SYMPTOM DISTRESS AND FREQUENCY OF LIFE EVENTS

A study of the frequency of life events was conducted in a group of su bjects selected from the general population over a period of 9 months. Four assessments were made, using an events questionnaire and the Psy chiatric Symptom Index (PSI), at 3-monthly intervals. The results show a significant relationship (maintained over time) between PSI score a nd the number of upsetting events, but no significant relationship bet ween PSI score and non-upsetting events. These observations are interp reted as follows: the higher frequency of upsetting life events is sec ondary to the previous psychological pattern of subjects.