| The Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Scale |
| This table, developed by psychological researchers in the mid-1960's, assigns point values to a list of stressful life changes. The reserachers, T. Holmes and R. Rahe, concluded that an accumulation of 200 or more life change units in a single year tends to increase the risk of mental health imbalance, including anxiety and depression. As you reflect on your life during the past year, read through this table and see how many life change units your life scores. |
| Event | Scale of Impact |
| Death of a spouse | 100 |
| Divorce | 73 |
| Marital separation | 65 |
| Jail term | 63 |
| Death of a close family member | 63 |
| Personal injury or illness | 53 |
| Marriage | 50 |
| Fired at work | 47 |
| Marital reconciliation | 45 |
| Retirement | 45 |
| Change in health of family member | 44 |
| Pregnancy | 40 |
| Sex difficulties | 39 |
| Gain of new family member | 39 |
| Business readjustment | 39 |
| Change in financial state | 38 |
| Death of close friend | 37 |
| Change to different line of work | 36 |
| Change in number of arguments with spouse | 35 |
| Mortgage over $150,000 | 31 |
| Foreclosure of mortgage or loan | 30 |
| Change in responsibilities at work | 29 |
| Son or daughter leaving home | 29 |
| Trouble with in-laws | 29 |
| Outstanding personal achievement | 28 |
| Wife begins or stops work | 26 |
| Begin or end school | 26 |
| Change in living conditions | 25 |
| Revision of personal habits | 24 |
| Trouble with boss | 23 |
| Change in work hours or conditions | 20 |
| Change in residence | 20 |
| Change in schools | 20 |
| Change in recreation | 19 |
| Change in church activities | 19 |
| Change in social activities | 18 |
| Mortgage or loan less than $150,000 | 17 |
| Change in sleeping habits | 16 |
| Change in number of family get-togethers | 15 |
| Change in eating habits | 15 |
| Vacation | 13 |
| Christmas | 12 |
| Minor violations of the law | 11 |
Total up your points. If you scored over 200 you may have an increased risk. © 1995 by Dr. Frank Minirth, Dr. Paul Meier, and Stephen Arterburn, M.Ed. Excerpt taken from The Complete Life Encyclopedia.
Thomas Nelson Publishers. |