STRESS & COPING QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100+
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 What is stress, and how is it defined in
psychological terms?
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 stress through
education, skill development, and controlled exposure to
stressors.
, What are the physiological effects of stress on the cardiovascular
system?
Stress increases heart rate and blood pressure, which, if
sustained, can contribute to hypertension, atherosclerosis, and
other cardiovascular issues.
How does exercise contribute to stress reduction?
Exercise reduces stress by releasing endorphins, improving
mood, enhancing sleep quality, and reducing the physiological
arousal associated with stress.
What are the main differences between avoidance and approach
coping strategies?
Avoidance coping involves evading the stressor or its
consequences, often leading to short-term relief but long-term
problems, while approach coping focuses on confronting and
addressing the stressor directly.
What are the psychological and physiological effects of stress on
the brain?
Stress affects the brain by impairing memory, concentration, and
decision-making due to elevated cortisol levels. Prolonged stress
can shrink the hippocampus, which is critical for learning and
memory, and overactivate the amygdala, increasing emotional
reactivity.
How does stress influence the immune system?
Acute stress can temporarily boost immune function, but chronic
stress suppresses it, reducing the body’s ability to fight
infections and increasing susceptibility to illnesses.
ANSWERS 100+
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 What is stress, and how is it defined in
psychological terms?
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 stress through
education, skill development, and controlled exposure to
stressors.
, What are the physiological effects of stress on the cardiovascular
system?
Stress increases heart rate and blood pressure, which, if
sustained, can contribute to hypertension, atherosclerosis, and
other cardiovascular issues.
How does exercise contribute to stress reduction?
Exercise reduces stress by releasing endorphins, improving
mood, enhancing sleep quality, and reducing the physiological
arousal associated with stress.
What are the main differences between avoidance and approach
coping strategies?
Avoidance coping involves evading the stressor or its
consequences, often leading to short-term relief but long-term
problems, while approach coping focuses on confronting and
addressing the stressor directly.
What are the psychological and physiological effects of stress on
the brain?
Stress affects the brain by impairing memory, concentration, and
decision-making due to elevated cortisol levels. Prolonged stress
can shrink the hippocampus, which is critical for learning and
memory, and overactivate the amygdala, increasing emotional
reactivity.
How does stress influence the immune system?
Acute stress can temporarily boost immune function, but chronic
stress suppresses it, reducing the body’s ability to fight
infections and increasing susceptibility to illnesses.
