Introduction to Factors Affecting Stress

Welcome to this chapter on the factors that influence how we experience stress. Have you ever wondered why two people can face the exact same situation—like a big exam or a flat tire—and one stays calm while the other feels completely overwhelmed? In this part of the Health Psychology (Topic G) unit, we explore why stress levels vary. We will look at external events (like major life changes and small daily irritations), internal factors (your personality), and the environmental help you get from others (social support). Understanding these factors helps us see stress not just as a reaction, but as a complex interaction between a person and their world.

1. Life Events and Daily Hassles

Psychologists distinguish between big, "one-off" changes in our lives and the small, repetitive problems we face every day. Both can make us feel stressed, but they work in different ways.

Life Events

Life events are major occurrences that require a significant adjustment in a person’s life. These can be negative (like the death of a loved one) or even positive (like getting married or starting a new job). Example: Moving to a new country is a massive life event because you have to change your home, your language, and your social circle all at once.

Daily Hassles

Daily hassles are the relatively minor, frequent irritations that happen in everyday life. While they seem small, they can add up (this is called "accumulation") and cause significant stress because they happen so often. Example: Losing your car keys, being stuck in traffic, or having a slow internet connection when you are trying to submit an assignment.

The Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale

To measure the impact of life events, researchers Holmes and Rahe created the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS).
  • They assigned a numerical value called Life Change Units (LCU) to different events.
  • For example, "Death of a spouse" has a very high LCU, while "Vacation" has a much lower LCU.
  • The Theory: The more LCUs you accumulate in a short period (usually a year), the higher your risk of developing a stress-related physical illness.
Quick Tip: Don't worry if this seems tricky! Just remember: Life events are the "big shocks," and daily hassles are the "death by a thousand cuts."

2. Individual Differences: Personality

Not everyone reacts to a stressor in the same way. Your personality traits play a huge role in how much stress you feel and how it affects your health.

Type A Personality

The most famous personality distinction in health psychology is the Type A versus Type B personality. Type A characteristics include:
  • Competitiveness: A strong desire to win and be the best.
  • Time Urgency: Feeling like there is never enough time and hating delays (like waiting in line).
  • Hostility: Getting angry or frustrated easily with others.
Research suggests that people with a Type A personality are more likely to experience high levels of stress and are at a higher risk for stress-related illnesses, such as heart disease, compared to Type B individuals (who are generally more relaxed, patient, and easy-going). Did you know? It is specifically the "hostility" trait in Type A personalities that is most closely linked to heart problems!

3. Social Support

Social support refers to the help and resources we get from our friends, family, and community. It is one of the most powerful "buffers" against stress. There are different ways social support helps us:
  • Emotional Support: Having someone to talk to, give you a hug, or tell you that they care about you. This makes you feel valued.
  • Instrumental Support: Practical help, such as a friend lending you money or a neighbor driving you to the hospital.
  • Informational Support: Getting advice or useful information from others to help you solve a problem.
How it works: Social support can act as a safety net. When we know we have people to help us, we appraise (evaluate) a situation as less threatening, which reduces the physiological stress response in our bodies.

Summary: Key Takeaways

Life Events vs. Hassles: Major changes (Life Events) and small daily irritations (Hassles) both contribute to stress. Holmes and Rahe used the SRRS to measure this via Life Change Units (LCUs).

Personality: Type A individuals (competitive, urgent, hostile) tend to experience more stress and health risks than Type B individuals.

Social Support: Friends and family provide emotional, practical (instrumental), and informational help that protects us from the negative effects of stress.


Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Confusing the two: Don't confuse "Life Events" with "Daily Hassles." If it happens once every few years, it's likely a life event. If it happens three times a week, it's a hassle.
  • Assuming Type A is "Bad": While Type A is linked to more stress, these individuals are often very high achievers. The focus in Psychology is on the health risk, not a moral judgment.
  • Missing the "Buffer" concept: When discussing social support, remember to mention that it "buffers" (protects) the individual from the harmful effects of the stressor.
Note: For details on how the body physically reacts to these factors (like the HPA axis), please refer to the "Physiology of Stress" chapter. For how to manage these factors, see "Coping Strategies."