Quantitative assessment of stressors and stress reaction: a review

To survey methods for assessing stress and to examine the relationship of stress to health and the factors of lifestyle, we reviewed the literature on stressors and stress reactions. Firstly, we reviewed the representative methods for assessing stressors. Secondly, self-report questionnaires based on a theoretical model of occupational stressors were surveyed and factors in work stress were listed. Then, we reviewed stress reactions including physiological, psychological and behavioral reactions. Finally, we examined the relationship of perceived stress measured by a single question to mental health status determined by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), lifestyles and personality based on the Egogram in Transactional Analysis. It is suggested that we need to assess subjective aspects as well as using objective indices such as data from physical examinations, to evaluate the level of stress and to promote mental health.