Which events are chronic stressors?

• A. Acute stressors
• B. Traumatic events
• C. Moderate stressors
• D. Chronic stressors

Answer: (D)

Chronic stressors are events or conditions that persist over time, keeping the body's stress response activated for a long period. This ongoing activation can lead to a higher allostatic load and long-term health effects. Examples include ongoing financial hardship, long-term caregiving, persistent work stress, or a chronic illness. The question asks which events are chronic stressors, so something that describes lasting, enduring exposure fits best. Acute stressors are short-lived and resolve quickly, so they don’t qualify as chronic. Traumatic events are usually intense and can be sudden; while some trauma can become ongoing, the defining idea here is duration. Moderate stressors describe how intense the stress is, not how long it lasts. Therefore, the events that are chronic stressors are those that last over time.