Life Transitions

Some of the most stressful life events and transitions can involve the following according to research carried out by Richard Rahe and his research team (2000; 1972):

• Death of a spouse or child
• Divorce
• Marital separation
• Imprisonment
• Death of a close family member
• Personal injury or illness
• Marriage
• Dismissal from work
• Marital reconciliation
• Retirement

The following events were listed as ‘honourable mentions’ to the top 10 most stressful events.

Change in health of family member

• Pregnancy
• Sex difficulties
• Gain of a new family member
• Change in financial state
• Death of a close friend
• Change to a different line of work
• Son or daughter leaving home
• Begin or end school/university
• Change in residence
• Making a major change to sleeping habits
• Making a major change to eating habits

While many well-being commentators emphasise the importance of resilience and positive thinking when these changes happen, this may mask over important areas of psychology including:

• grief over the loss that has taken place (McCollough et al, 2003)

• acceptance that you are probably having to start a new phase of life as a novice and that this will involve a few different perceived failures as you transition; this period of time may involve feelings that mimic anxiety, depression and ongoing stress (Dweck, 1999)

• accepting that identity may evolve over this period (Hayes, Strosahl & WIlson, 2012)

Psychological therapy may assist in life transitions as a way to discuss grief, change and challenges that await. Psychological therapy can also help in determining ways to balance acceptance and change during life transitions.