Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

How You Measure Up
Stress levels vary among individuals—compare your total 
score to the averages below:
 AGE 
GENDER
18–29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14.2 
Men 
12.1
30–44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13.0 
Women 
13.7
45–54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.6
55–64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11.9
65 & over . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.0
 MARITAL 
STATUS
Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.6
Married or living with a partner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.4
Single or never wed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14.1
Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14.7
Separated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16.6
FIGURE 3 
To get a sense of the level of stress in your life, complete this questionnaire. 
(Source: Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983.)
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478 Chapter 
14 
Health Psychology: Stress, Coping, and Well-Being
Stressor
1. Alarm and mobilization
Meeting 
and
resisting 
stressor.
1. 
Alarm
2. 
Resistance
3. 
Exhaustion
2. Resistance
Coping with stress and
resistance to stressor.
3. Exhaustion
Negative consequences of 
stress (such as illness) occur 
when coping is inadequate.
F
FIGURE 4 
According to the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) model there are three major 
stages to stress responses: alarm and mobilization; resistance; and exhaustion. The graph 
below the illustration shows the degree of eff ort expended to cope with stressors at each of 
the three stages. 
(Source: Selye, 1976.)