Juliette Hill

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11/19/2021

Theory of Stress and Coping – Demands Vs Resources

Stress is an inevitable part of human life. We are often faced with multifaceted situations

that we must deal with. Depending upon how we approach these situations will determine

whether it will be a stress inducing experience. When perceiving stress, individuals are more

susceptible to poor health outcomes such as lowered immune health, increased susceptibility to

infection, reoccurring herpes outbreaks, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, increased

risk of cancer, autoimmune disease, and stroke (Largo-Wight et al., 2005). It is essential that we

reduce stress to ensure good long-term health. Public health professionals can implement health

interventions to reduce stress from multiple angles at both individual and communal levels.

When dealing with a situation, we often first assess our position – considering our

perceived resources and our perceived demands. The theory of stress and coping suggests that

when there are larger perceived demands than there are perceived resources, we experience

perceived stress (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). When faced with a situation, an appraisal process is

conducted where the individual first assesses whether the situation they are facing is threatening

or stressful (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). This is called the primary appraisal (Lazarus &

Folkman, 1984). Following this is the secondary appraisal, where the individual assesses the

situation to determine how to deal with the perceived stress (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). When

the individual effectively manages or copes with the perceived stress, then an effective secondary

appraisal has been conducted in which resources have been utilized in a way that eliminates

perceived stress, and therefore eliminates the health consequences associated with it (Lazarus &

Folkman, 1984).
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When considering how to reduce stress, public health professionals can help by

implementing interventions that aid in educating and implementing stress reduction strategies.

Concerningly, office jobs such as those held by 70% of the US population are considered to be

high-stress roles (Largo-Wight et al., 2011). It is essential that interventions are put in to place to

reduce stress as it can increase the risk of life-threatening illnesses such as chronic diseases and

cancer, while also increasing the risk for poor mental health and lower quality of life (Largo-

Wight et al., 2011). Simple measures such as re-designing workplaces can reduce perceived

stress when working (Largo-Wight et al., 2011). Incorporating natural elements into the

workplace reduces points of stress throughout the day, as natural elements have been suggested

to either restore cognitive resources (which in turn increases our ability to process and cope with

stressful situations), or to engage with parts of the “old” brain (our ancestral brain) which

balances modern day cognitive stimulation and provides relief, leading to stress reduction

(Largo-Wight et al., 2011). This incorporation of natural elements is referred to as “nature

contact”. Studies have shown that increasing nature contact within the workplace results in lower

reported stress perception (Largo-Wight et al., 2011). Further, the Biophilia Hypothesis suggests

that nature contact promotes health through stress reduction as it links us to the past – being in

nature is “biologically familiar” (Wilson, 1984; Buss, 1995). Public health professionals should

pay particular attention to this as lower stress perception in turn will result in lower rates of stress

induced illness.

Additionally, it is important that individuals can approach stressful situations in a way

that allows them to feel confident, and to feel like they have the appropriate perceived resources

to deal with the perceived demands. Studies such as that conducted by Largo-Wight et al. in

2005, showed that improving problem solving abilities promotes personal well-being and
Juliette Hill
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increases healthy behaviors and coping skills. These are all attributes that can potentially

influence perceived stress. Incorporating stress-management and health promotion programs

throughout schools, workplaces, and communities should lead to a decrease in overall stress

perception (Largo-Wight et al., 2005). Outreach programs should be implemented throughout

communities most at risk, such as those where the majority of individuals work at stressful jobs

(such as office jobs), to improve perceived problem-solving skills through effective

communication skills, leadership skills, reduce perceived stress, and to improve overall physical

health (Largo-Wight et al., 2005).

Although it is inevitable that we will experience stress at some point throughout our lives,

it is not inevitable that we will suffer because of it. With the appropriate environment and tools,

perceived stress can be reduced, along with its harmful health risks. Public health professionals

should continue to promote healthy workspaces, schools, homes, and communities. Incorporating

nature contact decreases perceived stress, while problem-solving skills improve stress coping

strategies. The combination of healthy environment and healthy mind will in turn maintain

healthy individuals and healthy communities.

Juliette Hill
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11/19/2021

References

Buss D. M. (1995). Evolutionary psychology: a new paradigm for psychological science.

Psychological Inquiry. 2. (2010). Cleland, V., Timperio, A., Salmon, J., Hume, C., Baur,

L. A., Crawford, D. Predictors of time spent outdoors among children: 5 year longitudinal

findings. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health (64)5, 400-406.

DOI:10.1136/jech.2009.087460.

Largo-Wight, E. Chen, W., Dodd, V., & Weiler, R. (2011). Healthy workplaces: The role of

nature contact office exposures on employee stress and health. Public Health Reports,

126(1), 124-130. DOI: 10.1177/00333549111260S116

Largo-Wight, E., Peterson, P. M., & Chen, W. W. (2005). Perceived problem solving, stress, and

health among college students. American Journal of Health Behavior, (29)4, 360-370.

DOI: 10.5993/ajhb.29.4.8

Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer Publishing.

Wilson, E. O. (1984). Biophilia: The human bond with other species. Harvard University Press.