STRESS MANAGEMENT RATING SCALE
(Adapted from Holmes Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale)
Instructions: Note the number of times you have experienced each life event within the past year.
Multiply the number of times you have experienced each life event by the number of ‘life crisis units’
next to it. Add up the total of Life Crisis Units.
RANK
LIFE EVENT
LIFE CRISIS UNITS
1
2
death of spouse/partner/parent
divorce or ending long-term
relationship (12+ yrs.)
marital separation or
relationship separation
detention in jail or other
institution
death of close family member
other than parent
major personal injury or illness
marriage
Being fired
marital/long-term relationship
reconciliation
retirement
change in health or behavior of
family member
major business readjustment
Pregnancy
sex difficulties
gain new family member (birth,
adoption , marriage)
change in financial state
death of close friend
undertaking different line of
work
change in number of arguments
w/spouse/partner
new mortgage or loan for major
purchase
foreclosure of mortgage or loan
change of responsibilities at
work
son or daughter leaving home
trouble with in-laws
outstanding personal
achievement
100
73
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
65
63
63
53
50
47
45
45
44
44
40
39
39
38
37
36
35
31
30
29
29
29
28
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
partner/spouse begins or stops
work
begin or end school
change in living condition
revision of personal
habits/routine
Trouble with boss
change in working hours or
condition
change in residence
Change in school
change in recreational habits
Change in church activities
change in social activities
loan for major purchase (e.g. car
Change in sleeping habits
change in number of family
gatherings
change in eating habits
vacation
Christmas or holiday observance
Minor violations of the law
TOTAL LIFE CRISIS UNITS
Scoring
0-150
no significant problem; 10% chance of stress-related illness
150-200
mild life crisis; 33% chance of stress-related illness
200-299
moderate life crisis; 50% chance of stress-related illness
300 & up
major life crisis; 80% chance of stress-related illness
26
26
25
24
23
20
20
20
19
19
18
17
16
15
15
13
12
11