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Psychometric properties of the weekly stress inventory (WSI): Extension to a patient sample with coronary heart disease

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Abstract

The psychometric characteristics of the Weekly Stress Inventory (WSI) were examined in a sample of medical patients (N=84) diagnosed with coronary heart disease. In addition to the WSI, patients completed measures assessing recent depressive symptoms, physical symptoms, Type A behavior, and trait anxiety. Patients also monitored stress for 3 weeks (n=46), completing the Daily Stress Inventory (a measure of minor stress) daily and the WSI at concurrent 1-week intervals. Results indicated that the WSI is an internally consistent and moderately stable measure. Validity of the WSI was supported by (a) strong correlations with a concurrently administered measure of minor stress (concurrent validity); (b) significant positive correlations with measures assessing recent depressive symptoms, physical symptoms, and Type A behavior; and (c) a lack of relationship with a measure of trait anxiety (discriminant validity).

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Author notes

  1. David A. Wittrock

    Present address: North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota

  2. Janette L. Seville

    Present address: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Hanover, New Hampshire

  3. Thomas H. Mosley Jr.

    Present address: Department of Medicine (Geriatrics), University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, 39216-4505, Jackson, Mississippi

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi

    Thomas H. Mosley Jr., Thomas J. Payne, Joseph J. Plaud, Cheryl A. Johnson, David A. Wittrock, Janette L. Seville & Donald B. Penzien

  2. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi

    Thomas J. Payne, Joseph J. Plaud, David A. Wittrock, Janette L. Seville & Gaston Rodriguez

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  1. Thomas H. Mosley Jr.
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Mosley, T.H., Payne, T.J., Plaud, J.J. et al. Psychometric properties of the weekly stress inventory (WSI): Extension to a patient sample with coronary heart disease. J Behav Med 19, 273–287 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01857769

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