External stressors are situations or events that bring changes in a person's life and can either be positive or negative. Significant life changes such as a new job, new marriage, a promotion, death of a family member, and divorce are examples of external stressors that lead to changes in attitudes and change in response to issues. Stressors make one feel afraid or anxious, hence affect a person's response and, in severe cases, may lead to depression and anxiety. Personality traits such as behavior and attitude are important determinants of how the stressors affect an individual. Cognitive theories of psychopathology stipulate that in the presence of stress, negative attitudes and perceptions may result in the occurrence of behavioral disorientation and distress ( Figley & McCubbin, 2016). Positive thinking, optimisms, and progressive beliefs are constructs of effective stress management. A person's attitude and beliefs determine how the person reacts to different stressors in their lives.
Effects of attitudes and believes on external stressors
Maladaptive beliefs and rigid negative attitudes about oneself, others, nature, and the future have profound effects of exacerbating the impacts of external stressors. Over time, the maladaptive behavior becomes the antecedent vulnerability to the development and maintenance of behavioral and psychiatric problems as the person tries to cope with the stressor. The underlying schemas that instigate the maladaptive beliefs and attitudes may remain hidden until the individual encounters the stressful event, following which the schemas are activated. Behavioral disturbance and hindrance of effective performance are often the outcomes of activation of these schemas ( Figley & McCubbin, 2016). The beliefs people hold of themselves set precedence for how they will mitigate the stressor event. The outcomes of workplace promotion, for example, are determined by the person's attitude besides their experience and expertise. If the person believes that they will excel in their new role, then they will perform exceptionally. However, if they are in doubt of their capacity, then they are likely to fail. Dysfunctional attitudes often result in failure and depression.
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According to Pastorino & Doyle-Portillos (2015), the exposure to a certain environment creates an attitude or perception that implicates the stress coping mechanisms. Exposure to war leads children to believe that they are always unsafe, leading to post-traumatic disorder in their lives. Children with an uncertain attitude on life may exhibit mood disorders and aggressive dyscontrol issues when faced with external stressors in life. Adverse life events such as divorce, job loss, death of a loved one need a person with a robust coping mechanism, and a positive attitude to overcome such stressors. Major medical illness diagnosis leads to depression due to the belief that coping with the illness may be hard. Patients who need amputations of arms have significant changes in life hence the need for psychiatrist counseling to assist patients in acquiring a favorable attitude deal with the negative stressors in their lives.
Psychological Mechanisms to Moderate Stress Levels
There are psychological mechanisms in which individuals can apply and reduce the level of stress, which includes eliminations of the stressors, which depends on the perception towards situations (Figley & McCubbin, 2016) . Circumstances such as the death of a partner cannot change, but the cognitive perception of a person may reduce the stress an individual feels about such an instance. Social support cultivations ensure a person has family members and friends who can listen and sympathize; hence that decreases negative thoughts and emotions. Exercising can lead to mental relaxation, and mindful meditation reduces psychological anxiety. Keeping up with pleasurable activities and having nature walks leads to mood improvement by calming a person's mind.
Conclusion
Negative stressors in life precede anxiety disorders in which later lead to depression. Human beings are resilient and can cope with negative stressors on embracing a positive attitude. Stress-related outcomes vary according to environmental factors, beliefs, orientation, and exposure to traumatic situations. The personality of individuals also contributes to how a person perceives stressful live events. The impacts of psychological stress are contingent on an individual’s exposure to a particular case, and the cognitive mindset determines the person’s perception of the stressor.
References
Figley, C. R., & McCubbin, H. I. (Eds.). (2016). Stress and the family: Coping with catastrophe . Routledge.
Pastorino, E., & Doyle-Portillos, S. (2015). What is Psychology? Foundations, Applications, and Integration. Boston:Cengage
