Measuring Stress A Guide for Health and Social Scientists

by Cohen, Sheldon; Kessler, Ronald C.; Gordon, Lynn Underwood

• ISBN13: 9780195086416
• ISBN10: 0195086414
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1995-01-05
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Measuring Stress is the definitive resource for health and social scientists interested in assessing stress in humans. With contributions from leading experts, this work provides for the first time a unified conceptual overview of the intricate relationship between stress and a variety ofdisorders. Its interdisciplinary approach to the selection of appropriate environmental, psychological, and biological measures includes comprehensive evaluations and practical advice regarding a wide range of measurement approaches. For environmental stress, techniques such as checklists andinterviews that measure life event, daily event, and chronic stress are discussed. An analysis of psychological measurements includes methods for assessing stress appraisal and affective response. Neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, and immune measures are examined as important biological stressassessments. Contributors also uncover the conceptual underpinnings of each approach as well as the various costs and benefits of available assessment techniques. Reflecting the diversity of theoretical conceptions of stress, Measuring Stress masterfully provides integrative, incisive guidelinesthat will prove invaluable to students, clinicians, and researchers in health and social psychology, medicine, nursing, epidemiology, sociology, and psychiatry.

Table of Contents

Conceptualizing Stress and Its Relation to Disease

Strategies for Measuring Stress in Studies of Psychiatric and Physical Disorders

Environmental Perspectives

Checklist Measurement of Stressful Life Events

Interview Measurement of Stressful Life Events

Daily and Within-day Event Measurement

Measurement of Chronic Stressors

Psychological Perspectives

Measurement of Stress Appraisal

Measurement of Affective Response

: Biological Perspectives

Measurement of Stress Hormones

Measurement of Cardiovascular Response

Measurement of Immune Response

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