Holmes Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale
This allows you to determine the total amount of stress you are experiencing by adding
up the relative stress values, known as Life Change Units (LCU), for various events. A
score of 250 or more is considered high. Persons with a low stress tolerance may find
themselves overstressed with a score of 150. The test is used to determine disease
susceptibility. With score of 150 or less, you have a 37% chance of becoming seriously
ill. Between 150 to 300 and it jumps to 51%. Over 300 and there's an 80% chance of
serious illness in the next 2 years.
Adapted from the "Social Readjustment Rating Scale" by Thomas Holmes and Richard
Rahe. This scale was first published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 1967, vol.
II p. 214.
Stress Scale for Youth
    Event                                                                         Value
    Death of spouse, parent, boyfriend/girlfriend                                  100
    Divorce (of yourself or your parents)                                          65
    Puberty                                                                        65
    Pregnancy (or causing pregnancy)                                               65
    Marital separation or breakup with boyfriend/girlfriend                        60
    Jail term or probation                                                         60
    Death of other family member (other than spouse, parent or                     60
    boyfriend/girlfriend)
    Broken engagement                                                              55
    Engagement                                                                     50
    Serious personal injury or illness                                             45
    Marriage                                                                       45
    Entering college or beginning next level of school (starting junior high or    45
    high school)
    Change in independence or responsibility                                       45
    Any drug and/or alcoholic use                                                  45
    Fired at work or expelled from school                                          45
    Change in alcohol or drug use                                                  45
    Reconciliation with mate, family or boyfriend/girlfriend (getting back         40
    together)
    Trouble at school                                                              40
Serious health problem of a family member                                   40
Working while attending school                                              35
Working more than 40 hours per week                                         35
Changing course of study                                                    35
Change in frequency of dating                                               35
Sexual adjustment problems (confusion of        identify)                   35
Gain of new family member (new baby born or parent remarries)               35
Change in work responsibilities                                             35
Change in financial state                                                   30
Death of a close friend (not a family member)                               30
Change to a different kind of work                                          30
Change in number or arguments with mate, family or friends                  30
Sleep less than 8 hours per night                                           25
Trouble with in-laws or boyfriend's or girlfriend's family                  25
Outstanding personal achievement (awards, grades, etc.)                     25
Mate or parents start or stop working                                       20
Begin or end school                                                         20
Change in living conditions (visitors in the home, remodeling house,        20
change in roommates)
Change in personal habits (start or stop a habit like smoking or dieting)   20
Chronic allergies                                                           20
Trouble with the boss                                                       20
Change in work hours                                                        15
Change in residence                                                         15
Change to a new school (other than graduation)                              10
Presently in pre-menstrual period                                           15
Change in religious activity                                                15
Going in debt (you or your family)                                          10
Change in frequency of family gatherings                                    10
Vacation                                                                    10
Presently in winter holiday season                                          10
Minor violation of the law                                                  5