Money is a pretty big stressor for many people, probably because it ties into so many other stressors, but research suggests that the “top ten” stressors are:
- Loss of a partner (death, divorce, separation)
- Imprisonment
- Death of a close family member
- Major personal injury or illness
- Marriage or reconciliation with a partner (That’s supposed to be a good thing!)
- Being fired from a job
- Retirement from work
- Major change in the health or behavior of a family member
- Pregnancy
- Sexual difficulties
Looking at a list of stressors compiled by psychologists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe back in 1967, I am struck by the number that at least somewhat relate to money. For example, I wonder how much money factors into the stress caused by the death of a spouse, or divorce/marital separation, or even to imprisonment, and how the researchers would have controlled for that.
I’ve always understood that moving is a major life-stressor, but that is actually pretty low on the list, at 20 “life change units.”
This research was done back in the 60s, which makes me wonder if it has been updated.