Stress Assessment "*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Email* Symptoms of Stress How frequently do you find yourself experiencing such problems as headaches, problems going to sleep or staying asleep, unexplained muscle pain, jaw pain, uncontrolled anger, and frustration? Using the table below, assess the frequency that you experience these common symptoms of stress. The following are a series of self-assessment scales to help us determine the degree and type of stress we are experiencing and how well our stress coping skills are working.Headaches Almost all day, everyday Once or Twice daily Every night or day 2-3 times per week Once a week Once a month NeverTense muscles, sore neck & backs Almost all day, everyday Once or Twice daily Every night or day 2-3 times per week Once a week Once a month NeverFatigue Almost all day, everyday Once or Twice daily Every night or day 2-3 times per week Once a week Once a month NeverAnxiety, worry, phobias Almost all day, everyday Once or Twice daily Every night or day 2-3 times per week Once a week Once a month NeverDifficulty falling asleep Almost all day, everyday Once or Twice daily Every night or day 2-3 times per week Once a week Once a month NeverIrritability Almost all day, everyday Once or Twice daily Every night or day 2-3 times per week Once a week Once a month NeverInsomnia Almost all day, everyday Once or Twice daily Every night or day 2-3 times per week Once a week Once a month NeverBouts of anger/ hostility Almost all day, everyday Once or Twice daily Every night or day 2-3 times per week Once a week Once a month NeverBoredom depression Almost all day, everyday Once or Twice daily Every night or day 2-3 times per week Once a week Once a month NeverEating too much / too little Almost all day, everyday Once or Twice daily Every night or day 2-3 times per week Once a week Once a month NeverDiarrhea, cramps, gas constipation Almost all day, everyday Once or Twice daily Every night or day 2-3 times per week Once a week Once a month NeverRestlessness, itching, tics Almost all day, everyday Once or Twice daily Every night or day 2-3 times per week Once a week Once a month Never · Impact · The more often you experience these symptoms of stress, the more likely stress is having a negative impact on your life. You may be so used to feeling a certain way that you assume this is normal. Look back over the Symptoms of Stress Table. Are there symptoms of stress that you would like to eliminate or change? Perceived Stress scale A more precise measure of personal stress can be determined by using a variety of instruments that have been designed to help measure individual stress levels. The first of these is called the Perceived Stress Scale. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a classic stress assessment instrument. This tool, while originally developed in 1983, remains a popular choice for helping us understand how different situations affect our feelings and our perceived stress. The questions in this scale ask about your feelings and thoughts during the last month. In each case, you will be asked to indicate how often you felt or thought a certain way. Although some of the questions are similar, there are differences between them and you should treat each one as a separate question. The best approach is to answer fairly quickly. That is, don’t try to count up the number of times you felt a particular way; rather indicate the alternative that seems like a reasonable estimate.In the last month, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly? Never Almost never Sometimes Fairly often Very oftenIn the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life? Never Almost never Sometimes Fairly often Very oftenIn the last month, how often have you felt nervous and stressed? Never Almost never Sometimes Fairly often Very oftenIn the last month, how often have you felt confident about your ability to handle your personal problems? Never Almost never Sometimes Fairly often Very oftenIn the last month, how often have you felt that things were going your way? Never Almost never Sometimes Fairly often Very oftenIn the last month, how often have you found that you could not cope with all the things that you had to do? Never Almost never Sometimes Fairly often Very oftenIn the last month, how often have you been able to control irritations in your life? Never Almost never Sometimes Fairly often Very oftenIn the last month, how often have you felt that you were on top of things? Never Almost never Sometimes Fairly often Very oftenIn the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that happened that were outside of your control? Never Almost never Sometimes Fairly often Very oftenIn the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them? Never Almost never Sometimes Fairly often Very oftenMy total score is The Ardell Wellness Stress Test Don Ardell developed a stress assessment that is unique in its holistic approach to stress. In chapter one, you learned about the importance of incorporating all dimensions of health in your understanding of stress. The Ardell Wellness Stress Test incorporates physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social aspects of health for a balanced assessment.Choice of career Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedPresent job/ business/ school Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedMarital status Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedPrimary relationships Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedCapacity to have fun Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedAmount of fun experienced in last month Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedFinancial prospects Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedCurrent income level Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedSpirituality Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedLevel of self-esteem Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedProspects for having impact on those who know you and possibly others Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedSex life Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedBody, how it looks and performs Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedHome life Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedLife skills and knowledge of issues and facts unrelated to your job or profession Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedLearned stress management capacities Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedNutritional knowledge, attitudes, and choices Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedAbility to recover from disappointment, hurts, setbacks, and tragedies Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedConfidence that you currently are, or will in the future be, reasonably close to your highest potential. Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedAchievement of a rounded or balanced quality in your life Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedSense that life for you is on an upward curve, getting better and fuller all the time Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedLevel of participation in issues and concerns beyond your immediate interests Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedChoice whether to parent or not and with the consequences or results of that choice Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedRole in some kind of network of friends, relatives, and/or others about whom you care deeply and who reciprocate that commitment to you. Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedEmotional acceptance of the inescapable reality of aging Ecstatic Very happy Mildly happy Indifferent Mildly disappointed Very disappointed Completely dismayedTotal Ardell Wellness Stress Test Interpretation + 51 to + 75 You are a self-actualized person, nearly immune from the ravages of stress. There are few, if any, challenges likely to untrack you from a sense of near total well-being. + 25 to + 50 You have mastered the wellness approach to life and have the capacity to deal creatively and efficiently with events and circumstances. + 1 to + 24 You are a wellness-oriented person, with an ability to prosper as a whole person, but you should give a bit more attention to optimal health concepts and skill building. 0 to – 24 You are a candidate for additional training in how to deal with stress. A sudden increase in potentially negative events and circumstances could cause a severe emotional setback. -25 to – 50 You are a candidate for counseling. You are either too pessimistic or have severe problems in dealing with stress. -51 to – 75 You are a candidate for major psychological care with virtually no capacity for coping with life’s problems. *Adapted from High Level Wellness: An Alternative to Doc, Drugs and Disease by Don Ardell Look back at the items in the Ardell Wellness Stress Test. Identify which items related more to physical health, to mental health, to emotional health, to spiritual health, and to social health. Do you see any patterns develop? For instance, are more areas of disappointment related to physical health than to social health? Remember, for holistic health we are seeking a balance in all dimensions of health. Source: http://faculty.weber.edu/molpin/healthclasses/1110/bookchapters/selfassessmentchapter.htmStress Coping Resources Inventory: A Self-Assessment People differ remarkably in their responses to potentially stressful events. For instance, about one in ten hostages comes out of captivity a mentally healthier person that when entering, while the others may face extreme emotional difficulty. What are the factors associated with coping success? The questions below relate to factors most closely associated with the capacity to cope successfully with stress. Circle the letter which lists the option that you choose. Answer each question as honestly as possible.How frequently do you moderately exercise? Daily or more often Once or twice a week Once or twice a month SeldomHow often do you get a full, restful night of sleep? Most every night Four to five times a each week Two to three times each week SeldomTo what extent is your energy sufficient for our work and daily activities? to a very great extent to some extent to little extent to very little extentHow closely does your weight approach the ideal level? My weight is at the ideal level My weight is close to the idea level My weight is not close to the ideal level I am dangerously overweight (underweight)To what extent do you eat a nutritious diet? to a very great extent to some extent to little extent to very little extentWhich of the following best describes your use of tobacco? In no period of my life have I had the habit of smoking or chewing tobacco. Early in my life for a short period I smoked or chewed tobacco I stopped smoking or chewing tobacco over the past two years I currently smoke or chew tobaccoTo what extent do you believe that you have a history of coping well with highly stressful situations? to a very great extent to a great extent to a little extent to a very little extentHow confident are you of being able to control your emotions in stressful situations? I never let my emotions run away me. I seldom let my emotions run away with me. I sometimes let my emotions run away with me. I often let my emotions run away with me.When things are not going well, how likely are you to view the situation as being temporary rather than permanent? very likely likely unlikely very unlikelyWhen something bad happens to you, how likely are you to exaggerate its importance? very unlikely unlikely likely very likelyWhen stressed by a complex situation, how likely are you to focus your attention on those aspects of the situation that you can manage? very likely likely unlikely very unlikelyWhen highly stressed, how capable are you of changing your thinking to calm down? very capable capable incapable very incapableWhen confronted with a stressful situation, how likely are you to wait passively for events to develop rather than to take charge? very unlikely unlikely likely very likelyWhich of the following courses of action are you most likely to take when you have become thoroughly frustrated? identify an alternate goal and pursue it pursue a relaxing activity withdraw and fell sorry for yourself vent your aggression on someone weaker than youIf you had worn an article of clothing one day and then found it to be flawed, how likely would you be to return it and ask for a refund? very likely likely unlikely very unlikelyWhen an unexpected, negative event happens to you, how likely are you to actively seek information about the event and how to cope with it? very likely likely unlikely very unlikelyHow much decision-making power so you have in your family? more power than any other member of my family as much power as any other member of my family less power than most members of my family less power than any other member of my familyHow much decision-making power do you have in your working environment? (if not working outside the home at present, use your last job as a basis for answering this question.) more power than most members of my work team as much power as any other member of my work team less power than most members of my work team less power than any other member of my work teamTo what extent do you believe that events in your life are merely the result of luck, fate, or chance? to very little extent to little extent to some extent to a great extentWhat is your best guess as to the extent and quality of contact you had with your parent(s) shortly after birth? was given an above average amount of contact by happy parent(s) was given an average amount of contact by happy parent(s) was given an average amount of contact by unhappy (perhaps angry) parent(s) was given a below average amount of contact by unhappy (perhaps angry) parent(s)During your early childhood, to what extent was your mother both calm and generally permissive? was given an above average amount of contact by happy parent(s) was given an average amount of contact by happy parent(s) was given an average amount of contact by unhappy (perhaps angry) parent(s) was given a below average amount of contact by unhappy (perhaps angry) parent(s)How easily do you make friends in a strange situation? very easily easily uneasily very uneasilyWhen highly stressed, how likely are you to ask friends or relatives for help? very likely likely unlikely very unlikelyIn comparison with other people, how likely are you to see others as threatening, uncooperative, or exploitative? highly unlikely unlikely likely highly likelyHow often are you confused about the intentions of others toward you? very infrequently infrequently frequently very frequentlyTo what extent are you frequently aware of practical, healthy ways of relaxing? to a very great extent to some extent to little extent to very little extentHow frequently do you pursue some highly relaxing practice? daily or more often once or twice a week once or twice a month SeldomHow often do you engage in a spiritual practice such as prayer, meditation, or inspirational reading to enrich your interior life? daily or more often once or twice a week once or twice a month SeldomHow connected do you feel to your conception of a higher power or to a worthy cause? to a very great extent to some extent to little extent to very little extentTo what extent do you believe your life has purpose? to a very great extent to some extent to little extent to very little extentHow much contact do you have with what you would consider a spiritual community? very much much very little none TOTAL SCORESWellness ScaleThought Control ScaleActive Coping ScaleSocial Ease ScaleTension reduction ScaleSpiritual Practice ScaleOverall Score Interpreting Your Score A perfect score on each scale would be 4. With this in mind, we might construct the following interpretive key: An overall score of 3.5+ suggests you may be a superior stresscoper. An overall score of 2.5-3.4 suggests you may be an above average stresscoper. An overall score of 1.5-2.4 suggests you may be an average stresscoper. An overall score of less than 1.5 suggests you may be a below average stresscoper. Please note that the scoring legend has been derived rationally, not empirically.
