Sex Differences and Life Event Experiences

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between the sex of subject and life event experiences. A sample of 90 adult-psychiatric out-patients were administered the Social Readjustment Rating Scale. The range of scores indicating the magnitude of life crisis were used to assess exposure to stress. The results indicated that a majority (75.6%) of the subjects had experienced considerable stress in the year prior to seeking treatment. While there was no significant difference between the sexes in over-all life-event stress scores, a difference was found in the frequency with which men and women experienced seven of the life events. Males reported more involvements with the law (jail, law violations) and more vocational (work, business readjustments) related experiences, whereas, females reported more personal (injury, illness, change in family) events.