Major Life Events Flashcards
What are predictable life events?
A predictable event is expected as part of the natural life course, and it is known that it is coming in advance.
Give examples of positive predictable events.
- Leaving school can be seen as a positive transition towards independence, and new opportunities.
- Getting married.
- Retirement.
Give examples of negative predictable events.
- Death of a relative who has been ill for a long time.
- Divorce, even when expected this is a very stressful event.
What are unpredictable life events?
Unpredictable events are unexpected and shocking when they occur. They can trigger a feeling of being ‘out of control’, which can lead to anxiety and depression. There is a need to adjust to a sudden change in circumstances, relationships or role.
Give examples of positive unpredictable events.
- Promotion at work.
- Moving house as a result of a promotion, provides an opportunity to explore a new area.
Give examples of negative unpredictable events.
- Death of a friend or relative.
- Injury/accident.
- Redundancy.
How are stress levels affected by life events?
Stress is experienced when the demands upon a person exceed their ability to cope with them, and involves a feeling of chronic anxiety or worry about these demands.
Stress can be beneficial in the short term for motivation, but over a long time it can cause health problems and the adoption of unhealthy coping mechanisms.
How does an increase in stress impact on health?
- Mental health issues
- Cardiovascular problems
- Digestive problems
- Immune system breakdown
- Headaches
What is the Social Readjustment Rating Scale?
Holmes and Rahe (1967) developed a scale that calculates the risk that someone will develop a serious illness in the near future, based on the number of stressful events they have faced over a year.
The scale contains 43 major life events, each with their own stress ‘score’ (the top three are death of a spouse, divorce, and marital separation). The scores for each event experienced are added up, with higher scores indicating a higher risk of becoming ill.
What are potential positive and negative impacts of… starting nursery/school?
Positive - Opportunity to learn, build new skills, and make friends.
Negative - Difficulties with attachment and being separated from caregivers. Feeling insecure and shy.
What are potential positive and negative impacts of… moving home?
Positive - Living in a new environment that might be safer with better facilities.
Negative - Stress involved in moving, and negative impact on well- being if moving to a less-safe area.
What are potential positive and negative impacts of… leaving home?
Positive - Chance to build independence and learn new skills.
Negative - Struggling to cope with new responsibilities. Missing family, and reduction in social support.
What are potential positive and negative impacts of… marriage?
Positive - Having a supportive partner builds resilience and self- esteem, and promotes mental and physical health.
Negative - Unsupportive or abusive spouse will have a negative impact on physical, emotional and social well-being.
What are potential positive and negative impacts of… divorce?
Positive - Relief and positive benefit to mental health if the divorce represents the end of an unhealthy relationship.
Negative - Social isolation, and stress involved in adjusting to new status and living/childcare arrangements.
What are potential positive and negative impacts of… starting a family?
Positive - Sense of achievement in raising a family, development of new skills from taking on mature responsibilities.
Negative - Struggling to cope with new responsibilities, stress involved in parenting, impact on physical health.
What are potential positive and negative impacts of… starting/changing employment?
Positive - Opportunity to work towards greater financial independence, learn new skills, fulfil occupational goals.
Negative - Stress involved in adjusting to new role.
What are potential positive and negative impacts of… redundancy?
Positive - Seeking out new opportunities, possible improvement to well-being if previous job was stressful.
Negative - Need to adjust to new role and status, stress over financial situation.
What are potential positive and negative impacts of… retirement?
Positive - More leisure time and control over how the day is spent, more opportunities to socialise.
Negative - Potential for isolation, loss of role and status may impact on self-esteem and confidence.
What are potential positive and negative impacts of… accident/injury/serious illness?
Positive - Possible re-evaluation of perspective on the world.
Negative - Adjusting to change in abilities and circumstances (e.g. if taking time off work), impact on well-being.
