Moms ages 35 to 54 the most stressed

WASHINGTON, May 6 (UPI) -- Moms in the "sandwich generation" ages 35 to 54 feel more stress than any other age group as they balance child and parental care, a U.S. survey indicates.

The American Psychological Association's 2007 Stress in America survey also says while nearly 2 in 5 men and women in this age group feel overextended, the survey reveals that more women than men report experiencing extreme stress and say they manage their stress poorly.

Nearly 40 percent of those aged 35 to 54 report extreme levels of stress -- compared to 29 percent of those ages 18 to 34 and 25 percent of those older than 55.

Eighty-three percent say relationships with their spouse, children and family is the top source of their stress -- but they are also stressed because of the struggle to take better care of themselves.

"It's not surprising that so many people in that age group are experiencing stress," psychologist Katherine Nordal, executive director for professional practice at the American Psychological Association says in a statement.

"The worry of your parents' health, and your children's well-being as well as the financial concern of putting kids through college and saving for your own retirement is a lot to handle."