Student Name:

Assignment #1: Stress Assessments Worksheet - 20 points

Background and Instructions

In this assignment, you will take four assessments and discuss their results. Assessment #1 is presented in the assignment. Assessments #2, #3, and #4 can be found in your textbook. The four assessments, when taken together, focus on stress sources, behaviors, and symptoms. The intent is to provide an overview of your current stress status and provide an opportunity for you to reflect upon that status. For example, what are your current stressors, how do you behave when under stress, and what symptoms do you exhibit?

You are asked to only record the responses at the end of each Assessment. How you respond to the individual survey questions is private. Completing the four assessments correctly is worth up to 12 points. Your written discussion addressing the items on the last page is worth up to 8 points. There are a total of 20 points possible for this assignment. Once you have completed your assignment, submit it in the appropriate location by the due date. Files ending in .doc, .docx, .rtf or .pdf are required for electronic submissions.

Assessment #1: The Everyday Discrimination and Bullying Scale

This assessment touches on the different types of discrimination and/or bullying that we may experience on a regular or semi-regular basis. This assessment aims to increase awareness regarding how experiences of discrimination and/or bullying may impact an individual’s stress level.

Use the following response options to questions 1-10 below:

Almost everyday

At least once a week

A few times a month

A few times a year

Less than once a year

Never

In your day-to-day life, how often do any of the following things happen to you?
  1. You are treated with less courtesy than other people are.
  2. You are treated with less respect than other people are.
  3. You receive poorer service than other people at restaurants or stores.
  4. People act as if they think you are not smart.
  5. People act as if they are afraid of you.
  6. People act as if they think you are dishonest.
  7. People act as if they’re better than you are.
  8. You are called names or insulted.
  9. You are threatened or harassed.
  10. You are followed around in stores.
Thought question:

If you answered “A few times a year” or more frequently to at least one question above, what do you think is/are the main reason(s) for these experiences?

  • Your Ancestry or National Origins
  • Your Race
  • Your Ethnicity
  • Your Skin Color
  • Your Language Proficiency/Use of English
  • Your Age
  • Your Religion/Spirituality
  • Your Size/Appearance/Athleticism
  • Your Disability Status
  • Your Gender Identity (cisgender, transgender)
  • Your Gender Expression
  • Your Sexual Orientation
  • Your Education or Income Level
  • Your Marital Status
  • Your Veteran Status
  • Your Housing Status
  • Your Criminal Background
  • Your Interests
  • Your Hobbies
  • Other (SPECIFY) ______

Questions to Answer for Assessment #1 (3 points):
  1. How many items did you answer with “a few times a year” or more?
  2. What do you think are the main reasons for these experiences?

Assessment #2: Symptoms of Stress Form

This questionnaire looks at how your stress may be affecting your physical health right now.

Instructions and Questions to Answer for Assessment #2 (3 points):
  1. Complete the Symptoms of Stress Form in your textbook on page 19 (figure 2.2).
  2. List the symptoms of stress that you noticed occurring to you 2-3 times a week or more:

Assessment #3: Perceived Stress Scale

This questionnaire looks at how you experience stress in your life in the last month. This helps you understand how different situations affect our feelings and our perceived stress.

Instructions and Questions to Answer for Assessment #3 (3 points):
  1. Complete the Perceived Stress Scale assessment in your text on page 20 (Figure 2.3).
  2. What was your total score?
  3. Does this mean you have low, moderate, or a high amount of perceived stress?

Assessment #4: Inventory of College Students’ Recent Life Experiences (ICSRLE)

This questionnaire asks about your experiences over the past month that could be potential stressors.

Instructions and Questions to Answer for Assessment #4 (3 points):
  1. Complete the ICSRLE assessment in your text on page 21 (figure 2.4).
  2. What was your total score?
  3. List the items that you marked as a 3, “Very much part of my life”:
Written Discussion to Answer for Assignment #1 (8 points):

Reflect upon the results of the four assessments. Thoroughly and thoughtfully respond to the following questions using the four assessments as a resource. Be sure to include examples and connections to class material and/or outside resources in your answer. If you use outside resources in your response, please cite them.

  1. Based on the assessments and your own prior knowledge, what did you learn about yourself, your level of stress, and how stress affects you? (3 points)
  2. How do you think knowing this about yourself will help you in your life? (3 points)
  3. Which assessment did you find most useful? Why? (2 points)