This assessment is in two parts: The first part helps individuals assess how susceptible they are to stress; the second part helps individuals analyze what coping strategies they can adopt now and in the future to manage pressure and stress.
Part 1:How
susceptible
are you to stress?
Rate yourself against each of the following statements:
5 = Agree strongly. This is very characteristic of me. I almost always do this.
4 = Agree. This is usually characteristic of me. I usually do this.
3 = Agree slightly. This is somewhat characteristic of me. I do this sometimes.
2 = Disagree. This is not very characteristic of me. I usually do not do this.
1 = Disagree strongly. This is not at all characteristic of me. I almost never do this.
Statement
Rating
1. I need others’ approval of the work I do.
2. I play to win.
3. I feel busy and rushed.
4. I strive to achieve the goals and targets I have set for myself for the future.
5. My body language is quick and energetic.
6. Work is the main focus of my life.
7. I speak quickly and with emphasis.
8. If I am annoyed, I internalize it and cannot express myself appropriately.
9. I have a tendency to fidget.
10. I juggle lots of tasks.
11. I hurry from one task to another.
12. I am never late for appointments.
13. I need to make things happen.
14. I tend to talk over other people.
15. Quantity is more important to me than quality.
Add the ratings for question 1-15 and enter total here.
Now rate yourself against the following statements, this time using a different scoring system:
1 = Agree strongly. This is very characteristic of me. I almost always do this.
2 = Agree. This is usually characteristic of me. I usually do this.
3 = Agree slightly. This is somewhat characteristic of me. I do this sometimes.
4 = Disagree. This is not very characteristic of me. I usually do not do this.
5 = Disagree strongly. This is not at all characteristic of me. I almost never do this.
Statement
Rating
16. I take things one at a time.
17. I am a listener rather than a talker.
18. If I’m late for an appointment, it’s not the end of the world.
19. I feel relaxed and in control.
20. I have a “laid back” approach to getting things done.
21. I can wait without getting impatient.
22. I have a wide variety of interests outside work.
23. I speak slowly and moderately.
24. I judge my work by my own standards, not those of others.
25. I am not competitive.
26. My body language is considered and relaxed.
27. I live in the here and now.
28. My friends see me as easygoing.
29. When I am angry, I express my feelings appropriately.
30. Quality is more important to me than quantity.
Add the ratings for question 16-30 and enter total here.
Add the totals for questions 1-15 and questions 16-30.
INTERPRETINGyour scores
Type B: 30—60
Type AB: 61—117
Type A: 120—150
Those most susceptible to stress are Type As. Type A people are always on the go, set themselves high targets, and drive themselves hard.
Type B people have a relaxed, happy-go-lucky approach, and they live in the here and now. They are least likely to be affected by stress.
Type AB people are a combination of both types. They can drive themselves hard at times, but they can also relax and take things easy. They are susceptible to stress when A tendencies overcome the Bs!
PART 2: strategies to combat stress
Read the statements below. Check all that apply.
When dealing with problems, do you:
confront the people involved?
think it through?
change the way you work?
When expressing your feelings, do you:
talk about the stressful situations?
write about them?
express openly how you are feeling?
In regards to activities, do you:
have interests and hobbies?
enjoy physical exercise?
help other people
In regards to looking after yourself, do you:
have proper rest and diet?
give yourself treats?
recognize your own achievements?
Now consider those strategies that you could start to use more in the future. Ideally, you should have at least one checkmark in each box.
Reproduced by permission from HRD Press, Inc., Compendium of Questionnaires and Inventories, Volume 2, Cook, Sarah.
