Stress and health—little hassles vs. major life events

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Abstract
This study investigated the notion that the daily stresses we all experience impact more profoundly on health than do the more major life events. Questionnaire data were collected from 203 respondents within the Geelong community using a stratified sampling technique. It was predicted that the “hassle” means in this Australian sample would be similar to the “hassle” means obtained in two American studies. However, it was expected that the pattern of hassles would be different between the Australian and American studies because the Australian research used a broader demographic sample. With reference to the American results it was predicted that hassles would relate more strongly to psychological and somatic health than major life events. These predictions were all supported. Hassles did impact on health more significantly than did life events, and the hassle‐health relationship held across a broader demographic sample than those used in the American studies. Indications are that research in this area has the potential to contribute significantly to the fields of stress reduction and health promotion.