The nature and measurement of stress

There cannot be direct physiological measures of stress, only physiological correlates, and the measurement of stress must focus on the individual' s psychological state, as related to their perception of the environment and emotional reaction to it.

Abstract

This paper considers why asking what physiological measures of stress there are is not a sensible question. In so doing, it examines the nature of stress as described by contemporary theories and explores their implications for measurement. It concludes that there cannot be direct physiological measures of stress, only physiological correlates. The measurement of stress must focus on the individual' s psychological state, as related to their perception of the environment and emotional reaction to it ( mood). In discussing the question of measurement, the paper introduces the issues of reliability, validity and fairness, and emphasizes that they should be raised in relation to all types of measure, not just those that are subjective