Citation

McLanahan SS, Sørensen AB. Soc. Sci. Res. 1984; 13(2): 111-128.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1984, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0049-089X(84)90017-6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Longitudinal data, taken from the Michigan Panel Study of Income Dynamics, are used to examine the effect of specific life events on changes in psychological well-being. The paper deals with methodological criticisms raised against past research on life events and addresses several theoretical questions regarding the types of events that are most stressful. The findings indicate that a wide variety of events, including employment related events, residential moves, and household composition changes, are associated with negative changes in psychological well-being and that the context in which events occur is a major factor in determining their effect on psychological status.