Kanner: Hassles And Life Events As A Cause Of Stress

Question 1

Background- up lists scale

Answer 1

Researchers proposed that having desirable experiences makes hassles more bearable and reduces impact on health

Developed uplift scale , 135 events that being satisfaction

Given at same time and rated ‘somewhat’ ‘moderately’ ‘extremely strong’

Question 2

Aim

Answer 2

To compare hassles&uplifts scale And the Berkman life events scale as predictors is psychological symptoms of stress

Question 3

Background - hassles scale

Answer 3

Not all stress comes from major events, some come from lesser events e.g. Loud party next door, loosing keys

Richard Lazarus constructed the hassles scale which lists 117 events that range from minor annoyances to major problems

Participants indicate what hassles occurred in last month and rate ‘somewhat’ ‘moderately’ ‘extremely’ severe

Some most frequently reported are: weight concerns, health of family, rising price of common foods

Question 4

Method

Answer 4

Repeated measures

Filled out both scales

Question 5

Sample

Answer 5

100 people, previously completed health survey in 1965

California(majority white Protestant)

216 initially , 109 agreed , 9 dropped out

Question 6

Procedure

Answer 6

All tests sent out 1 month before study began

1) completed hassles rating for 9m
2) life events after 10m
3) the HSCL and Bradburn morale scale every month for 9m (assessed their psychological symptoms)

Question 7

Results

Answer 7

Hassles consistent from month to month

For men life events correlated positive with hassles and negatively with uplifts

For women life events correlated positively with hassles and uplifts

Hassles correlated positively more with psychological symptoms than life events

Question 8

Conclusions

Answer 8

Hassles are a more powerful predictor of stress than life events

Hassles contribute to psychological symptoms of stress whatever life events have happened