On the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, which event has a Life Change Unit score of 100?

• A. Divorce
• B. Death of a spouse
• C. Major illness
• D. Marriage

Answer: (B)

The Social Readjustment Rating Scale uses Life Change Units to quantify how stressful a single life event is, with higher units indicating greater potential stress and health impact. The event assigned the highest score, 100 units, is the death of a spouse. This event represents a profound disruption to daily life, emotional well-being, social support, and practical responsibilities, which is why it sits at the top of the scale and is considered the most stressful single life event. The other events listed—divorce, major illness, and marriage—are still stressful and do impact life, but they have lower Life Change Unit scores, reflecting comparatively lesser immediate disruption.