Checklist pinpoints stress sources

Several years ago a British researcher, Dr. Roger Tredgold, observed some common sources of stress that he called the DEFGH factors. The letters stand for background causes of anxiety. Let’s review the DEFGH items one at a time.

 Domestic difficulties


Individuals who live in a family situation – whether married, divorced, together as parents or as a single parent in the home – know the potential for domestic stress. Marital discord, the ups and downs of adolescence, tense atmospheres, domestic drudgery, demanding live-in relatives, illnesses, money troubles or even a combination of situations can produce domestic difficulties culminating in stress. In today’s society with a wide variety of work patterns, responsibilities, interests and activities, it is extremely difficult to keep harmony in the home and between the individuals living there. Some adults grew up in violent homes. Others had protected homes and disagreements between parents were never heard in their presence.

 Employment problems.

Difficulties such as work overload, underpayment, hazardous duties, the possibility of layoffs, supervision of certain employees, difficulties with a supervisor or boss or unreasonable and unrealistic goals often occur at work. Different personalities working together may encounter tension that leads to stress. Service-type professionals who have to please other people often also risk burnout.

 Financial worries.

Budgets, unexpected expenses and the ripple effect from financial upsets are well known to many of us. Sometimes an individual continually feels short of money. At other times the difficulty may be episodic, with the worries occurring at seemingly unpredictable intervals. Business setbacks, high interest rates and inflation all lead to financial stress. Some individuals have never learned how to budget money and save for the future. Others scrimp, making life stressful for other family members.

 Group activity deficiency.

Lack of a social support network such as friends and family can be a great source of stress. Withdrawal and isolation frequently are significant components in stress and emotional difficulties. Being involved with a strong social support network has been found to be the most important variable in helping people manage stress. Without a network, significant difficulties arise. A support network can be a sounding board, can relieve tension by serving as a listener and can be a model for change.

 Health problems.

Both chronic and acute difficulties certainly cause stress. One difficulty encountered by many aging individuals is recognizing that their health is failing or a health condition is worsening. Losing a loved one or experiencing a breakdown in one’s mental health increases the development of stress. The old saying that anything is tolerable with good mental and physical health has strong merit. Research is showing that brain has healing power and individuals with a good attitude and a fighting spirit often have dealt with the stress-accompanying illness and sped up the recovery time.

The DEFGH test or checklist might be valuable for all of us to take to help pinpoint stress sources and to work on that aspect of handling it. Stress is unavoidable in many instances, but our ways of handling it and coping determine whether we fight it or flee from it.

Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1988