Measurement of stress and arousal: validation of the stress/arousal adjective checklist.

It is suggested that, although often confounded, the mood states of stress and arousal may be independent, and that they may have different psychological consequences. The present investigation demonstrated the ability of a stress/arousal adjective checklist to differentiate between groups of people subject to different potentially stressful situations. The results are interpreted as suggesting that two distinct responses to a perceived demand are possible. Elevated arousal is associated with a coping response, whilst elevated stress appears to indicate the presence of fear or doubts about coping.