Holmes and Rahe developed the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) to measure the impact of life events on stress levels. They had participants rate 43 life events based on the psychological adjustment required. Events were then assigned values, with a higher score indicating more adjustment was needed. They found that a score over 150% increased the risk of stress-related illness by 30%, and a score over 300% increased the risk of stress-related breakdown by 50%. The SRRS was one of the first attempts to quantify life stressors and link them to health outcomes.

1. Sources of Stress

2. Life Changes It has been suggested that life changes are a major source of stress. Think: How can we measure life changes and the effect that this might have on a person in terms of stress? ?

3. Holmes and Rahe (1967) Came up with the idea of a life changes scale Devised a list of life changing events and asked hundreds of people to rate them in terms of the amount of readjustment that would be required. each event then given a value Once the scale was developed, people simply had to circle which events they had experienced during the last 12 months. Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), AKA Holmes – Rahe Life Events Rating Scale.

4. This scale reflects the idea that many things happen in our lives which mean that we have to make psychological adjustments. The more we have to adjust, the more stressful the event is. Activity: We are going to re-inact a little of what Holmes and Rahe did…

5. In groups order the following Life Events depending on the psychological adjustment you think each would take. Jail Term Retirement Marital Reconciliation Fired at work Death of a Partner or Spouse Divorce Pregnancy Marital Separation Death of close family member Marriage Sexual Difficulties Gain of new family member Change in health of a family member Business Readjustment Personal Injury or Illness

6. The use of this scale was followed up with observations and interviews. Holmes and Rahe proposed that a score of 150 or more increased the chances of stress related illness by 30% A score of over 300 increased the chance of stress related breakdown by 50%. This research indicates a link between life events, stress and illness.

7. Activity: Complete a key studies form for Life Changes and Stress See page 90 Caldwell- AS level Homework: For Thurs. 18 th Sept. Outline and fully evaluate the SRRS Help: Psychology for Higher p93-96 Cardwell AS level p89-91

8. Background: -Holmes & Rahe attempted to quantify stress in relation to life events -To link stress to onset of illness For the outline Method -Selected number of life events -394 people asked to rate them in terms of amount of ‘psychological readjustment’. -Created a table of events with scores Outline and fully evaluate the SRRS Full Marks Feedback:

9. Use: Individuals stress score recorded for all life events experienced over a set time period Info on scoring leading to increased chance of stress induced illness For the Evaluation: Criticisms: Explanations of individual differences, causality, positive/negative events, self reporting Positives: First attempt to quantify life stresses, used to link life events to health breakdown.