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The Aetiological Importance of Stressful Life Events

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

D. J. Cooke  and
D. J. Hole
D. J. Cooke
Affiliation:
Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow
D. J. Hole
Affiliation:
Cancer Surveillance Unit, Glasgow
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Summary

Despite a large research effort, there is still some doubt whether life events can increase the rate of psychiatric morbidity. It is argued that this doubt arises from a confusion between measures of goodness of fit and measures of causal importance. The distinction between these types of measures is discussed.

Epidemiological studies of life events and psychiatric cases are reviewed. It is argued that, in general, 32 per cent of psychiatric cases can be attributed to stressful life events. Within female samples, approximately 41 per cent of psychiatric cases can be attributed to life events. It is suggested that the effect of specific types of events on specific psychiatric disorders may be of even greater importance.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 143 , Issue 4 , October 1983 , pp. 397 - 400
Copyright
Copyright © 1983 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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