Stress: The anxious or threatening feeling that comes when we interpret a situation as being more than our psychological resources can adequately handle (Lazarus 1990, 1993)

Eustress: Positive stress

Distress: Negative stress

The first step in experiencing stress involves interpretation or primary appraisal.

Primary Appraisal: Our initial, subjective evaluation of a situation in which we balance the environmental demands against our ability to meet them

Initial appraisal leads to one of three conclusions:

Harm/Loss: Elicits negative emotions (i.e., fear, depression, and anxiety)

Threat: Anticipation that a harmful situation will occur

Challenge: A potentially positive situation that may lead to gain or personal growth. We must mobilize physical energy and psychological resources to meet the situation.

Some appraisals can be a combination of the three stressful situations (i.e., a new job may be appraised as a threat and a challenge).

How does our appraisal affect stress levels? Research has shown that people who view the situation as stressful were significantly more aroused than those who had a challenge appraisal.