Which stressor category refers to potentially negative, relatively rare events in a person's life?

• A. Ambient Stressor
• B. Major Life Event Stressor
• C. Catastrophic Stressor
• D. Acute Stressor

Answer: (B)

Stressor categories differ by how big a change they force and how rare the event is. Major life event stressors refer to significant life changes that require substantial adjustment and are relatively infrequent. They can be negative, such as losing a job or the death of a loved one, but the key idea is that these events disrupt normal life and demand new coping strategies. This distinguishes them from ambient stressors, which are ongoing, background environmental demands; acute stressors, which are short-lived and sudden but not necessarily tied to a major life change; and catastrophic stressors, which are large-scale disasters affecting many people. So, the category described by “potentially negative, relatively rare events in a person’s life” is Major Life Event stressors.