Quitting the rat race to start your own business is not always the best way of avoiding stress.

Research by the International Stress Management Association UK, in conjunction with AXA Insurance, revealed 65 per cent of owner-managers who set up their own business to escape the stress of corporate life, were more stressed or just as stressed as in their previous roles.

Women owner-managers were found to be more likely to find life outside big business more stressful.

The researchers found age could have it advantages.

All the 18 to 24-year-olds surveyed felt more stressed running their own businesses compared with 60 per cent of the 55 to 64-year-old age group.

The older business owners had more realistic expectations of how to manage and reduce stress.

Half the 18 to 24-yearolds had started up a business to reduce their stress compared to 14 per cent of the older age group.

Phil Watts, small business manager at AXA Insurance, said: "This research shouldn't put people off starting their own business.

"It merely highlights the need to go into business with your eyes wide open to the challenges and risks you might face.

"For example, you could lose your home if you borrowed against it, you could be sued by a customer or face a tribunal from an employee."

The survey found stress in the workplace was contagious.

Forty-two per cent of staff in small businesses blamed their stress on aggressive management or poor communication.

Fifty-eight per cent of respondents felt the situation would either stay the same or get worse in the future.

Mr Watts said: "It's impossible for anyone in business not to experience high levels of stress in today's economic climate.

"All growing businesses have to take some risks to survive. The challenge is to contain that risk and create an environment charged with positive rather than negative stress."

It is not only business owners who feel the strain.

Stress is the biggest health concern for workers, with four in five union representatives raising fears about its affects.

The majority of union health and safety representatives told the TUC stress was a problem in their workplaces, caused largely by heavy workloads and staff cuts. British industry loses 90 million working days a year because of stress at work.