Table : TABLE 13.1
The Social Readjustment Rating Scale: Sample Items
Life ChangeLife Event Units
Death of spouse100
Divorce73
Marital separation65
Death of close family member63
Major personal injury or illness53
Marriage50
Fired at work47
Retirement45
Pregnancy40
Change in financial state38
Death of close friend37
Change to different line of work36
Mortgage or loan for major purchase31
Foreclosure on mortgage or loan30
Change in work responsibilities29
Outstanding personal achievement28
Begin or end school26
Trouble with boss23
Change in work hours or conditions20
Change in residence20
Change in social activities18
Change in sleeping habits16
Vacation13
Christmas12
Minor violations of the law11
Source: Holmes & Rahe (1967).
The Social Readjustment Rating Scale, developed by Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe (1967), was an early attempt to quantify the amount of stress experienced by people in a wide range of situations.