DesStressful Urban Life Events Scale (SULES)

Description

The Stressful Urban Life Events Scale (SULES) is a psychometric instrument developed to assess the level of stress associated with everyday experiences and challenges of urban living. The scale evaluates the impact of social, economic, and environmental stressors, including traffic congestion, noise, unemployment, crime, overcrowding, and social isolation, on individuals’ psychological well-being and quality of life. By identifying the most significant urban stressors, the SULES provides valuable insights into how city environments influence mental health and overall functioning. The instrument is widely used in psychology, public health, environmental health, sociology, and urban planning research.

Data Analysis

Data obtained from the SULES are analyzed by calculating total and domain-specific scores, descriptive statistics, and psychometric properties. Statistical analyses commonly include assessment of internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha, evaluation of construct validity through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), correlation analyses, group comparisons, and multivariate regression or Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to investigate the relationships between urban stress, mental health, quality of life, and environmental or sociodemographic factors.

Objective

The primary objective of the Stressful Urban Life Events Scale (SULES) is to provide a reliable and valid assessment of stress associated with urban living. The instrument supports the identification of major urban stressors, evaluates their impact on psychological well-being, and contributes to the development of evidence-based interventions and public policies aimed at improving mental health and quality of life in urban communities.

Scoring

The SULES uses a 6-point Likert response scale, with participants rating the level of stress associated with each urban life event from 0 (No Stress) to 5 (Extreme Stress). Individual item scores are summed to produce an overall stress score, with higher scores indicating greater levels of urban-related stress and a stronger perceived impact of urban life events on daily functioning.

References

Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, Appraisal, and Coping. Springer.

Evans, G. W. (2003). The Built Environment and Mental Health. Journal of Urban Health, 80(4), 536–555.

Cohen, S., & Williamson, G. (1988). Perceived Stress in a Probability Sample of the United States. In S. Spacapan & S. Oskamp (Eds.), The Social Psychology of Health. Sage Publications..