The relationship between estimated risk age and perceived stress

The purpose of this study was to compare the estimated 'risk age' on the "Healthier People" health risk appraisal (HRA), an inventory comprised of medical measures and lifestyle behaviors, to the perceived level of stress with regards to the General Well Being Schedule (GWBS). Six hundred and eight participants from the United States Postal Service Headquarters in Washington, D.C., completed both the HRA and the GWBS. 'Risk age', an estimated chronological age derived from calculations using an individual's current medical data and lifestyle characteristics, and the total GWBS score, from the 18-item assessment, were correlated. Significant relationships were found between perceived stress and 'risk age', the amount of exercise, level of education, and gender. However, no relationship was found between perceived stress and age. Additional research is needed regarding the best way to quantify and integrate perceived stress into the HRA risk equation and estimation.