The Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale

[ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞]

Browser based questionnaire that calculates it for you, but doesn't allow for multiple incidences of a category: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTCS_82.htm

Wikipedia page with essentially the same questionnaire that you have to calculate yourself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes_and_Rahe_stress_scale


It takes events in your life and estimates the combined amount of stress it causes and whether that level of stress is a supposed health risk.

I'm curious whether the result lines up with your own gauge of the stress you're under, do you find this questionnaire to be relevant (since it was designed in the late 60's), what could be added or changed to make it more accurate, or whatever ideas this stirs up for you.

I came up with 785 which seems somewhat too high but roughly accurate.

What do you think? Are there better ways to quantify or evaluate your stress levels (without fancy equipment)?

[Eater of Clowns]

Below 150. 

[Bu🤠ns]

386 ... Although I think it's probably best to evaluate the number on healthy ways you deal with stress.  I'd like to see an addendum of questions that subtract numbers based on activities like, meditation, massage, etc..

edit: removed a 'don't' that changed the entire meaning of my point

[ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞]

Below 150. 

STRESSLESS BASTARD!

[ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞]

386 ... Although I think it's probably best to evaluate the number on healthy ways you deal with stress.  I'd like to see an addendum of questions that subtract numbers based on activities like, meditation, massage, etc..

Definitely. Something like:

Strong social support: -100 for each person
Vigorous exercise several times a week: -90
Weekly massage: -75
Healthy diet: -60
Daily meditation routine: -50

[Bu🤠ns]

386 ... Although I think it's probably best to evaluate the number on healthy ways you deal with stress.  I'd like to see an addendum of questions that subtract numbers based on activities like, meditation, massage, etc..

Definitely. Something like:

Strong social support: -100 for each person
Vigorous exercise several times a week: -90
Weekly massage: -75
Healthy diet: -60
Daily meditation routine: -50

I'd up that exercise bit.  the post exercise relief i get is incredible.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

146.

That list omitted a large number of significant stressors.

[Cardinal Pizza Deliverance.]

I scored over 1350. It didn't cover family disputes or abuse much except spousal crap and illnesses. The test definitely feels dated.

There wasn't one gender/sexuality question!!!111 :P

Anyway. I agree there should be the inclusions for healthy things. Exercise, diet, sleep, stress or anger management activities, etc.

[P3nT4gR4m]

I scored 95 but kind of doubt the validity of this. As Nigel points out - they've barely scratched the surface

[Junkenstein]

228. Yeah, this is pretty worthless.

[P3nT4gR4m]

Also absolutely no accounting for stress tolerance which is not a constant. No doubt there's punters out there who would laugh off six or seven hundred and others who'd blow a gasket if it hit double figures.

[Cardinal Pizza Deliverance.]

Also absolutely no accounting for stress tolerance which is not a constant. No doubt there's punters out there who would laugh off six or seven hundred and others who'd blow a gasket if it hit double figures.

That's a good point.

[ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞]

386 ... Although I think it's probably best to evaluate the number on healthy ways you deal with stress.  I'd like to see an addendum of questions that subtract numbers based on activities like, meditation, massage, etc..

Definitely. Something like:

Strong social support: -100 for each person
Vigorous exercise several times a week: -90
Weekly massage: -75
Healthy diet: -60
Daily meditation routine: -50

I'd up that exercise bit.  the post exercise relief i get is incredible.

Granted, I did just pull them out of my ass.

[ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞]

I scored over 1350. It didn't cover family disputes or abuse much except spousal crap and illnesses. The test definitely feels dated.

There wasn't one gender/sexuality question!!!111 :P

Anyway. I agree there should be the inclusions for healthy things. Exercise, diet, sleep, stress or anger management activities, etc.

Are you sure you haven't died and went to Tuscon?

I agree that the test is clearly flawed in a lot of respects, sexuality and gender being very notable absences.

[ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞]

146.

That list omitted a large number of significant stressors.

I'm starting to get the sense that it's just too flawed to get much out of, especially in the 35 years since it was designed.

There has to be a more sophisticated and accurate questionnaire for stress, no? Or do you think attempts to quantify stress like this are misguided in general?