Stress Squeezes 4 in 10 Americans

Jan. 30, 2007 -- Four in 10 Americans often feel stressed, a Gallup poll shows.

U.S. stress levels haven't changed much in recent years. Since 1994, between 33% and 42% of Americans have reported frequent stress.

In the latest Gallup poll, of 1,010 adults telephoned Dec. 11-14 of last year, 38% reported frequent stress while 39% said they sometimes felt stress.

One in five Americans reported only rare stress. And a lucky (or less honest) 3% said they're never stressed.

Who feels the most stress? Those who report frequent stress include:

• 44% of 18- to 29-year-olds, and 46% of 30- to 49-year-olds
• 47% of parents with children under 18
• 43% of full-time workers and 46% of part-time workers -- but only 29% of unemployed Americans
• 40% of women and 35% of men
• 55% of people who say they do not have enough time to do things they want to do

The poll, based on a national sample, has an error margin of plus or minus 3%.