In 1967, when they conducted a study of the correlation between significant life events and the onset of illness, Dr. Thomas H. Holmes (1918–1989) and Dr. Richard H. Rahe (1936–) from the University of Washington compiled a chart of the major causes of stress with assigned point values. They published their findings on stress effects as “The Social Readjustment Scale,” printed in The Journal of Psychosomatic Research. The researchers calculated that a score of 150 points indicated a 50/50 chance of the respondent developing an illness or a “health change.” A score of 300 would increase the risk to 90 percent.

This type of rating scale continues to be used to help individuals determine their composite stress level within the last year. Since 1967 other researchers have adapted and modified the checklist, but the basic checklist has remained constant. Of course, many factors enter into an individual’s response to a particular event, so this scale, partially represented below, can only be used as a guide.