The correlations between scores on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale and health outcomes may be inflated because subjects' ____ affects both their responses to stress scales and their self-reports of health problems.
A) optimism
B) neuroticism
C) agreeableness
D) conscientiousness

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Neuroticism, which is a tendency to experience negative emotions and become easily overwhelmed by stress, can influence both how individuals rate stressors on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale and how they perceive and report health problems. This common factor underlying both stress ratings and health outcomes can inflate the correlations between them.

The Correlations Between Scores on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale