Table 1 Severity of psychosocial stressors in adults: DSM-III-R axis IV [4].
| Â | Examples of psychosocial stressors in adulthood | |
|---|---|---|
Severity | Acute events | Enduring circumstances |
None | None | None |
Mild | Broke up with boyfriend/girlfriend | Family arguments |
| Â | Started or graduated from school | Job dissatisfaction |
| Â | Child left home | Residence in high-crime region |
Moderate | Marriage | Marital discord |
| Â | Marital separation | Serious financial problems |
| Â | Loss of job | Trouble with boss |
| Â | Miscarriage | Being a single parent |
Severe | Divorce | Unemployment |
| Â | Birth of first child | Poverty |
Extreme | Death of spouse | Serious chronic illness |
| Â | Serious physical illness diagnosed | Ongoing physical or sexual abuse |
| Â | Victim of rape | Â |
Catastrophic | Death of child | Captivity as hostage |
| Â | Suicide of spouse | Concentration camp experience |
| Â | Devastating natural disaster | Â |