Measuring Stress Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)?
Self-report measure consisting of 43 life events which each have a score (life change units (LCU)) - the higher the LCU, the more adjustment needed
How was the SRRS developed? (Holmes and Rahe (1967))
Examined 5000 patient medical records and identified 43 life changes that appeared to cluster in the months preceding illness. Then gathered 394 participants and asked them to score each life event in terms of how much readjustment would be required - compared to marriage (50). Average score calculated = life changes units
How is the SRRS used?
Participants identify which life events they have experienced within a specific time period and researcher adds up life change units for all events marked giving a total score - Rahe (1972) says less than 150 LCUs means you will be reasonable healthy in next 2 months, 150-300 means you have a 50% chance of experiencing illness, and over 300 means an 80% chance
What is the hassles and uplifts scale (HSUP)
Self-report measure that assesses minor positive and negative events that occur in a person’s daily life - to see whether encountering daily uplifts offset the negative effects of daily hassles
How was the HSUP developed? (Kanner et al (1981))
Asked researcher staff to generate a list of hassles and uplifts related to various aspects of everyday life - 117 hassles and 135 uplifts
How is the HSUP used?
Participants rate each hassle on a 3 point scale in terms of severity and rate uplifts on a 3 point scale in terms of frequency. They also complete questionnaires assessing health and well-being to investigate whether there is a correlation between daily hassles and stress-related illness
What are the strengths of self-report scales for measuring stress?
1) valid because stress is personal so the best way to understand is to ask people (best done through self-report)
2) can be used extensively and can be adapted to enable a greater understanding of the causes of stress
What are the limitations of self-report scales for measuring stress?
1) some people may interpret the categories in different ways so it may not be valid
2) no cause and effect as it only concludes that there is a correlation between stress and illness
3) SRRS - individual differences may not be considered as the same life events may require different levels of readjustment for different people so it may not be accurate
4) HSUP - low test-retest correlations as it is time consuming so participants may not pay full attention when completing it again questioning accuracy
What is the skin conductance response?
Stress activates sympathetic nervous system, making us sweat more which causes more electricity to be conducted
How is skin conductance measured?
Attaching electrodes to index and middle fingers of one hand to detect sweating and then applying a tiny current between electrodes. By measuring the current that flows, conductance can be reported measured in microSiemens)
What is a strength of skin conductance response physiological measures) for measuring stress?
Avoid the problems of self-report scales such as social desirability bias and may be the only appropriate way when participants cant be given self-report scales to complete (eg. children or animals)
What is a limitation of skin conductance response physiological measures) for measuring stress?
Stress is not the only stimulus to produce an increase in activity in the sympathetic nervous system. For example fear, anger, surprise or temperature can also increase sweat and skin conduction. Cognitive appraisal also changes skin conductance meaning it might not be an accurate measure
What other physiological measures are there?
1) blood pressure
2) cortisol levels in saliva or urine
What types of skin conductance are there?
1) tonic conductance - baseline/no stimulus
2) physical conductance - when something happens that is a mild stressor
