Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
06:15
A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
13.3K
Charting adult development through (historically changing) daily stress processes
David M Almeida1, Susan T Charles2, Jacqueline Mogle3
1Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University.
The American Psychologist
|May 8, 2020
Summary
Adults experienced more frequent and severe daily stressors in the 2010s compared to the 1990s, impacting well-being. This shift particularly affected middle-aged adults, challenging traditional adult development theories.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Examining adult development through daily life experiences and historical changes.
- Assessing theories of linear well-being increases in adulthood amidst economic uncertainty.
Observation:
- National Study of Daily Experiences data from the 1990s (N=1,499) and 2010s (N=782).
- Compared daily stressor frequency, severity, and distress levels across two decades.
Findings:
- Adults in the 2010s reported 2% more stressor days annually, with increased severity and distress.
- Middle-aged adults showed pronounced increases in stressor days (19%) and perceived financial/future risks (61%/52%).
- Age-related well-being increases from young adulthood to midlife, seen in the 1990s, were absent in the 2010s.
Implications:
- Traditional theories of adult well-being may require reevaluation.
- Findings highlight the impact of historical context on adult development and well-being.
- Suggests a need for updated models considering contemporary societal and economic factors.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
440
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
440
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
415
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
415
01:30Stress and Mental Health
423
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
423
01:23Components of Stress
438
Stress analysis under multiple loading conditions is intricate, necessitating a comprehensive grasp of normal and shearing stresses. Consider a small cube at point O, subjected to stress on all six faces, visible or not. Normal stress components σx, σy, σz act perpendicularly to the x, y, and z axes. Shearing stress components τxy and τxz are exerted on faces perpendicular to these axes.
Interestingly, the hidden cube faces also experience these stresses, equal and...
Interestingly, the hidden cube faces also experience these stresses, equal and...
438
01:23Types of Stressors
535
A stressor is any event, condition, or stimulus that triggers stress and causes a physical or psychological response in the body. Stressors can be categorized into three main types: catastrophes; significant life changes; and daily hassles, including social stress. Each can be detrimental to physical and mental well-being.
Catastrophes
Catastrophes refer to large-scale, unpredictable events that create overwhelming stress and a sense of threat. Examples include natural disasters like...
Catastrophes
Catastrophes refer to large-scale, unpredictable events that create overwhelming stress and a sense of threat. Examples include natural disasters like...
535
01:24Physiological Foundation of Stress
437
Stress triggers a coordinated physiological response involving the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This dual activation ensures that the body is prepared for both immediate and prolonged stress management. The process begins with the perception of a stressor. This initial phase activates the SNS, leading to the rapid release of adrenaline (epinephrine) from the adrenal glands.
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
437