Personal relationships—a stressful dichotomy - Brief Article

AORN Journal, Jan, 2003

Personal relationships present an interesting dichotomy, according to an Oct 8, 2002, news release from General Nutrition Centers (GNC). Personal relationships can be stressful for Americans, yet many look to these same relationships when seeking solace and comfort.

According to a random survey of more than 1,000 adults sponsored by GNC, personal relationships are the number one stress reliever in the United States. Twenty-two percent of respondents said marital and personal relationships were the cause of stress, yet 34% said they spend time with family members and friends in an effort to reduce stress. Other stress relievers include

* religion (30%);

* regular exercise (23%);

* vacation (16%);

* not working too hard (15%);

* vitamins, herbs, or natural supplements (14%);

* self-help books (13%);

* medication (11%);

* counseling (8%);

* dieting (7%); and

* smoking cessation (6%).

The survey discovered that the biggest factors that contribute to tension include

* finances (49%),

* anxiety regarding current events (46%),

* concerns regarding friends' and family members' personal safety (44%),

* health problems affecting family members (38%), and

* fear of being laid off or fired (21%).

Those experiencing the most stress were more likely to be women than men, have a high school degree compared to higher education, and live in households with incomes of less than $25,000 annually.

National Stress Survey: Loved Ones--You Can't Live With 'Em, But Mostly You Can't Live Without 'Em (news release, Pittsburgh: General Nutrition Corp, Oct 8, 2002) http://www.prnewswire.com (accessed 8 Oct 2002).