The Stress Profile™

BY KENNETH M. NOWACK, PH.D.

The Stress Profile quickly identifies individual characteristics and behaviors that protect against or contribute to stress-related illness. In just 20 minutes, the Stress Profile measures all personal traits and lifestyle habits that have been shown to moderate the stress-illness relationship. It is ideal for both clinical and organizational use--for behavioral health or executive coaching programs.

This convenient self-report inventory provides scores in 15 areas related to stress and health risk:

• Stress
• Cognitive Hardiness
• Health Habits Exercise (Rest/Sleep, Eating/Nutrition, Prevention)
• Social Support
• Coping Style (Positive Appraisal, Negative Appraisal, Threat Minimization, Problem Focus)
• Psychological Well-Being
• Type A Behavior

The Stress Profile can be administered and scored--by hand or computer--in just 20 to 30 minutes. Norms are based on an ethnically diverse sample of 1,111 men and women, ages 20 to 68, from various working environments. Measures of response bias and inconsistent responding are also included. Computer scoring gives you a complete interpretive report, which lists Health Risk Alerts and Health Resources for the individual assessed. This lets you see at a glance the areas in which an individual is vulnerable to stress-related illness--and the health resources he or she can draw on to help manage stress. The computer report also includes detailed treatment recommendations for both the individual and the organization.

The Stress Profile is particularly useful to clinicians who must evaluate people with physical and psychosomatic complaints. It also makes an excellent health risk appraisal tool within organizational settings (as part of wellness, stress management, and health promotion programs). Because it is quick and easy to administer, the Stress Profile is ideal for routine use in organizations, outpatient clinics, hospitals, and medical practices.