A stressor is any event, situation, or condition that has the potential to cause stress. Before a person experiences stress, they must first encounter a stressor. Stressors vary from person to person because what is stressful for one individual may not be stressful for another.
Two Main Types of Stressors
| Type | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Acute Stressors | Short-term events that occur suddenly | Car accident, breaking a bone, taking an exam, argument with a friend |
| Chronic Stressors | Long-term situations that continue over time | Caring for a family member with dementia, long-term unemployment, ongoing financial problems, imprisonment |
1. Traumatic Events
Traumatic events are among the most severe stressors. They involve actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence.
Examples include:
- Military combat
- Physical assault
- Sexual assault
- Childhood abuse
- Robbery
- Terrorist attacks
- Natural disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, floods)
- Serious automobile accidents
Some people exposed to traumatic events may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can include:
- Intrusive memories or flashbacks
- Jumpiness (hypervigilance)
- Persistent negative emotions
- Avoiding reminders of the trauma
- Angry outbursts
- Feeling detached from others
2. Life Changes
Not all stress comes from traumatic experiences. Even positive life changes can create stress because they require adjustment.
Examples:
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Death of a loved one
- Moving to a new home
- Starting or ending school
- Changing careers
- Personal illness
- Financial changes
Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)
Psychiatrists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe developed the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) to measure how much stress different life events create.
Each event receives Life Change Units (LCUs) based on how much adjustment it usually requires.
Examples from the scale:
| Life Event | Life Change Units (LCUs) |
|---|---|
| Death of a close family member | 63 |
| Personal injury or illness | 53 |
| Losing a job | 47 |
| Change in financial situation | 38 |
| Career change | 36 |
| Outstanding personal achievement | 28 |
| Beginning or ending school | 26 |
| Change in living conditions | 25 |
| Change in residence | 20 |
The higher a person's total LCU score over the past year, the greater their risk for stress-related illness.
3. Daily Hassles
Many stressors are small, everyday annoyances. Although each one may seem minor, they can accumulate over time.
Examples include:
- Traffic jams
- Losing your keys
- Bad weather
- Long commutes
- Arguments with friends or family
- Difficult coworkers
- Technology problems
- Social media conflicts
Research suggests that daily hassles are often better predictors of physical and psychological health than major life events, because they occur so frequently.
4. Occupation-Related Stressors
Some jobs naturally involve more stress than others.
Examples include:
- Police officers
- Firefighters
- Nurses
- Teachers
- Social workers
- Emergency medical workers
- Managers
Common workplace stressors include:
- Heavy workloads
- Long hours
- Unsafe conditions
- Lack of support
- Difficult clients or patients
- Low control over work decisions
- Uncertainty
Job Strain
Job strain occurs when a person experiences:
- High job demands and
- Little control over how the work is performed.
Job Burnout
Long-term job strain can lead to burnout, which is characterized by:
- Emotional exhaustion
- Physical fatigue
- Reduced motivation
- Lower job performance
- Feeling detached or cynical about work
5. Relationship Stress
Close relationships can also be major sources of stress.
Examples include:
- Frequent arguments
- Lack of emotional support
- Feeling unappreciated
- Poor communication
- Conflict with family members or partners
Research cited by OpenStax found that people experiencing high levels of negative interactions in close relationships had a greater risk of serious heart problems over time.
Key Terms to Remember
- Stressor: Anything that has the potential to cause stress.
- Acute stressor: A short-term stressful event.
- Chronic stressor: A long-lasting stressful situation.
- Traumatic event: An event involving actual or threatened death, injury, or violence.
- PTSD: A disorder that may develop after experiencing or witnessing trauma.
- Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS): A scale developed by Holmes and Rahe that measures stress associated with life changes.
- Life Change Units (LCUs): Numerical values assigned to life events based on the amount of adjustment required.
- Daily hassles: Minor, recurring irritations that can accumulate and increase stress.
- Job strain: High work demands combined with low control.
- Job burnout: Physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged workplace stress.
Easy-to-Remember Summary
Stressors come in five main forms:
- Traumatic events – disasters, assaults, accidents.
- Life changes – marriage, divorce, moving, illness.
- Daily hassles – traffic, arguments, lost keys.
- Work stress – heavy workloads, little control, burnout.
- Relationship stress – conflict and lack of support from family or friends.
Remember: Stress is not caused only by negative events. Positive life changes, such as getting married, receiving a promotion, or achieving a major goal, can also be stressful because they require significant adjustment.
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