The measurement of stress, arousal and power : alternate and expanded versions of the Stress Arousal Check List

Abstract

The Stress Arousal Check List (SACL) a 30-item adjective check list developed through factor analytical studies (Mackay, Cox, Burrows and Lazzerini, 1978), offers assessments of two independent mood factors, stress and arousal. In this study, an alternate form of the SACL, the Check List of Arousal and Stress (CLAS), is presented. Each item of the CLAS is a short, simple phrase rather than a synonym, for the SACL's somewhat dificult adjectives.

The ltierature indicates that a two factor theory of stress is inadequate and suggests a third and independent factor of stress, that is, power or strength/weakness. A power scale, of fifteen short phrases, is presented which measures this factor independently of stress and arousal. Combining this scale with the CLAS items provides a three factor measure of stress, the Check List of Arousal, Stress and Power (CLASP).

In combination with the responses to the CLAS, the power scale responses were factor analyzed to determine whether the power scale measures a new and independent factor. The analysis did yield six monopolar factors, high stress, low stress, high arousal, low arousal, high power, low power, indicating that the new scale measured power independently of stress and arousal.

SACL and CLAS scores of stress and arousal were obtained and these scores were significantly correlated (p <001).