Abstract
We investigated the impact of frequently occurring minor stressors (hassles) upon health status in a sample of low-income, elderly persons with osteoar-thritis. These individuals are characterized by conditions which are precursors to experiencing stress. Using a modified Hassles scale, we replicated some important findings in a sample demographically distinct from earlier studies on hassles. Specifically, (a) hassles were better predictors of health status than major life change events, and (b) the influence of life change events was indirect, i.e., it increased hassles, which in turn, negatively affected health status. Furthermore, hassles correlated strongly with validated indicators of health status. By replicating earlier studies in a demographically dissimilar sample, and by finding significant correlations between hassles and valid physical health measures, we have strengthened the conceptual development of hassles.
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This research was supported by Grant PHS P60 AM 20582 from the Multipurpose Arthritis Center. The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. David Marrero and two anonymous reviewers for their helpful suggestions on early drafts of the manuscript.
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Weinberger, M., Hiner, S.L. & Tierney, W.M. In support of hassles as a measure of stress in predicting health outcomes. J Behav Med 10, 19–30 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00845125
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00845125