Money the Biggest Cause of Stress in Canadians' Lives

Toronto, ON - The holidays are a time of great joy for many, but also a time of stress. Other than the typical seasonal stress that many people feel at this time of year, four in ten (36%) say that their money and financial situation is causing them to feel more stress this year than last year according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Sun Life.

Two in ten (25%) say that their health or the health of someone close to them is making them feel more stressed, while others say the same about their work/career (20%), the economy in general (16%), or some other thing (15%). One in three (32%) say none of these things is causing them more stress this year than last.

Men and women are not on the same page when it comes to stress:

• Women (43%) are more likely than men (27%) to say that their financial situation is causing them more stress this year than last.
• Women (24%) are more likely than men (16%) to say that their work/career is causing them more stress.
• Men (20%) are more likely than women (13%) to say that the economy is causing them to be more stressed this year.
• Women (21%) are twice as likely as men (9%) to say that other things are causing them stress.
• Men (40%) are considerably more likely than women (25%) to say that none of these things is causing them to be more stressed this year than last.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between December 12 and 13, 2011, on behalf of Sun Life Financial. For this survey, a sample of 2131 adults from Ipsos' online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-2.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Canada been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Sean Simpson
Associate Vice President
Ipsos Reid
416.572.4474
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe. Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2010, Ipsos generated global revenues of e1.140 billion ($1.6 billion U.S.).

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