Life events do not predict symptoms: symptoms predict symptoms.

The effects of life events and previous symptoms on current symptom levels were examined in a model using data from a 3-year prospective study. Male psychiatric patients and nonpatients reported on life events and symptoms every 2 months on 18 occasions. Logistic regression analysis of these data revealed little dependence of psychiatric symptoms on preceding life events as measured by the Holmes and Rahe Schedule of Recent Experiences (SRE). The best predictor of the current symptom level was the level of previous symptoms. It is concluded that efforts to relate changes in the social environment to health must first consider the possible contribution of the antecedent symptom level to the variability in health outcome.