Kanner: Hassles+Life Events

Question 1

Method?

Answer 1

A repeated measures design where every pp completed Hassles Rating Scale. Then they assessed their psychological symptoms of stress using Hopkins Symptom Checklist and the Bradburn Morale Scale.

Question 2

Sample?

Answer 2

• 100 people who had previously completed a health survey in 1965.
• all from California, mostly white, Protestant with adequate or above income
• 216 initially contacted, 109 agreed to take part

Question 3

Procedure?

Answer 3

• all tests sent out by post 1 month before
• PPs asked to complete hassles rating every month for 9 months
• life events scale AFTER 10 months
• HSCL and Bradburn Morale Scale every month for 9 months

Question 4

Results?

Answer 4

• hassles consistent from month to month
• life events for males correlated pos for hassles and neg for uplifts
• for women, more life events reported more hassles and uplifts reported
• hassle frequently correlated pos with psychological symptoms
• hassles correlated pos more psychological symptoms than life events did

Question 5

Conclusions?

Answer 5

• hassles more powerful predictor of psychological symptoms than life events
• hassles contribute to psychological symptoms whatever life events have happened

Question 6

Strengths?

Answer 6

• pp variables controlled in repeated measures, increasing v
• concurrent v between HSCL+Bradburn scale
• longitudinal over 10 months

Question 7

Weaknesses?

Answer 7

• self-report= social desirability
• repeated measures= order effects
• retrospective data= less reliable

Question 8

Aim?

Answer 8

To compare the Hassles&Uplifts scale & the Berkman life events scale as predictors of psychological symptoms of stress.