Hassles and uplifts: including interpersonal events

Abstract

An examination of hassle and uplift scale factor structures and checklists from daily diary research revealed a paucity of interpersonal events on the former. In addition, interpersonal positive and negative events were found to be prominent predictors of distress and well-being outcomes in diary research. Using Lazarus and Folkman's appraisal model of stress this paper illustrates day to day interpersonal events as important inclusions on hassle and uplift scales and as predictors underlying the person–environment relationship. The study (n = 124) examined the predictive utility of including a range of interpersonal events to one of the most commonly used hassle and uplift measures (developed by Delongis et al.) in the literature. Four outcomes, encapsulating distress and well-being concepts were used. The Perceived Stress (PSS) and Satisfaction with Life Scales (SWLS) measure global concepts of perceived distress and life satisfaction and the Positive and Negative Affect Scales (PANAS) allowed for investigation of events with dichotomous distress and well-being outcomes. Regression analyses ordered the entry of the interpersonal events to follow the Delongis measures and a new group of events relevant to a University student population. The results supported the notion that groups of both positive and negative interpersonal events were important measures over and above other hassles and uplifts (including the Delongis measure). These findings in combination with diary research suggest that current hassle and uplift scales may inadequately measure daily interpersonal sources of distress and well-being.