To measure stress according to the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, the number of “Life Change Units” that apply to events in the past year of an individual’s life are added and the final score will give a rough estimate of how stress affects health.
Adults
Units = Adult Life Changes
| Units |
Adult Life Changes |
Units |
Adult Life Changes |
|
|
|
|
| 100 |
Death of a spouse |
29 |
Trouble with in-laws |
| 73 |
Divorce |
28 |
Outstanding personal achievement |
| 65 |
Marital separation |
26 |
spouse starts or stops work |
| 63 |
Imprisonment |
26 |
Begin or end school |
| 63 |
Death of a close family member |
25 |
Change in living conditions |
| 53 |
personal injury or illness |
24 |
Revision of personal habits |
| 50 |
Marriage |
23 |
Trouble with boss |
| 47 |
Dismissal from work |
20 |
Change in working hours or conditions |
| 45 |
Marriage reconciliation |
20 |
Change in residence |
| 44 |
Change in health of family member |
20 |
Change in schools |
| 40 |
Pregnancy |
19 |
Change in recreation |
| 39 |
Sexual difficulties |
19 |
Change in church activities |
| 39 |
Gain a new family member |
18 |
Change in social activities |
| 39 |
Business readjustment |
17 |
Minor mortgage or loan |
| 38 |
Change in financial state |
16 |
Change in sleeping habits |
| 35 |
Change in frequency of arguments |
15 |
Change in number of family reunions |
| 32 |
Major mortgage |
15 |
Change in eating habits |
| 30 |
Forclosure of mortgage or loan |
13 |
Vacation |
| 29 |
Change in responsibilities at work |
12 |
Christmas |
| 29 |
Child leaving home |
11 |
Minor violation of law |
Scores of 300+ : You are at risk of illness
Scores of 150-299 : The risk of illness is moderate core
150+ : You only have a slight risk of illness
Non-Adults
A modified scale has also been developed for non-adults. Similar to the adult scale, stress points for life events in the past year are added and compared to the rough estimate of how stress affects health
| Units |
Non-Adult Life Changes |
Units |
Non-Adult Life Changes |
|
|
|
|
| 101 |
Getting married |
53 |
Jail sentence of parent for over 30 days |
| 92 |
Unwed pregnancy |
53 |
Breaking up with boyfriend or girlfriend |
| 87 |
Death of parent |
51 |
Beginning to date |
| 81 |
Acquiring a visible deformity |
50 |
Suspension from school |
| 77 |
Divorce of parents |
50 |
Birth of a brother or sister |
| 77 |
Fathering an unwed pregnancy |
47 |
Increase in arguments between parents |
| 76 |
Becoming involved with drugs or alcohol |
46 |
Loss of job by parent |
| 75 |
Jail sentence of parent for over one year |
46 |
Outstanding personal achievemen |
| 69 |
Marital separation of parents |
45 |
Change in parent’s financial status |
| 68 |
Death of a brother or sister |
43 |
Accepted at college of choice |
| 67 |
Change in acceptance by peers |
42 |
Being a senior in high school |
| 64 |
Pregnancy of unwed sister |
41 |
Hospitalization of a sibling |
| 63 |
Discovery of being an adopted child |
38 |
Increased absence of parent from home |
| 63 |
Marriage of parent to step-parent |
37 |
Brother or sister leaving home |
| 63 |
Death of a close friend |
34 |
Addition of third adult to family |
| 62 |
Having a visible congenital deformity |
31 |
Becoming a full fledged member of a church |
| 58 |
Serious illness requiring hospitalization |
27 |
Decrease in arguments between parent |
| 56 |
Failure of a grade in school |
26 |
Decrease in arguments with parents |
| 55 |
Not making an extracurricular activity |
26 |
Mother or father beginning work |
| 55 |
Hospitalization of a parent |
– |
– |
Scores of 300+ : You are at risk of illness
Scores of 150-299 : The risk of illness is moderate core
150+ : You only have a slight risk of illness
|
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