Definitions of Stress and Stressors

Definitions of Stress

• Hans Selye (1950, 1976) defined stress as the non-specific response of the body to any demand.
• Cofer and Appley (1964) defined stress as the state of an organism when it perceives its well-being (or integrity) is endangered.
• Cohen, Kessler, and Gordon (1997) defined stress as a process where environmental demands exceed an organism's capacity to adapt, resulting in psychological and biological changes.
• Carson, Butcher, and Mineka (2000) defined stressors as adjustive demands and the effects they create in an organism.
• Sarason and Sarason (2002) defined stress as negative emotional experiences with behavioral, biochemical, and physiological changes related to perceived challenges.

Stress and Stressors

• Stress refers to pressure or force on a body.
• Stressors are sources of stress—exam pressures, social relationship issues, life changes (death, divorce, job loss), daily hassles (traffic, noise), and extreme temperatures.
• Distress is a state of physical or mental pain or suffering.
• Some stress is healthy to maintain alertness.
• Prolonged or intense stress can overtax coping ability, causing anxiety, depression, and physical symptoms like fatigue and headaches.
• The American Psychological Association found that 43% of adult Americans report adverse health effects from stress (2006).

Mind-Body Relationship

• The mind and body are closely intertwined.
• Descartes (17th century) believed in dualism (separation of mind and body).
• Modern science recognizes the influence of psychological factors on physical health and vice versa.
• Health psychologists study the interrelationships between psychological factors and physical health.