especially cyberbullying are among the common causes of social anxiety. At least 50% of children report having been victims of cyberbullying. The same goes for social media. It is important to seek professional help if the problem becomes more than you can handle.
What age is the happiest in life? ›
According to a new study published in the Social Indicators Research journal, we can expect to be happiest between the ages of 30 and 34. The study came to this conclusion by asking people over 50 from 13 European countries about the periods of their life in which they felt the most content.
What age is a human the most happy? ›In one large study from the Brookings Institute, for example, scientists found happiness was high for 18- to 21-year-olds and then dropped steadily until about age 40. But past middle age, the pattern began to reverse—gradually climbing back up to its highest point at age 98!
At what age are humans most happy? ›Between the ages of around 20 and the decade between ages 40 to 50, people score progressively lower in measures of happiness on average. But after the middle years of their life, that trend is reversed so that average happiness becomes steadily greater, until it levels off when people are about 70.
Are people more stressed nowadays? ›The world was sadder and more stressed out in 2021 than ever before, according to a recent Gallup poll, which found that four in 10 adults worldwide said they experienced a lot of worry or stress.
Are modern people more stressed? ›While people overall experienced about 2 percent more stress in the later decade, for middle-aged people, it was about 19 percent higher.
Is life more stressful now? ›Even before the novel coronavirus started sweeping the globe, a new study found that life may be more stressful now than it was in the 1990s. A team of researchers led by Penn State found that across all ages, there was a slight increase in daily stress in the 2010s compared to the 1990s.
Why America has so much anxiety? ›Why Is Anxiety So Common in America? What Changed? Unfortunately, no one seems to have an exact answer as to why anxiety is so common, but many attribute this presumed increase in anxiety disorders to factors such as social media, poor sleep habits, lowered stigma, and underreporting in the past.
Is anxiety more common now than in the past? ›A brief look into mental health statistics will suggest that anxiety is more prevalent now than it has ever been. You can find studies all over the internet that report an increase in anxiety and depression-related disorders over the last century.
What is the most stressful decade of life? ›Looking first at self-reports of ongoing stress, we found that people experience a sharp increase in stress levels in their late twenties and early thirties. Stress levels increase more moderately during the thirties and forties, remain steady for about 20 years, and then drop sharply as retirement comes around.
Which age is most stressful? ›A new study finds the average American feels the most stressed at 36 years-old. Despite this — fear not — a recent survey of 2,000 Americans over the age of 30 reveals the average respondent is better at managing stress now than they were a decade ago.
Which generation is more stressed? ›
Statistics. Research also indicates that Gen Zers are currently the most stressed demographic of people. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that: 90% of Gen Z experienced psychological or physical symptoms as a result of stress in the last year.
What age group is most stressed 2022? ›According to the American Psychological Association (APA), people in the 18-33 age group suffer the highest levels of stress in the U.S.
Why are humans so stressed? ›Mental health conditions, such as depression, or a building sense of frustration, injustice, and anxiety can make some people feel stressed more easily than others. Previous experiences may affect how a person reacts to stressors. Common major life events that can trigger stress include: job issues or retirement.
How stressed is the average American? ›Gen Z Stress Amplified as They Face an Uncertain Future
For comparison, the reported stress level, on average, across all adults is 5.0; this is on par with the level reported in 2019 (4.9) and 2018 (4.9).
| Overall Rank* | State | Total Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana | 61.38 |
| 2 | Nevada | 60.17 |
| 3 | New Mexico | 58.85 |
| 4 | West Virginia | 57.84 |
There are many reasons that could explain why depression is so common now. Two main factors contributing to the rise in the number of people with depression are social media and the home environment.
What stresses us out the most? ›Politics, international threats, personal safety, health, work, personal finances and the economy are leading sources of stress for Americans today according to the American Psychological Association.