HOLMES AND RAHE (1970) SRRS and Sailors

Question 1

What is the aim of the study?

Answer 1

• To investigate whether scores on the SRRS correlated with subsequent development of illness, in American male sailors.

Question 2

How much people were in the sample?

Answer 2

• 2500 American sailors

Question 3

Describe the sample

Answer 3

• 2500
• American
• Males
• (Active duty) Sailors

Question 4

Describe the procedure of Holmes and Rahe (1970)

Answer 4

1. Over the following 6 months, the health status of active duty saliors were closely monitered via detailed records.
2. Sailors also completed the SRRS.

Question 5

What were the results of Holmes and Rahe’s (1970) study?

Answer 5

• There was a (weak) postive correlation of 11.8% between the Life Changing Score and illness scores.

(demonstrating a meaningful relationship between LCUS and heath)

Question 6

There was a weak positive correlation of… between the HIGHER Life Changing Scores and Illness Scores.

Answer 6

11.8%

Question 7

What can be concluded from the Holmes and Rahe (1970) study?

Answer 7

• Individuals who experience MORE significant life events are at a higher risk of developing stress-related illness
• however the correlation was a weak positive one thus life events cannot be the only factor contributing to illness.

Question 8

What are the strengths and weaknesses of this study?

Answer 8

• Strength= Real world application
• Weakness= Androcentric sample.

Question 9

Explain 1 strength from this study.

Answer 9

• The SRRS can be used in clinical settings to:
  1) Assses stress based on life events.
  2) Identify individuals at risk of stress-related illnesses.
  = Valuable in healthcare, counselling

Question 10

Explain 1 weakness of this study.

Answer 10

• The majority of their research was androcentric.
• As the SRRS was tested on males.
• the results may not generalise/ be applicable to females.