A New Look at Handling Stressors

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More than a decade of research supports the theory that coping with life events is associated with the increased likelihood of physical and mental illness. The reasoning behind this theory is that adapting to any change is stressful, and that the cumulative effects of stress increase risk for illness. Now a new dimension has been added.

Studies now seem to be indicating that it is not change per se, but rather the individual's perception of the event which seems to trigger illness. Only those events that the person perceives to be undesirable and less than completely controllable are associated with illness.

A stress-resistant personality style has been labeled "hardiness." It includes the characteristics of commitment, positive response to challenge, and an internal locus of control. Research seems to show that people with these three characteristics endure stressful life experiences with significantly less illness than their less hardy counterparts.

Furthermore, people with Type A personalities who are less than hardy have an even greater chance for illness.

Remedy--some thinking time to establish your life's long term goals and some time management skills to help you have time to relax and enjoy life. (Your county extension agent can help you with goal setting and time management.) When you figure out your goals, you can be committed to them; you can try to achieve them in a positive manner; and perhaps you will be able to develop an internal locus of control. (Internal locus of control is your religious beliefs or your philosophy of life.)

Source: Rhodewalt, F. and Agustsdotlir, S. "On the Relationship of Hardiness to the Type of Behavior Pattern: Perception of Life Events Versus Coping with Life Events." Journal of Research in Personality. June, 1984. 212-223. Via Emily Wiggins, South Carolina Extension Family Life Specialist.

Sue Meyers
University of Minnesota Extension Service

Originally published in June 1985

College of Human Ecology in cooperation with the University of Minnesota Extension Service

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