NUR2459 Mental and Behavioral Health Nursing - Chapter 1 The
Concept of Stress Adaptation-Questions with Correct Answers/
Verified/ latest Update (2024/2025)
Adaptation
A Adaptation is the process by which an individual's response to change results in
preservation of individual integrity or timely return to equilibrium.
Maladaptation
Maladaptation is the process by which an individual's response to change results in
disruption of individual integrity or in persistent disequilibrium.
Stressor
A biological, psychological, social, or chemical factor that causes physical or
emotional tension and may contribute to the development of certain illnesses.
Adaptive responses
Roy (1976), a nursing theorist, defined an adaptive response as behavior that
maintains the integrity of the individual. Adaptation is viewed as positive and is
correlated with a healthy response.
Maladaptive responses
When behavior disrupts the integrity of the individual, it is perceived as maladaptive.
Maladaptive responses by the individual are considered to be harmful or unhealthy.
Fight-or-flight syndrome
Stress as a Biological Response:
- Hans Selye's research in 1956 pioneered the understanding of the physiological
response to imposed changes, evolving his definition of stress to encompass
nonspecifically induced changes within a biological system.
- Stress manifests as a specific syndrome known as the fight-or-flight syndrome,
characterized by various physiological changes.
- Selye termed this phenomenon the general adaptation syndrome, consisting of
three stages:
1. Alarm reaction stage: Initiation of physiological responses akin to the fight-or-
flight response.
2. Stage of resistance: Utilization of physiological responses as a defense
mechanism to adapt to stressors; successful adaptation may prevent or delay
progression to the next stage.
3. Stage of exhaustion: Occurs with prolonged exposure to stressors, leading to
depletion of adaptive energy and emergence of diseases of adaptation; without
intervention, exhaustion and potentially death may ensue.
General adaptation syndrome
, Selye's concept of physiological response stages to stress.
Stress manifests as a specific syndrome known as the fight-or-flight syndrome,
characterized by various physiological changes.
- Selye termed this phenomenon the general adaptation syndrome, consisting of
three stages:
1. Alarm reaction stage: Initiation of physiological responses akin to the fight-or-
flight response.
2. Stage of resistance: Utilization of physiological responses as a defense
mechanism to adapt to stressors; successful adaptation may prevent or delay
progression to the next stage.
3. Stage of exhaustion: Occurs with prolonged exposure to stressors, leading to
depletion of adaptive energy and emergence of diseases of adaptation; without
intervention, exhaustion and potentially death may ensue.
Precipitating event
Event triggering stress reaction in individuals.A precipitating event is a stimulus
arising from the internal or external environment and perceived by the individual in a
specific manner
Predisposing factors
Factors increasing susceptibility to stress reactions.
Adaptive coping strategies
Strategies aiding in stress management and adaptation.
Stress as a Biological Response
Physiological response to imposed changes in a biological system.
Stress as an Environmental Event
View of stress as an event in the environment affecting individuals.
Stress as a Transaction Between the Individual and the Environment
Concept of stress involving interaction between individual and environment.
Stress Management
Methods and strategies to cope with and reduce stress.
Adaptive Response
Behavior maintaining individual integrity, viewed as positive.
Physiological responses to stress
Body's reactions to stress, impacting biological processes.
Diseases of adaptation
Illnesses resulting from prolonged exposure to stress.
Alarm reaction stage
Concept of Stress Adaptation-Questions with Correct Answers/
Verified/ latest Update (2024/2025)
Adaptation
A Adaptation is the process by which an individual's response to change results in
preservation of individual integrity or timely return to equilibrium.
Maladaptation
Maladaptation is the process by which an individual's response to change results in
disruption of individual integrity or in persistent disequilibrium.
Stressor
A biological, psychological, social, or chemical factor that causes physical or
emotional tension and may contribute to the development of certain illnesses.
Adaptive responses
Roy (1976), a nursing theorist, defined an adaptive response as behavior that
maintains the integrity of the individual. Adaptation is viewed as positive and is
correlated with a healthy response.
Maladaptive responses
When behavior disrupts the integrity of the individual, it is perceived as maladaptive.
Maladaptive responses by the individual are considered to be harmful or unhealthy.
Fight-or-flight syndrome
Stress as a Biological Response:
- Hans Selye's research in 1956 pioneered the understanding of the physiological
response to imposed changes, evolving his definition of stress to encompass
nonspecifically induced changes within a biological system.
- Stress manifests as a specific syndrome known as the fight-or-flight syndrome,
characterized by various physiological changes.
- Selye termed this phenomenon the general adaptation syndrome, consisting of
three stages:
1. Alarm reaction stage: Initiation of physiological responses akin to the fight-or-
flight response.
2. Stage of resistance: Utilization of physiological responses as a defense
mechanism to adapt to stressors; successful adaptation may prevent or delay
progression to the next stage.
3. Stage of exhaustion: Occurs with prolonged exposure to stressors, leading to
depletion of adaptive energy and emergence of diseases of adaptation; without
intervention, exhaustion and potentially death may ensue.
General adaptation syndrome
, Selye's concept of physiological response stages to stress.
Stress manifests as a specific syndrome known as the fight-or-flight syndrome,
characterized by various physiological changes.
- Selye termed this phenomenon the general adaptation syndrome, consisting of
three stages:
1. Alarm reaction stage: Initiation of physiological responses akin to the fight-or-
flight response.
2. Stage of resistance: Utilization of physiological responses as a defense
mechanism to adapt to stressors; successful adaptation may prevent or delay
progression to the next stage.
3. Stage of exhaustion: Occurs with prolonged exposure to stressors, leading to
depletion of adaptive energy and emergence of diseases of adaptation; without
intervention, exhaustion and potentially death may ensue.
Precipitating event
Event triggering stress reaction in individuals.A precipitating event is a stimulus
arising from the internal or external environment and perceived by the individual in a
specific manner
Predisposing factors
Factors increasing susceptibility to stress reactions.
Adaptive coping strategies
Strategies aiding in stress management and adaptation.
Stress as a Biological Response
Physiological response to imposed changes in a biological system.
Stress as an Environmental Event
View of stress as an event in the environment affecting individuals.
Stress as a Transaction Between the Individual and the Environment
Concept of stress involving interaction between individual and environment.
Stress Management
Methods and strategies to cope with and reduce stress.
Adaptive Response
Behavior maintaining individual integrity, viewed as positive.
Physiological responses to stress
Body's reactions to stress, impacting biological processes.
Diseases of adaptation
Illnesses resulting from prolonged exposure to stress.
Alarm reaction stage
