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Stress in Life-Span Development Stress is an issue people deal with from childhood to adulthood. Stress is defined as “people’s physical and psychological reactions to demanding situations” (Nairne, 2006). The stress of a child may be at a different level than of an adult. However, anyone dealing with stress finds that it is not an easy concept. Stress is a part of life people deal with from time to time. The things that put stress in our lives, and how we handle the issue can depend on several factors.
There are significant concepts, features, and critical periods in life-span development that stress represents in different situations with different people. Stress Concepts There are several concepts in people’s everyday lives that can lead to stress. Some of life’s stresses that have affected me are attending school, raising my daughter alone, cleaning, and maintaining a healthy relationship with my husband. These different types of stress can pose a great deal of pressure on anyone. I feel the everyday pressures of submitting my assignments on time, and earning the best grade I possibly can amount to most of my stress.
Furthermore, I have to practically raise my three old on my own because my husband’s job is extremely demanding. This alone branches off more stress to completing my schoolwork promptly, and the everyday housewife cleaning and cooking chores. Also, as I previously mentioned, my husband’s job has him gone a lot. Thus, I stress to make sure that he and I maintain a healthy married relationship. There are moments I fear one of these important events in my life is neglected more often than I would like. However, many of my daily hassles are not the same as a child or teenager.
It may not even be the same as another adult. Therefore, there are critical periods in life-span development to keep in mind. Critical Periods With so many people dealing with stress today, there may be a number of reasons why people are faced with stress. Some events that may cause stress on people are job loss, death or accident, career change, caring for a sick family member, financial problems, and bring in other family members who have suffered from the economy (Blewitt & Broderick, 2006). Furthermore, environmental factors are also part of critical periods some people may experience.
For example, noise is factor in the environment people may stress over in their life. Nairne (2006) stated, “Chronic exposure to noise interferes with everyday activities, and it’s been linked with the appearance of such stress related disorders as ulcers and high blood pressure” (pp. 543-548). These events are problematic and trying times in an adult’s life. However, we are to not forget that children are involved in these cases as well. Although, they may not be at the extended level of stress as the adult, but the stress is there.
Distinct Features There are several people that can deal with stress easily. Many exercise, read, or even look toward their religion to help them relieve their stress. Stress has many features that one can recognize. According to Center of Disease Control and Prevention (2009) suggest that some of the features include, “disbelief and shock, fear and anxiety about the future, difficulty making decisions, nightmares and reoccurring thoughts about the event, anger, increased use of alcohol and drugs, sadness, and depression” (Coping with Stress, para. ). Study of Stress in Life-Span Development Unfortunately, many people suffer from stress, but this issue has allowed many types of researchers, as well as medical researchers, to study the area thoroughly. “The nature and effect of stress on individuals is important to review because of its clear impact on emotional and physical health” (Blewitt & Broderick, 2006). Our emotional and physical healths are what allow us to function every day. The study and advancements in technology and research helps serve those in need.
Studies on stress related issues help researches to draw conclusions, so that we can better understand and maintain our daily hassles. Conclusion Stress is an issue in life-span development. People of all ages from childhood to adulthood experience some sort of stress. These types of stress may involve schoolwork, home life, deaths and accidents, and environmental factors. Experiencing sadness, depression, anger, and nightmares are a few features someone may exhibit when dealing with stress. Stress has and will continue to thrive in research.
We need to gain a better understanding in what stress is, and how we should cope with it in our everyday lives. References Blewitt, P. , & Broderick, P. C. (2006). The Life Span: Human Development for Helping Professoinals (2nd ed. ). Upper Saddle RIver, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). CDC Features. Retrieved from http://www. cdc. gov/Features/HandlingStress/ Nairne, J. S. (2006). Psychology: The Adaptive Mind (4th ed. ). Belmont, CA: Thomas Wadsworth.