The Kent Center for Human and Organizational Development

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Holmes Stress Point Scale

Adult Assessment

Youth Assessment
Life's pressures or stresses can have an effect on your physical health. The following scale is adapted from the 'Social Readjustment Rating Scale,' by Drs. Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe (which originally appeared in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Vol.II, 1967). Do not attempt to add up a 'score' on this scale. The values are there to show the relative impact of stressful events experienced over the past year and to give some indication (and the list is by no means complete) of the wide range of stresses in our lives which may lead to possible health risks.

Use this scale in conjunction with the questions at the bottom of the page to Assess Your Stress.

ADULT ASSESSMENT:

Death of spouse

100
 

Foreclosure of mortgage or loan

25

Divorce

60
 

Sleep less than 8 hours per night

25

Menopause

60
 

Change in responsibilities ar work

25

Separation from living partner

60
 

Trouble with in-laws or children

25

Jail term or probation

60
 

Outstanding personal achievement

25

Death of close family member
(other than spouse)

60
 

Spouse begins or stops work

20

Serious personal injury or illness

45
 

Begin or end school

20

Marriage or establishing life partner

45
 

Change in living conditions
(visitors in home, new roommate, remodeling)

20

Fired at work

45
 

Change in personal habits
(diet, exercise, smoking)

20

Marital or relationship reconciliation

40
 

Chronic allergies

20

Retirement

40
 

Trouble with boss

20

Chage in health of immediate
family member

40
 

Change in work hours/conditions

15

Work more than 40 hours per week

35
 

Moving to new residence

15

Pregnancy or causing pregnancy

35
 

Presently in pre-menstrual period

15

Sex difficulties

35
 

Change in schools

15

Gain of new family member

35
 

Change in religious activities

15

Business or work role change

35
 

Change in social activities
(more/less)

15

Change in financial state

35
 

Minor financial loan

10

Death of a close friend

30
 

Change in frequency of family gatherings

10

Change in number of arguments
with spouse or life partner

30
 

Vacation

10

Mortgage or loan for a major purpose

25
 

Presently in winter holiday season

10
 
 
 

Minor violation of the law

5


YOUTH ASSESSMENT:

Death of spouse, parent,
boy/girlfriend

100
 

Change in work responsibilities

35

Divorce of yourself or parents

65
 

Change in financial state

30

Puberty

65
 

Death of a close friend (not family)

30

Pregnancy or causing pregnancy

65
 

Change to different kind of work

30

Marital separation or breakup

60
 

Change in number of arguments
with family, mate

30

Jail term or probration

60
 

Sleep less than 8 hours per night

25

Death of family member (not mate)

60
 

Trouble with in-laws or mate's family

25

Broken engagement

55
 

Outstanding personal achievement

25

Engagement

50
 

Mate or parents start/stop working

20

Serious personal injury or illness

45
 

Begin or end school

20

Marriage

45
 

Change in living conditions (visitors, remodeling, new roommate)

20

Entering college/beginning next level of school (high school, jr. high)

45
 

Change in work hours/conditions

20

Change in independence/responsibility

45
 

Change in personal habits
(smoking, dieting)

20

Any drug and/or alcohol use

45
 

Chronic allergies

20

Fired from work/expelled from school

45
 

Trouble with boss

20

Change in alcohol/drug use

45
 

Change in work hours

15

Reconciliation with mate or family

40
 

Change in residence

15

Trouble at school

40
 

New school

15

Serious health problem with family member

40
 

Currently in pre-menstrual period

15

Working while attending school

35
 

Going in debt (you or family)

10

Working more than 40 hours per week

35
 

Change in frequency of family gatherings

10

Changing course of study

35
 

Vacation

10

Change in frequency of dating

35
 

Presently in winter holiday season

10

Confusion with sexual identity

35
 

Minor violation of the law

5

New family member
(baby/stepparent)

35
 
 
 


The following questions were developed by the Learning Center at The University of Texas at Austin.

  1. Do you worry about the future?
  2. Do you sometimes have trouble falling asleep?
  3. Do you often reach for a cigarette, a drink or tranquilizer in order to reduce tension?
  4. Do you become irritated over basically insignificant matters?
  5. Do you have less energy than you seem to need or would like to have?
  6. Do you have too many things to do and not enough time to do them?
  7. Do you have headaches or stomach problems?
  8. Do you feel pressure to accomplish or get things done?
  9. Are you very concerned about being either well-liked or successful?
  10. Do you perform well enough in life to satisfy yourself?
  11. Do you get satisfaction from the small joys or simple pleasures in life?
  12. Are you able to really relax and have fun?

 

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