Death of a spouse
FAQs
What is the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale?
The Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, also known as the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), is a widely used tool that measures stress from major life events and changes. It assigns weighted "Life Change Units" (LCU) to 43 common life events to predict the likelihood of stress-related health issues.
Who developed the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale and when?
Developed by psychiatrists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe in 1967 at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
What type of assessment is it?
It is a self-report checklist where individuals mark life events they have experienced in the past year.
What does the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale measure?
- Major life changes and transitions
- Family and relationship events
- Work and financial stressors
- Personal and social adjustments
- Health-related life changes
- Cumulative stress load from life events
How many items and what format?
43 life events, each with a pre-assigned Life Change Unit (LCU) score ranging from 11 to 100. Users check which events they've experienced in the past 12 months.
How is the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale scored?
Total score is the sum of LCU values for all checked events:
• <150: Low stress risk (30% chance of stress-related illness)
• 150-299: Moderate stress risk (50% chance of stress-related illness)
• 300+: High stress risk (80% chance of stress-related illness)
Who can use this assessment?
Adults who want to understand their stress levels from major life changes and predict potential health risks.
What are the strengths of the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale?
Simple, objective measurement of life stress; research-backed correlation with health outcomes; widely recognized and easy to administer.
What are the limitations?
Doesn't account for individual perception of events; assumes all people respond to events similarly; doesn't measure daily hassles or chronic stress.
Clinical and Research Applications
- Predicting stress-related health problems
- Identifying individuals at risk for illness
- Planning stress management interventions
- Research on stress and health relationships
- Workplace wellness assessments