The Stress and Anxiety Research Society (STAR) is a multidisciplinary, international organization of researchers who share an interest in problems of stress, coping, and anxiety. Its members, from more than 35 countries, meet annually to exchange research findings and clinical applications on a wide range of stress and anxiety related phenomena. STAR conferences provide a unique opportunity to learn, not just about stress and anxiety, but also how psychology is studied and practiced throughout the world. STAR has been exceedingly active in providing an opportunity to share research and clinical findings in an international forum.

STAR’s first scientific conference was held in Leiden, The Netherlands in 1980. Since that time, yearly meetings have been hosted by STAR members in some of the worlds most beautiful cities in Germany, Scotland, Belgium, Israel, Norway, Italy, Hungary, Egypt, Spain, and the Czech Republic. These meetings provide a platform for major addresses by internationally known scholars, paper poster sessions, and workshops. The conferences are relatively small, with approximately 150 to 200 participants, which means that close collegial relationships are easily established. Because there is, typically, a high rate of attendance by STAR members, these contacts are readily maintained.

An analysis of the topics presented at STAR, and the countries of origin, was tabulated by Emine Erktin, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey, for the November, 2000, STAR Newsletter, and can be viewed here.

STAR members receive the journal Anxiety, Stress and Coping, an International Journal as part of their membership. This journal, founded by Ralf Schwarzer, Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany, and presently edited by Aleksandra Luszczynska University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, USA, and Mark A. Ellenbogen ,Concordia University, Canada, is a major source for international dissemination of research in anxiety, stress, and coping. Many STAR members serve on the journal’s editorial board, and members are encouraged to consider this journal as a publication outlet.

STAR Constitution:

At the STAR business meeting in London a voting legitimated the constitution.