THE HOLMES-RAHE LIFE STRESS INVENTORY; SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT SCALE

 THE HOLMES-RAHE LIFE STRESS INVENTORY;

SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT RANKING SCALE

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WHAT IS THE HOLMES-RAHE STRESS INVENTORY?

   The Holmes and Rahe stress scale, also known as the Social 

Readjustment Rating Scale, is a list of 43 stressful life events that 

can contribute to illness. The test works via a point accumulation 

score which then gives an assessment of risk. The American 

Institute of Stress, for instance, regards a score of 300 or more as

 an "80% chance of health breakdown within the next 2 years". 

While there is good evidence that chronic stress can lead to ill 

health, there is not much evidence to support the ranking of 

stressful life events in this manner.

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DEVELOPMENT

  In 1967, psychiatrists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe

 examined the medical records of over 5,000 medical patients as a

 way to determine whether stressful events might cause illnesses. 

Patients were asked to tally a list of 43 life events based on a 

relative score. A positive correlation of 0.118 was found between

 their life events and their illnesses.

Their results were published as the Social Readjustment Rating 

Scale (SRRS), known more commonly as the Holmes and Rahe 

Stress Scale. Subsequent validation has supported the links 

between stress and illness.

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EXPLAINING/LAYING OUT LIFE STRESS SCALE

The sum of the life change units of the applicable events in the past year of an individual's life gives a rough estimate of how stress affects health.

Life event Life change units

Death of a spouse 100

Divorce 73

Marital separation 65

Imprisonment 63

Death of a close family member 63

Personal injury or illness 53

Marriage 50

Dismissal from work 47

Marital reconciliation 45

Retirement 45

Change in health of family member 44

Pregnancy 40

Sexual difficulties 39

Gain a new family member 39

Business readjustment 39

Change in financial state 38

Death of a close friend 37

Change to different line of work 36

Change in frequency of arguments 35

Major mortgage 32

Foreclosure of mortgage or loan 30

Change in responsibilities at work 29

Child leaving home 29

Trouble with in-laws 29

Outstanding personal achievement 28

Spouse starts or stops work 26

Beginning or end of school 26

Change in living conditions 25

Revision of personal habits 24

Trouble with boss 23

Change in working hours or conditions 20

Change in residence 20

Change in schools 20

Change in recreation 19

Change in church activities 19

Change in social activities 18

Minor mortgage or loan 17

Change in sleeping habits 16

Change in number of family reunions 15

Change in eating habits 15

Vacation 13

Major holiday 12

Minor violation of law 11

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APPLICATION OF SCORE/TIME RANGE

  

   Each major life event is given its respective score. If you have

experienced, within the last year, any of said events, you write

those numbers down as they will be tallied once you have gone

done all the life events as listed on scale. 

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WHAT SCORE MEANS/CAUSES FOR CONCERN

   Score of 300+: At risk of illness.

Score of 150-299: Risk of illness is moderate (reduced by 30% from the above risk).

Score < 150: Slight risk of illness.