Bodily changes in pain, hunger, fear, and rage. To sum the diverse definitions of stress and the degree to which these definitions are rooted within the trajectory of research and theory development, Fink 2016 is a good overview of the different definitions of stress and how it is related to psychological experiences like fear and anxiety.Ĭannon, W. B. Mason 1975 proposes that a single term of stress is too vague and suggested that there be distinctions based on external challenges (i.e., stressors), psychophysiological responses (i.e., strain) and the interaction of the stimulus, responses, and appraisal processes (i.e., stress). Here a stimulus–response definition is endorsed but modified in the degree to which the stressor is acute or chronic and intermittent or in sequence. Elliot and Eisdorfer 1982 approaches the task of defining stress by categorizing the types of stressors relative to the time they are experienced. Other works such as Kaplan 1983 have further elaborated on the psychological context of stress to define stress in terms of the psychological and behavioral consequences that result from the inability of one distance oneself from undesirable circumstances. Stress is experienced as a result of an imbalance between the demands put forth by one’s environmental context and the degree to which one is able to meet those demands. McGrath 1970, for example, summarizes the stress research in a way that defines stress from the context of imbalance. The introduction of this definition expanded the study of stress in a way that acknowledged the psychological and social contexts in addition to the physiological context of stress. Other theorists challenged the notion that stress was only a stimulus-response system rooted in physiology and went on identify stress as a process that requires appraisal of the stressor and the resources available to meet the demands of the stressor ( Lazarus 1966). Cannon 1929 was one of the first studies to describe stress within a physiological context noting that stress is the body’s nonspecific response to stimuli in an attempt to restore homeostasis. The definition of stress has evolved in accordance with research and theory development. Stress, although universally experienced, is defined differently depending on theoretical context. We would like to acknowledge Samantha Lee for her assistance with this project.

In so doing, we will provide sources and commentary on the definitions of stress, main theories of stress, categories of stressors, consequences of stress, definitions of coping, main theories of coping, coping styles and strategies, assessment of coping, descriptions of coping processes, coping functions and goals, coping resources, and coping and stress management interventions. We review the psychology of stress and coping as it presents itself in the current evolving research and theoretical development, documenting historical, theoretical, and methodological perspectives on stress and coping. Our understanding of how individuals cope with stress has advanced to include perception of one’s ability to cope, approach to coping, assessment and utilization of coping resources available, and enacting of strategies. Applying the study of the mind and behavior to a concept such as stress and coping has led to an evolving definition of stress, more research on its physical, psychological and social effects, and the development of comprehensive ways in which individuals cope with stress. The psychology of stress and coping has been a prominent topic of scientific study and of popular interest over the last century.

Lazarus definition of stress