Rahe- Aims and Context/ methodology

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Why can Rahe's study be placed in social and historical context?
In the 1960s many people believed that life was becoming more stressful. Eg. family breakup, work stress and divorces more common. Does this break down immune system? So we need to reduce stress so there are fewer heart attacks etc.
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How can Rahe's research be placed in an academic context?
In 1967 they looked at the records of over 5000 patients and created a list of 43 life events that occurred before illness. Pps gave them a score to say if they were more or less stressful than marriage. The events were then weighted.
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Who was selye?
He researched on rats, suggesting that stress leads to a breakdown of the immune system which is what Rahe aimed to test with humans (prospectively).
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Reliability
:-) standardised procedures, same questionnaire, same time (every 6 months for 2 years prior to duty on ship), double blind
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External Validity
:-( Not everyday life, lack mundane realism as sailors would not normally have to go for a health check. No generalisations as not general population. :-) Situations such as prisons this is the case and this was in real life- they were actual sailors
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Sampling
:-) Large sample (2664) :-( Only 3 ships, all men, all young (mean age 22.3), all in navy.
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Data
:-) Quantitative- 0.118 correlation, least stressed had a score of 1.434 illnesses, most stressed had a score of 2.049 illnesses. :-( Qualitative- is none.
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Ethics
:-) Names of the pps was kept confidential so it was not possible to trace an illness to a sailor. :-( pps did not give consent- might not want personal information to be used (adds strength as they were blind)- in military so given up rights?
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How can Rahe's research be placed in an academic context?

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In 1967 they looked at the records of over 5000 patients and created a list of 43 life events that occurred before illness. Pps gave them a score to say if they were more or less stressful than marriage. The events were then weighted.

Card 3

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Who was selye?

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Card 4

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Reliability

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Card 5

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External Validity

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