The Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale (PSLES) is a tool used in psychology to assess the impact of major life events on an individual's stress levels. It consists of a checklist of various life events that are considered potentially stressful, such as death of a loved one, divorce, job loss, or serious illness. The scale is designed to help researchers and practitioners identify and measure the cumulative stress experienced by individuals based on the occurrence and severity of these events. Each event on the scale is assigned a specific weight or score based on its perceived impact on stress levels. By summing up the scores associated with the events, practitioners can estimate the overall stress load experienced by an individual over a given period. The PSLES provides valuable insights into the stressors individuals encounter and can aid in understanding the relationship between major life events and psychological well-being.

Which of the following life events has the highest mean stress score on the Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale?

Death of a close family member Unexpected accident or trauma Illness of a family member Break-up with friend

Death of a close family member

The life event "Death of a close family member" has the highest mean stress score of 66. This indicates that it is perceived as one of the most severe and stressful life events.