We describe the development of the Undergraduate Stress Questionnaire (USQ), a life events checklist designed to measure stress among undergraduates. Several studies demonstrate the USQ's validity. The USQ correlates positively with physical symptoms and negatively with mood. Students rated the USQ as the most complete and accurate of four different life events questionnaires. In a panel study, the USQ closely tracked subjective reports of stress, both during the term and finals week. The USQ predicted symptoms more reliably than three other stress measures, controlling for negative affect. Students waiting in the college infirmary score higher on the USQ than students socializing on campus. Finally, we compare the checklist format to subjective scaling, and show the superiority of the checklist version. We discuss the usefulness of the USQ in terms of validity, representativeness, adaptability, brevity, and low confounding with negative affect.

Please check the appropriate stressors in your life that have affected you during the past semester. _____ 1. Death (family member or friend) _____ 2. Had a lot of tests _____ 3. It's finals week _____ 4. Applying to graduate school _____ 5. Victim of a crime _____ 6. Assignments in all classes due the same day _____ 7. Breaking up with boy/girlfriend _____ 8. Found out boy/girlfriend cheated on you _____ 9. Lots of deadlines to meet _____ 10. Property stolen _____ 11. You have a hard upcoming week _____ 12. Went into a test unprepared _____ 13. Lost something (especially wallet) _____ 14. Death of a pet _____ 15. Did worse than expected on test _____ 16. Had an interview _____ 17. Had projects, research papers due _____ 18. Did badly on a test _____ 19. Parents getting divorce _____ 20. Dependent on other people _____ 21. Having roommate conflicts _____ 22. Car/bike broke down, fiat tire _____ 23. Got a traffic ticket _____ 24. Missed your period and waiting _____ 25. Thoughts about future _____ 28. Lack of money _____ 27. Dealt with incompetence at the Register's Office _____ 28. Thought about unfinished work _____ 29. No sleep _____ 30. Sick, Injury _____ 31. Had a class presentation _____ 32. Applying for a job _____ 33. Fought with boy/girlfriend _____ 34. Working while in school _____ 35. Arguments, conflicts of values with friends _____ 36. Bothered by having no social support of family _____ 37. Performed poorly at a task _____ 38. Can't finish everything you needed to do _____ 39. Heard bad news _____ 40. Had confrontation with an authority figure _____ 41. Maintaining a long-distance boy/girlfriend

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