Life Changes

• What is a weakness of the life changes approach?

  It ignores that life events have different significance for different people.
• How can the death of a spouse affect individuals differently?

  The untimely death of a loved spouse can devastate the surviving partner, while the death of an elderly spouse after a long illness may be less stressful.
• Why might a child leaving home be perceived differently by different parents?

  For some parents, it may be a minor stress, while for others, it could be a major stressor.
• What is one limitation of research into life events and illness?

  It relies on retrospective data.
• Why is the recall of life events significant in research?

  Because it may not be accurate and can affect results.
• What is a limitation of the life changes approach regarding individual differences?

  It fails to take into account individual differences in the perception of stresses.
• How does neuroticism affect the recall of life events?

  People with higher levels of neuroticism are more likely to recall more negative events.
• Can the life changes theory be applied equally to everyone?

  No, it cannot be applied equally to everyone.
• What impact does inaccurate recall have on research findings?

  It reduces the internal validity and reliability of the findings.
• What have most researchers reported regarding retrospective reporting of life events?

  They have reported acceptable levels of reliability.
• What did Hardt et al. (2006) study regarding childhood abuse?

  • Interviewed 100 patients with a history of childhood abuse
  • Time lag of 2.2 years between interviews
  • Assessed reliability of reports on family situation and abuse
  • Results showed moderate-to-good reliability of recall for most childhood experiences
• What types of abuse were assessed in Hardt et al.'s study?

  Physical and sexual abuse.
• What was the reliability of reports regarding family situations in Hardt et al.'s study?

  The reliability was assessed as moderate-to-good.
• What is a strength of the life changes approach?

  It has practical applications.
• How have researchers used the life changes approach in relation to suicide?

  They have used it to explain the causes of suicide.
• What were the main causal factors identified in the study of suicide victims in Finland?

  Changes in life events such as family discord, death, divorce, or financial problems.
• Why is the research on life events significant?

  It helps in understanding factors contributing to stress and supporting people during stressful times.
• What insights have been gained from research on life events in relation to psychological problems?

  • Understanding factors contributing to stress
  • Insights into supporting individuals during stressful times
  • Application of findings to various psychological problems
• What type of research has generated insights into psychological problems?

  Research on life events.
• How can the findings from life changes research be utilized?

  They can be used to help individuals facing psychological problems.
• What is one limitation of research into life events and illness?

  Daily hassles may be a better measure of stress
• What did Anita DeLongis et al. (1988) study regarding stress?

  • Studied 75 married couples
  • Used a life events questionnaire
  • Used a Hassles and Uplifts Scale
  • Found no relationship between life events and health
  • Found a significant positive correlation between hassles and next-day health problems
• What health problems were associated with daily hassles in the study by DeLongis et al.?

  Flu, sore throats, headaches, and backaches
• Why are daily hassles considered more significant for most people according to Lazarus?

  Because major life changes are relatively rare in the lives of most people
• What approach may be preferable for understanding the causes of illness?

  The 'daily hassles' approach
• How many month period and how many suicide victims

  3 month and 219 victims