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Clinical Assessment Tools
Symptoms of stress overlap with many of the DSM disorders. When assessing for stress it is important to rule out PTSD, acute stress disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders. Patients may be more receptive to being told that they suffer from stress, as opposed to a DSM diagnosis. (reference) [Fletcher, L., Woodward, L. & O'Donohue, W. (in press). Stress. In J. E. Fisher & W. O'Donohue (Eds.), Practice Guidelines for Evidence Based Psychotherapy. New York: Springer Publishing Company.]
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Clinician Administered Assessment Tools
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Stress is most commonly assessed using self-report scales. However, a clinical interview can be used in conjunction with self-report measures, and should assess the following domains. (reference) [Fletcher, L., Woodward, L. & O'Donohue, W. (in press). Stress. In J. E. Fisher & W. O'Donohue (Eds.), Practice Guidelines for Evidence Based Psychotherapy. New York: Springer Publishing Company.]
- Recent life events
- Frequently occurring stressful situations
- Substance use to self-medicate
- Symptoms of comorbid anxiety, depression, and physical illness
- Functional impairment
- Degree of social support
- Perceived control
- Suicidal ideation and past attempts
- Expression of Type A behaviors
- Appraisal of stressful situations
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Self-Report Assessment Tools
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Stress is most commonly measured using self-report measures (reference). [Fletcher, L., Woodward, L. & O'Donohue, W. (in press). Stress. In J. E. Fisher & W. O'Donohue (Eds.), Practice Guidelines for Evidence Based Psychotherapy. New York: Springer Publishing Company.]
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Derogatis Stress Profile (DSP) A 77-item scale. It is composed of 11 subscales, including time pressure, driven behavior, attitude posture, relaxation potential, role definition, vocational environment, domestic environment, health environment, hostility, anxiety, and depression (reference). [Derogatis, L. R. (1987). The Derogatis Stress Profile (DSP): Quantification of psychological stress. Advances in Psychosomatic Medicine 17, 30-54.] |
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The Hassles and Uplifts Scale Measures respondents attitudes about daily situations defined as "hassles" and "uplifts" (reference). [Lazarus, R. S. & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal and coping. New York: Springer.] |
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Ways of Coping Questionnaire Measures coping processes—not coping dispositions or styles (reference). [Folkman, S. & Lazarus, R. S. (1988). Ways of Coping Questionnaire: Research edition. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.] |
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Stress: A Book of Resources, Volumes I & II Edited by Carlos Zalaquett and Richard Wood For other useful measures for assessing stress. |
