Human behaviour of stress: Differences Are Responsible for a Person’s Experience of Stress
Jan 7
5 min read
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Stress is a standard human behaviour that affects people differently. Some people seem to manage stress, while others appear overwhelmed. Stress raises an important question: To what extent are individual differences responsible for a person’s experience of stress? Claims are evaluated by exploring the role of environmental and situational factors in shaping how people experience stress. These factors may interact with individual characteristics to influence stress experiences.
According to Costa and McCrae (1992), personality traits are considered reasonably stable traits of an individual. As suggested by Dann, C. (2023), these traits can influence how individuals perceive and respond to situations, including potentially stressful ones.
People face challenges because of external factors; they are expected to become resilient. However, when the focus is placed only on an individual, it is easy to lose sight of or ignore the social and political factors that create stressors that cannot be modified by the individual experiencing stress.
Individual differences are essential in defining stress. Stress is a physiological and psychological response to perceived challenges or threats, known as stressors. Stressors can range from daily hassles to significant life events. According to cardiologists Friedman and Rosenman (1950s), stress is typically categorised into two types: Type A, which is competitive, always on the go, and aggressive, and Type B, which is relaxed, laid-back, and easy-going with the argument that Type A linked to coronary heart disease. In the 1980s, this study was replicated, quoted by Petticrew, Lee and McKee (20212), that Type A personality and coronary heart disease were heavily outweighed by those that found no evidence of a link.
Personality traits are among the most prominent individual differences influencing how people respond to stress. Several theories and studies suggest that personality plays a critical role in shaping the experience of stress. Cited by Dann, C (2023): One of the most well-established theories assesses personality on the following five traits:
Openness: being open to new experiences, being curious
Conscientiousness: working thoroughly, being efficient, organised
Extroversion: being outgoing and energetic
Agreeableness: showing kindness and compassion
Neuroticism: showing sensitivity or worry
Extraverts may respond negatively to stressors, experiencing elevated anxiety, irritability, or depressive symptoms with the tendency to engage in social interactions, which can serve as a buffer against stress. Extraverts may also seek support from others, which can help feelings of isolation and help them cope with stress more effectively. In contrast, introverts might have fewer social resources and may prefer solitary coping strategies, which could make them more susceptible to stress in specific contexts.
Conscientiousness is a personality trait that may influence individuals to be organised, disciplined, and goal-oriented. These traits can contribute to effective time management and problem-solving skills, which may reduce the perceived intensity of stressors. Conversely, individuals with low conscientiousness may struggle with organisation and time management, potentially increasing their vulnerability to stress.
Coping mechanisms are the strategies people use to manage stress, and individual differences in coping play a crucial role in how stress is experienced. Lazarus and Folkman (1984) explain stress as a transaction between the individual and their environment.
The transactional model has three theories such as:
The primary appraisal is whereby the individuals assess a situation for stress.
The secondary appraisal is where the individual looks for potential coping mechanisms to identify the stress.
Lastly, the person is going through the process of dealing with that stress.
Coping can be broadly categorised into problem-focused and emotion-focused coping. How a person appraises a situation, whether they view it as a challenge or a threat, can significantly influence how they cope.
Coping styles vary significantly; some may develop coping mechanisms like social support, physical exercise, and relaxation techniques. These strategies have been shown to reduce stress's physiological and psychological effects. In contrast, coping strategies, such as avoidance, substance abuse, or rumination, can exacerbate anxiety and lead to adverse outcomes.
Optimistic people appraise stressors as manageable and are more likely to engage in active problem-solving. Optimism, therefore, plays a protective role in stress management by fostering more adaptive coping strategies.
For example, an individual who tends to ruminate over stressful events may experience prolonged periods of distress. On the other hand, someone who uses problem-focused coping strategies such as breaking down the problem into smaller tasks and seeking solutions may experience a stress reduction.
The biological factors are key in determining how individuals experience stress. The stress response is mediated by the activation of the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. These systems release stress hormones, such as cortisol, which prepare the body to respond to a perceived threat.
However, the extent of stress can vary due to genetic and physiological differences. Some people may have a heightened physiological response to stress, resulting in more physical symptoms, such as increased heart rate or muscle tension.
Conversely, others may have a more resilient biological response to stress. For example, people with lower baseline cortisol levels or more efficient cortisol regulation may experience less intense stress reactions and recover more quickly from stressors.
Cognitive processes are critical in shaping how stress is perceived and experienced. How an individual interprets and evaluates a stressor plays a significant role in determining how much stress they will feel. Irrational thinking can amplify stress by making individuals overestimate the severity of stressors or perceive them as impossible.
Individuals who feel they have control over a situation are less likely to experience high-stress levels, believing they can influence the outcome. Individuals who feel helpless or out of control in a stressful situation may experience higher levels of anxiety and distress.
Individuals who experience external stressors beyond their control may feel helpless and more stressed. In contrast, those who view stressors as within their power may be more likely to take action to alleviate them.
Individual differences play a significant role in the experience of stress, and it is essential to recognise that environmental and situational factors also influence stress. A person’s social network, socioeconomic status, working environment, and life circumstances can all shape and reshape how stress is experienced. For instance, individuals living in high-stress environments, such as those with chronic financial difficulties or high-pressure jobs, may experience more significant stress regardless of their differences, including those who go through a sudden change, such as an accident and are temporarily physically limited will suffer from anxiety due to life changes.
Conclusion.
Individual differences significantly affect how a person experiences or encounters stress. Personality traits, coping strategies, biological factors, and cognitive processes contribute to the variability in stress responses, making specific individuals more vulnerable to stress. External circumstances such as social networks, working conditions, and life events also affect how stress is experienced.
It is essential to note that stress is an emotion that arises from the interaction between individual characteristics and environmental factors. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of stress requires an appreciation of personal and situational influences and how they interact to influence stress outcomes.
Akhtar, (SAC Dip), Lead Counselling Psychologist.
