Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionHistoryItems on the ScaleScoringAdministeringInterpretingImpactTipsPotential Drawbacks

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Definition

History

Items on the Scale

Scoring

Administering

Interpreting

Impact

Tips

Potential Drawbacks

Close

What Is the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale?

This can be helpful in determining whether someone is at risk for developing an illness, or if they may benefit fromstress-reduction interventions.

History of the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale

They originally designed the scale to be used in research to help identify possible links between stress and illness.

Items on the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale

There are 43 items on the Holmes and Rahe stress scale.Each item is assigned a certain number of points, based on its perceived stressfulness. The total number of points a person scores can give an indication of their overall stress level. Some of the items on the scale include the following:

Scores on the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale

Overall, total scores can range from 0 to 430 points.

However, it is essential to remember that the scale is only meant to be used as a guide and that other factors, such as a person’s individual stress tolerance, can also affect their risk for illness.

How to Administer the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale

Interpreting the Results

If you have a high stress score on the Holmes and Rahe stress scale, it does not necessarily mean that you will develop an illness. However, it does indicate that you are at an increased risk. If you are experiencing a high amount of stress, it is important to take steps to reduce your stress level. This may includeexercise,relaxation techniques, andcounseling.

Impact of the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale

The Holmes and Rahe stress scale is a widely used tool that can be helpful in identifying people who are at an increased risk for developing an illness. The scale can also be used to help design interventions to reduce stress levels. While the scale is not perfect, it can be a useful tool for both health care professionals and individuals.

Below are some of the potential impacts of using the Holmes and Rahe stress scale:

Tips for Using the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale

If you are using the Holmes and Rahe stress scale, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Despite the potential benefits of the Holmes and Rahe stress scale, there are also some potential pitfalls to using the scale. These include:

A Word From Verywell

The Holmes and Rahe stress scale can be a useful tool for both individuals and health care professionals. However, it is important to keep in mind that the scale has its limitations. If you are using the scale, be sure to take into account all of the potential pitfalls.

Remember, the scale should be used as a tool to help identify people who are at an increased risk for developing an illness. It should not be used to make a diagnosis. If you are concerned about your stress level, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. They can help you develop a plan to reduce your stress and improve your overall health.

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Holmes TH, Rahe RH.The Social Readjustment Rating Scale.J Psychosom Res. 1967;11(2):213-218. doi:10.1016/0022-3999(67)90010-4The American Institute of Stress.The Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory.de Sousa-Pereira N, Bocchi M, Motoori-Fernandes CY, et al.An association between chronic life stressors prior to diagnosis of breast cancer.EXCLI J. 2021;20:1370-1378. Published 2021 Aug 31. doi:10.17179/excli2021-4005Blasco-Fontecilla H, Delgado-Gomez D, Legido-Gil T, de Leon J, Perez-Rodriguez MM, Baca-Garcia E.Can the Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) be used as a suicide risk scale? An exploratory study.Arch Suicide Res. 2012;16(1):13-28. doi:10.1080/13811118.2012.640616

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Holmes TH, Rahe RH.The Social Readjustment Rating Scale.J Psychosom Res. 1967;11(2):213-218. doi:10.1016/0022-3999(67)90010-4The American Institute of Stress.The Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory.de Sousa-Pereira N, Bocchi M, Motoori-Fernandes CY, et al.An association between chronic life stressors prior to diagnosis of breast cancer.EXCLI J. 2021;20:1370-1378. Published 2021 Aug 31. doi:10.17179/excli2021-4005Blasco-Fontecilla H, Delgado-Gomez D, Legido-Gil T, de Leon J, Perez-Rodriguez MM, Baca-Garcia E.Can the Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) be used as a suicide risk scale? An exploratory study.Arch Suicide Res. 2012;16(1):13-28. doi:10.1080/13811118.2012.640616

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Holmes TH, Rahe RH.The Social Readjustment Rating Scale.J Psychosom Res. 1967;11(2):213-218. doi:10.1016/0022-3999(67)90010-4The American Institute of Stress.The Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory.de Sousa-Pereira N, Bocchi M, Motoori-Fernandes CY, et al.An association between chronic life stressors prior to diagnosis of breast cancer.EXCLI J. 2021;20:1370-1378. Published 2021 Aug 31. doi:10.17179/excli2021-4005Blasco-Fontecilla H, Delgado-Gomez D, Legido-Gil T, de Leon J, Perez-Rodriguez MM, Baca-Garcia E.Can the Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) be used as a suicide risk scale? An exploratory study.Arch Suicide Res. 2012;16(1):13-28. doi:10.1080/13811118.2012.640616

Holmes TH, Rahe RH.The Social Readjustment Rating Scale.J Psychosom Res. 1967;11(2):213-218. doi:10.1016/0022-3999(67)90010-4

The American Institute of Stress.The Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory.

de Sousa-Pereira N, Bocchi M, Motoori-Fernandes CY, et al.An association between chronic life stressors prior to diagnosis of breast cancer.EXCLI J. 2021;20:1370-1378. Published 2021 Aug 31. doi:10.17179/excli2021-4005

Blasco-Fontecilla H, Delgado-Gomez D, Legido-Gil T, de Leon J, Perez-Rodriguez MM, Baca-Garcia E.Can the Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) be used as a suicide risk scale? An exploratory study.Arch Suicide Res. 2012;16(1):13-28. doi:10.1080/13811118.2012.640616

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