PSYCHOLOGY - STRESS & COPING
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100+
What is stress, and how is it defined in psychological terms?
Stress is a physical, emotional, or psychological response to
external or internal pressures that challenge an individual's
ability to cope effectively.
Explain the difference between acute and chronic stress.
Acute stress is a short-term response to an immediate threat
or challenge, while chronic stress persists over a prolonged
period and often arises from ongoing situations or
unresolved pressures.
How does the fight-or-flight response relate to stress?
The fight-or-flight response is the body’s automatic
physiological reaction to a perceived threat, activating the
sympathetic nervous system to prepare for either
confronting or escaping the danger.
What role does the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)
axis play in stress response?
The HPA axis regulates the release of cortisol and other
stress hormones, which help the body manage stress by
,increasing energy availability and suppressing non-essential
functions.
Describe the psychological concept of coping.
Coping refers to the cognitive and behavioral strategies
individuals use to manage stressors, reduce their impact, or
address the emotional distress they cause.
What are problem-focused coping strategies, and when are
they most effective?
Problem-focused coping strategies involve addressing the
source of stress directly to eliminate or reduce it, and they
are most effective when the stressor is within the
individual’s control.
What are emotion-focused coping strategies, and in what
situations are they useful?
Emotion-focused coping strategies aim to manage
emotional responses to stress and are particularly useful
when the stressor cannot be changed or avoided.
Explain the role of social support in stress and coping.
Social support provides emotional comfort, practical
,assistance, and a sense of belonging, which can buffer the
negative effects of stress and enhance coping effectiveness.
What is resilience, and how does it relate to stress?
Resilience is the ability to adapt and recover from stressful
events, maintaining mental and emotional well-being
despite challenges.
How do personality traits influence stress and coping
mechanisms?
Personality traits, such as optimism, conscientiousness, and
emotional stability, can shape how individuals perceive
stress and choose coping strategies, affecting their overall
resilience.
What is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), and what
are its stages?
The General Adaptation Syndrome describes the body’s
three-stage response to stress: alarm (initial reaction),
resistance (adaptation and coping), and exhaustion
(depletion of resources).
How does chronic stress affect physical health?
Chronic stress can lead to negative health outcomes,
, including cardiovascular disease, weakened immune
function, gastrointestinal problems, and increased risk of
mental health disorders.
What is the difference between eustress and distress?
Eustress is a positive form of stress that motivates and
enhances performance, while distress is negative stress that
overwhelms and harms mental and physical health.
How does mindfulness help in coping with stress?
Mindfulness involves being fully present and aware without
judgment, reducing stress by promoting relaxation,
enhancing emotional regulation, and decreasing rumination.
What role does cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) play in
managing stress?
CBT helps individuals identify and challenge negative
thought patterns related to stress and develop healthier
coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills.
Explain the concept of stress inoculation training.
Stress inoculation training is a cognitive-behavioral
approach that helps individuals prepare for and manage
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100+
What is stress, and how is it defined in psychological terms?
Stress is a physical, emotional, or psychological response to
external or internal pressures that challenge an individual's
ability to cope effectively.
Explain the difference between acute and chronic stress.
Acute stress is a short-term response to an immediate threat
or challenge, while chronic stress persists over a prolonged
period and often arises from ongoing situations or
unresolved pressures.
How does the fight-or-flight response relate to stress?
The fight-or-flight response is the body’s automatic
physiological reaction to a perceived threat, activating the
sympathetic nervous system to prepare for either
confronting or escaping the danger.
What role does the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)
axis play in stress response?
The HPA axis regulates the release of cortisol and other
stress hormones, which help the body manage stress by
,increasing energy availability and suppressing non-essential
functions.
Describe the psychological concept of coping.
Coping refers to the cognitive and behavioral strategies
individuals use to manage stressors, reduce their impact, or
address the emotional distress they cause.
What are problem-focused coping strategies, and when are
they most effective?
Problem-focused coping strategies involve addressing the
source of stress directly to eliminate or reduce it, and they
are most effective when the stressor is within the
individual’s control.
What are emotion-focused coping strategies, and in what
situations are they useful?
Emotion-focused coping strategies aim to manage
emotional responses to stress and are particularly useful
when the stressor cannot be changed or avoided.
Explain the role of social support in stress and coping.
Social support provides emotional comfort, practical
,assistance, and a sense of belonging, which can buffer the
negative effects of stress and enhance coping effectiveness.
What is resilience, and how does it relate to stress?
Resilience is the ability to adapt and recover from stressful
events, maintaining mental and emotional well-being
despite challenges.
How do personality traits influence stress and coping
mechanisms?
Personality traits, such as optimism, conscientiousness, and
emotional stability, can shape how individuals perceive
stress and choose coping strategies, affecting their overall
resilience.
What is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), and what
are its stages?
The General Adaptation Syndrome describes the body’s
three-stage response to stress: alarm (initial reaction),
resistance (adaptation and coping), and exhaustion
(depletion of resources).
How does chronic stress affect physical health?
Chronic stress can lead to negative health outcomes,
, including cardiovascular disease, weakened immune
function, gastrointestinal problems, and increased risk of
mental health disorders.
What is the difference between eustress and distress?
Eustress is a positive form of stress that motivates and
enhances performance, while distress is negative stress that
overwhelms and harms mental and physical health.
How does mindfulness help in coping with stress?
Mindfulness involves being fully present and aware without
judgment, reducing stress by promoting relaxation,
enhancing emotional regulation, and decreasing rumination.
What role does cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) play in
managing stress?
CBT helps individuals identify and challenge negative
thought patterns related to stress and develop healthier
coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills.
Explain the concept of stress inoculation training.
Stress inoculation training is a cognitive-behavioral
approach that helps individuals prepare for and manage
