Approximate reading time: 16 minutes

Stress affects us all, stemming from various sources that challenge our mental and physical well-being. At its core, stress is our body’s response to demands or threats, whether they’re immediate and short-lived or persistent over time. Cohen, Janicki-Deverts, & Miller (2007) differentiate between chronic stressors, such as ongoing financial worries or long-term caregiving, and acute stressors, like experiencing an injury or facing a sudden job loss. This distinction is crucial for understanding how different types of stress impact our health and daily functioning.

Recognizing the sources of stress is the first step toward managing its effects. Everyday hassles, life changes, and environmental factors can all serve as stressors. By identifying these triggers, individuals can develop strategies to cope with stress, such as seeking social support, practicing relaxation techniques, or making lifestyle changes. Understanding stress in this comprehensive manner allows us to see it not just as a personal issue but as a complex interplay between individual experiences and broader societal factors.

Environmental Stressors: The Rat Park Experiments, Addiction, and the Power of Environment

The Rat Park Experiments conducted by Alexander et al. (1978) fundamentally changed our understanding of addiction. These experiments revealed that rats housed in a stimulating environment with plenty of space and opportunities for social interaction were less likely to consume morphine-laced water compared to those in isolated, cramped conditions. This groundbreaking study suggested that addiction is heavily influenced by one’s environment and social context, challenging the notion that addiction is solely a result of individual weakness or a biological predisposition to drugs.

Watch this video: Addiction an the Rat Park Experiments – Short Version (1.5 minutes) 

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Traumatic Events

Traumatic events, ranging from personal assaults to natural disasters, can lead to significant stress and, in severe cases, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These experiences, unfortunately, are common, with their impact varying significantly across different demographics. Research by Hatch & Dohrenwend (2007) indicates that men, BIPOC, and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to report experiencing traumatic events. The consequences of such experiences can be profound, affecting individuals’ mental health and leading to conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Understanding the impact of trauma is essential for providing effective support and interventions. It’s important to recognise that trauma can affect anyone and that its effects can be long-lasting. Support for those who have experienced trauma may include therapy, medication, and community support programs. Recognising the widespread impact of traumatic events on mental health is a critical step in addressing the needs of those affected, along with fostering resilience in the face of adversity.

Catastrophic Trauma

The Indian Residential Schools (IRS) system in Canada has left a deep and enduring impact on Indigenous communities, marking a dark chapter in the nation’s history. These institutions, which operated from the late 19th century until the late 20th century, were part of a policy of forced assimilation, aiming to integrate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. The schools were characterised by inhumane conditions, including physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and efforts to erase Indigenous languages and cultures (Truth and Reconciliation Commission [TRC], 2015). The trauma experienced by survivors of these schools, and the subsequent generational impacts, are profound, affecting the mental and physical health of Indigenous peoples across Canada.
The concept of Historical Trauma Response, developed by Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart, provides a framework for understanding the cumulative emotional and psychological wounds inflicted across generations by such catastrophic events. This trauma is not confined to the individuals who directly experienced the schools but extends to their descendants, manifesting in various health disparities and social challenges. Addressing this legacy requires culturally sensitive and trauma-informed approaches that acknowledge the deep-seated pain and resilience of Indigenous communities. Healing is a complex process that involves reconnecting with traditional cultures, languages, and practices, as well as ensuring that survivors and their families have access to appropriate support services.

Life Changes as Stressors

Life changes, whether perceived as positive or negative, can act as significant stressors. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), developed by Holmes and Rahe in 1967, highlights how events like marriage, divorce, job loss, or moving to a new home require an individual to make substantial adjustments, thereby inducing stress. These life changes are assigned “life change units” (LCUs) to quantify their potential impact on a person’s health. Interestingly, the scale suggests that not only negative events but also positive ones, such as promotions or the birth of a child, can produce stress due to the changes they bring to one’s life.

Table adapted from Holmes & Rahe (1967).

The Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) provides researchers with a simple, easy-to-administer way of assessing the amount of stress in people’s lives, and it has been used in hundreds of studies (Thoits, 2010). Despite its widespread use, the scale has been subject to criticism.

Understanding that life changes can be stressful regardless of their nature underscores the importance of developing coping mechanisms and support systems. It also highlights the subjective nature of stress, as individuals may perceive and react to the same event differently based on their personal resources, past experiences, and social support networks. Recognising and addressing the stress associated with life changes is crucial for maintaining mental health and well-being. This awareness can empower individuals to seek help when needed and to approach life’s transitions with strategies that promote resilience and adaptation.

Occupation-Related Stressors

Occupational stressors encompass a range of job-related factors that can lead to psychological and physical strain. High-stress professions often involve direct exposure to danger, such as in the case of police officers and firefighters, who face physical risks and the pressure of making life-and-death decisions on a daily basis (Sulsky & Smith, 2005). However, stress is not limited to those in hazardous roles. Social workers, teachers, and nurses, for example, encounter stress through emotional labour, excessive paperwork, and the constant demand to meet the needs of those they serve, often with insufficient resources or support. The stress experienced in these occupations can stem from a combination of high expectations, lack of positive feedback, and the emotional toll of their work. This environment can lead to job strain, a condition characterised by high demands and low control, which research has linked to a variety of health issues, including cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders (Karasek & Theorell, 1990; Schnall & Landsbergis, 1994; Theorell et al., 1998).

The concept of job strain highlights the importance of workplace environment and job design in influencing employee well-being. Occupations that involve repetitive tasks, limited autonomy, and unsupportive management can exacerbate feelings of helplessness and frustration, contributing to job burnout. This state of chronic workplace stress is marked by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a sense of reduced personal accomplishment (Maslach & Jackson, 1981). Factors such as organizational culture, work-life balance, and the availability of mental health resources play critical roles in mitigating or exacerbating occupational stress. Addressing these stressors requires a multifaceted approach, including organizational changes to reduce job demands, increase employee control, and provide support for those struggling with the psychological impacts of their work.

Example: Tyre, a nursing assistant in a nursing home, worked long hours for low pay in a tough environment, with a domineering and unsupportive supervisor. They had little control over their work, couldn’t take breaks freely, and felt unappreciated. Over time, Tyre grew to hate the job, developed a hostile attitude, and eventually quit. Tyre now works in sales and refuses to return to nursing.
While occupation-related stressors can significantly impact our well-being, broader societal issues, such as gender-based and race-based violence and discrimination, add another layer of complexity to the stress experienced by individuals, particularly those from marginalized groups.

Lockdown During the COVID 19 Pandemic: Psychological Effects

Content Disclosure: Please be advised that the following section on the psychological effects of the COVID 19 lockdown includes discussions of sensitive topics. These include grief and loss, mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, increased suicide risk, and family violence and abuse. The content is intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of these issues based on scientific research but may be distressing for some readers. Reader discretion is advised, and support should be sought if needed.

The COVID 19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns introduced unprecedented psychological stressors on a global scale. The sudden shift to isolation, combined with uncertainty and fear of the virus, significantly impacted mental health, leading to increased reports of anxiety, depression, PTSD (post-traumatic Stress Disorder), and other stress-related disorders. The lockdowns disrupted daily routines, social interactions, and access to support networks, exacerbating feelings of loneliness and helplessness (Martinelli et al., 2021; Prati & Mancini, 2021). Specific groups, such as healthcare professionals, faced the dual challenge of heightened exposure to the virus and the emotional burden of treating COVID 19 patients, further increasing the risk of psychological distress and burnout.

The psychological impact of the pandemic was also profound in terms of grief and loss. Many individuals experienced the loss of loved ones to the virus, compounded by restrictions on gatherings and funerals, making the grieving process more difficult (Cena et al., 2022; Kira et al., 2021). The Pandemic Grief Scale was developed to assess dysfunctional grief related to COVID 19 losses, highlighting the need for specialised support for those affected (Lee & Neimeyer, 2020). Additionally, the lockdowns saw a significant rise in substance abuse, with increases in alcohol and illicit drug use as individuals turned to these substances as a coping mechanism for stress, isolation, and anxiety (Killgore, Cloonan, Taylor, Lucas, & Dailey, 2020; Schmits & Glowacz, 2021).

Moreover, the lockdowns had a differential impact across genders and age groups. Women and younger individuals reported higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, pointing to the varied effects of the pandemic based on demographic factors (Ausín et al., 2020; Gopal et al., 2020). The increase in domestic violence and child abuse during lockdowns, referred to as a “shadow pandemic,” highlighted the dangerous intersection of isolation, stress, and existing societal issues, necessitating urgent attention and intervention (Abdullah, Cudjoe, Ryu, & Emery, 2021; Christie, Hiscox, Halligan, & Creswell, 2022). As the world continues to navigate the aftermath of the pandemic, understanding these psychological effects is crucial for developing strategies to support mental health and resilience in the face of future crises.

Understanding the Psychological Impact of Lockdown: In summary, the lockdowns during the COVID 19 pandemic had various effects on our psychological well-being depending on our personality, neurodiverse status, family, and home circumstances. Understanding these effects is crucial in developing strategies to support mental health in similar future scenarios.