Life Change Index after TH Homes and RH Rahe

Designed to identify those individuals where the possibility of health change in people could be measured where there had been changes in the last 12 months. The index takes no account of education, intelligence, sex, race or class or the fact that some people are basically stronger than others and better able to cope.

Each event has a score and the higher the score the more likely an individual is to suffer some stress-related illness whether mental or physical. The changes do not have to be for the worse to be stressful.

Using the table below circle the scores where an event has arisen in the last 12 months.

Event / Score / Event / Score
Death of spouse / 100 / Divorce / 73
Marital separation / 65 / Jail term / 63
Death of close family member / 63 / Personal injury / illness / 53
Marriage / 50 / Fired from job / 47
Marital reconciliation / 45 / Retirement / 45
Change in health of family member / 44 / Pregnancy / 40
Sex difficulties / 39 / New family member / 39
Business readjustment / 39 / Change in financial position / 38
Death of close friend / 37 / Change of work / 36
Change in No of arguments with spouse/partner / 35 / Large mortgage / 31
Foreclosure of mortgage/loan / 30 / Change in responsibilities / 29
Son/daughter leaving home / 29 / In-law trouble / 29
Outstanding personal achievement / 28 / Spouse/partner starts/stops work / 26
Begin or end school / 26 / Change in living conditions / 25
Change in personal habits / 24 / Difficulties with boss / 23
Change in hours or conditions of work / 20 / Move home / 20
Change of school / 20 / Change in recreation activities / 19
Change in religious activities / 19 / Change in social activities / 18
Small mortgage /loan / 17 / Change in sleeping habits / 16
Change in number/ type of family gatherings / 15 / Change in eating habits / 15
Holiday / 13 / Christmas / 12
Minor violations of law / 11

Now total your score.

q  Score of 150 or more then you have a 50% chance of undergoing a health change

q  Score of 300 or more you have a 90% chance of undergoing a health change

Source: ‘Living with Change’ by Ursula Markham Published by Vega, London 2002