We have known for some time that there is a relationship between life events and physical health, specifically that negative life events that stress an individual predict negative changes in that person's health. Recently, there has been a puzzling research predict a decline in health. This investigator has found that this occurs when individuals have low self esteem. This suggests that an accumulation of life events that are inconsistent with the self concept may result in illness. These ides form the basis of Brown's identity- disruption model of stress. This research will further test the identity-disruption model of stress by exploring the difference between prominent or salient identities and more peripheral identities in relation to life events. We will then have a better understanding of the complex relationships among life events, self identity, and physical health.
