Stressors, Types of

Stressors are a wide range of conditions and experiences with the potential to challenge the adaptive capacities of individuals. Stressors represent a distinct part of the stress model and come in a variety of types. As our knowledge of the stress process has increased, and the number of stressors often investigated has grown, the classes of stressors that researchers utilize have grown in number, magnitude, and complexity. The traditional distinction between acute and chronic stressors has developed into a typology that includes daily hassles, traumas, and macro-stressors. We highlight the challenges associated with classifying stressors: most notably, avoiding the pitfalls of confounding stressors and outcomes.

Duke Scholars

Author Scott Michael Lynch Sociology