Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What aspect does the transactional model of stress strength identify as influencing individual reactions?

1. Emotional stability

2. Environmental variables

3. Cognitive appraisal

4. Social experiences

The correct answer is: Environmental variables

The transactional model of stress, developed by Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman, emphasizes the role of cognitive appraisal in shaping how individuals respond to stressors. Cognitive appraisal refers to the personal interpretation of a situation and its significance, influencing whether it is perceived as a threat or a challenge. This model highlights that individuals do not react uniformly to the same stressor; instead, their reactions are shaped by their assessments of the situation and their coping resources. While emotional stability, environmental variables, and social experiences can all play a role in how stress is experienced, cognitive appraisal is the key aspect of this model. It determines whether an individual feels capable of managing the stressor and influences their overall emotional and psychological response. By focusing on how individuals assess and interpret situations, the transactional model provides a deeper understanding of the nuanced ways in which stress can be managed and experienced differently among people.