Epstein Stress-Management Inventory for Individuals (ESMI-i)
© 2007, 2008 Dr. Robert Epstein  

You're about to take the unabridged version of the Epstein Stress Management Inventory for Individuals (or ESMI-i). This is an inventory of 4 types of skills that are important for everyday and long-term stress management. Most people are able to complete it in less than 10 minutes, and there are no right or wrong answers. Just select the response that seems best.


After you answer the questions, you'll be given a detailed report that will give you your scores and explain what they mean. This is just the start; once you know your ESMI scores, there are many avenues you might pursue to improve your stress-management skills. Games and exercises to strengthen such skills can be found in Dr. Epstein's book, The Big Book of Stress Relief Games, which also includes an abridged, self-scorable version of the ESMI.


If you're a manager, teacher, or supervisor, you might also want to take the manager's version of the ESMI, which looks at 10 types of skills that are important for reducing stress in people for whom you are responsible.


Before we get to the inventory itself, we'll ask you a few basic questions about yourself. Demographic information is being collected for research purposes only and will be kept strictly confidential.


To make sure the scoring is accurate, be sure to fill in all the blanks!


First name and last initial (required):

Age: 

Highest Degree:
None
High School
Associates
College
Masters
Doctorate

Race/Ethnicity:
White
Black
Hispanic
Asian
American Indian
Other

Gender:
Male
Female

Sexual Orientation:
Straight
Gay
Bisexual

How happy and fulfilled are you?
Low   10  High

How much success have you had in your personal life?
Low   10  High

How much success have you had in your professional life?
Low   10  High

How stressed do you generally feel?
Low   10  High

Have you ever been married?
No  Yes

Have you ever been divorced?
No  Yes

Have you had any training in stress management?
No  Yes

If so, approximately how many hours of training have you had?


OPTIONAL: If a therapist, physician or other professional suggested that you take this test, please identify him or her, as well as his or her institutional affiliation.


1. I frequently use special breathing techniques to help me relax.
Agree             Disagree

2. I'm comfortable seeking help from other people.
Agree             Disagree

3. I frequently visualize soothing scenes in order to relax.
Agree             Disagree

4. I have trouble keeping my work area organized.
Agree             Disagree

5. I often reinterpret events in order to lower my stress.
Agree             Disagree

6. I have trouble prioritizing.
Agree             Disagree

7. I keep an up-to-date list of things I'm supposed to do.
Agree             Disagree

8. I ignore hostile people
Agree             Disagree

9. Negative events can always be reinterpreted so that they seem more positive.
Agree             Disagree

10. I regularly examine and try to correct any irrational beliefs I might have.
Agree             Disagree

11. My thinking is as clear and as rational as it can possibly be.
Agree             Disagree

12. I consistently put important tasks ahead of unimportant tasks.
Agree             Disagree

13. I regularly tense and relax my muscles as a way of fighting stress.
Agree             Disagree

14. I sit and stand in special ways to help me stay relaxed.
Agree             Disagree

15. I have a clear picture of how I'd like my life to proceed.
Agree             Disagree

16. I find it hard to make time to relax.
Agree             Disagree

17. I try to fight stress before it starts.
Agree             Disagree

18. I try to avoid destructive ways of dealing with stress.
Agree             Disagree

19. I often try to use humor to diffuse tension.
Agree             Disagree

20. Breathing is a very hard thing to control.
Agree             Disagree

21. I have adequate shelf, file, and drawer space to serve my needs.
Agree             Disagree

22. I spend a few moments each morning planning my day.
Agree             Disagree

23. I'm very vulnerable to stress when it hits.
Agree             Disagree

24. I have trouble delegating.
Agree             Disagree

25. I try to schedule appointments and meetings so that they won't overlap.
Agree             Disagree

26. Reinterpreting events is hard to do.
Agree             Disagree

27. I schedule relaxation time every day.
Agree             Disagree

28. Some of the ways I deal with stress are quite destructive.
Agree             Disagree