1 Psychology and human development1.9 Emotion
1.9.5 Daily stressors and protective influences
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Written by Resident Doctor Committee · Published
New in the 2027 syllabus
The College added this topic for exams from January 2027.
Everyday stress
Daily hassles are small, recurring irritations or demands. They can add up even when there has been no major life event.
Uplifts are positive everyday experiences that may support wellbeing. They do not simply cancel out a fixed amount of adversity.
Conflict can come from incompatible goals, difficult choices or strained relationships. Its impact depends on how the person appraises it and how much control they have.
Vulnerability and protection
Vulnerability makes difficulty more likely under adversity. It does not make illness certain, and it is not a permanent trait independent of context.
Protective factors include supportive relationships, coping skills and material security. They can work differently at different developmental stages.
Resilience means adapting despite adversity, not being immune to all future stress.
Trauma differs from ordinary inconvenience in the nature and threat of the exposure. When assessing, also ask about ongoing difficulties and earlier adversity.
Type A and Type B are historical descriptions of behaviour patterns. They are not diagnoses, and they do not reliably divide people into the vulnerable and the invulnerable.