Dr. Rahe - Health Assessment Programs

A Recent Life Changes Stress Test (RLCST) This is the "classic" stress test! Drs. Holmes and Rahe first introduced scaled values for typical life change events in the mid-1960s. These results have since been used in hundreds of studies of life change and illness onset since that time. Applications of this test continue to the present day. For example, it was recently reported that the best predictor for worsening of AIDS is the patient's magnitude of recent life change events. Dr. Rahe developed his Recent Life Changes Questionnaire (RLCQ) in 1975. He used this version of his test in his subsequent research studies. However, for educational purposes, he shortened the RLCQ with its list of 78 life events, to today's version containing 55 events. This edition is called the Recent Life Changes Stress Test and is found on this site. Remember, life changes measurement is only one of several other important stress measures - four of which are included in Dr. Rahe's questionnaires. close

Derived from Dr. Rahe's work with Thomas Holmes, M.D. in the mid-1960s, this test provides a look at a person's life changes experience over the previous year. Completing this inventory, scored with revised life change units (LCU), a rough assessment of a person's near-future risk for an illness, or an accident, is obtained. A brief description of the completer's risk category is also presented, along with the test's total LCU score.

BSCI - A Streamlined Introductory Edition close

The Introductory Edition of the Brief Stress and Coping Inventory (BSCI) was designed for individuals, and groups, wishing to take the test and quickly view their results in a streamlined pictorial summary rather than in the longer and more detailed report given for the Complete BSCI. This pictorial format of results has proven to be very popular with teenagers.

BSCI - Complete Brief Stress and Coping Inventory The BSCI requires 10-15 minutes to complete. Although designed for teaching, it has also been used recently for research studies with reliable and interesting results. close

Dr. Rahe created this abbreviated version of his well validated Stress and Coping Inventory (SCI) in 1999. The Brief Stress and Coping Inventory (BSCI) can be completed in just 10 to 15 minutes and presents a critical look at a person's current major stresses and their reported coping capabilities. The BSCI is now on-line, at this site, with results being ready for review upon completion. Results can be seen, and printed out, in both text and numerical formats.

BSCI - History and Clinician's Manual close

This Manual was written for clinicians wishing to learn about the development of the BSCI if they have chosen it to be used in their practice. It outlines the test's five stress and five coping measures, gives the rationale for their selection, presents scoring keys, and lists critical research studies that support each measure.

BSCI - Paths to Health and Resilience This book was inspired from Dr. Rahe's many stress workshops, in which he had sufficient time to teach his BSCI materials in some detail. In one large study of effectiveness, persons attending his classes experienced 34% fewer, objectively verified, illnesses across the following year compared to two randomly selected control groups. close

This self-help book incorporates the BSCI. Each of the BSCI's 5 stress indicators and 5 coping capabilities are presented in separate chapters, along with supporting text and important exercises. A summary chapter determines a person's balance between stress and coping in their present life, leading to a measure of their near-future risk for illness versus a near-future prediction of good health and resilience. The book can be downloaded, in color, in a compressed PDF format on this site for $15.00. A graytone printed copy can also be ordered at amazon.com for $18.60 plus approximately $3.00 for postage.

Stress and Coping Inventory (SCI) Four categories of stress measures and four categories of coping assessments comprise the Stress and Coping Inventory (SCI). Dozens of research studies, including reports of the instrument's reliability and validity, have been published. (See Publications page.) Allow 30-45 minutes to complete the test. The more careful and honest you are with your answers the greater will be the benefits that you derive. A Workbook for the SCI is also available. The workbook is designed to increase one's understanding of their test results; to provide additional educational information; and list suggested additonal reading of related information. (See SCI Workbook.) close

Dr. Rahe created this comprehensive examination of 4 categories of a person's recent life stresses and 4 categories of their current coping capabilities, in 1986. Thousands of persons have completed this inventory and found it to be extremely helpful. Detailed results can be obtained immediately upon completion. These data-rich results can be printed out in HTML or PDF formats.

Stress and Coping Inventory (SCI) - Workbook close

The SCI Workbook was developed to help educators teach stress management using the SCI. The workbook can be divided into separate presentations incorporating key wellness issues, suggested exercises, humorous cartoons, and a reading list. Dr. Rahe used the SCI, and the SCI Workbook, in his California Wellness Foundation study where participants were found to lower their doctor visits by 34% over the following year.

The Life Chart This test is frequently used for individuals wishing to better understand the timing of onset of illnesses and/or accidents. To illustrate this approach, Dr. Rahe published a Life Chart for the famous artist Vincent van Gogh. The Life Chart requires 45-90 minutes to complete. Taking a break during this time is highly recommended. How to manage the test while taking a break is printed in the Instructions for the Life Chart. A Life Chart Manual will be created soon to explain the significances of frequently seen Life Chart profiles. close

The Life Chart was originally devised by Adolf Meyer, M.D. in the 1920s. It was revised by Dr. Rahe in 1970 for use in his U.S. Navy studies. The Life Chart documents major life events, illnesses, and two aspects of coping across a lifetime. This test is particularly useful for persons with a chronic illnesses. Test results help these persons understand periods of their lives where they were vulnerable to illness as well as other life periods characterized by good health.

The Life Chart - Vincent van Gogh close

Dr. Rahe created a Life Chart for the famous artist Vincent van Gogh. This publication contains several beautiful color plates of van Gogh's paintings. A copy can be obtained (while supplies last) for $20.00 to cover handling and postage fees.

The Life Chart Manual close

In preparation is a Life Chart Manual. When completed, it will present a history of the test as well as provide examples of several completed life charts documenting life stresses, illnesses, accidents, and coping across a lifetime.