Rahe Aims and Context

Hans Selye's research suggested a causal link between psychological stress and physical illness. He found humans are more prone to illness when put under stress. He discovered this through research into lab rats, whereby they gave the same response to stressful events (injection of noxious drugs or surgery), regardless of the stressor. 

Dr Thomas and Hawkins investigated this further. They worked in a TB sanatorium and found that infectious illness was more common among poor people. The emotional effects of poverty increased their vulnerability to physical illness.

Rosenman and Friedman found a link between stress and coronary heart disease. They observed patients with heart conditions in a waiting room, and found they were unable to relax, sit still and…