______ stress is stress that is suffered for a prolonged period of time in which an individual perceives they have little or no control.

• A. Past stress
• B. Chronic stress
• C. Future stress
• D. Temporary Stress

Answer: (B)

Chronic stress is stress that lasts for a prolonged period and is tied to a perception of little or no control. When a stressor persists and you feel unable to change the situation, the stress response stays activated, rather than letting the body return to baseline. Over time this ongoing activation can affect health, mood, and functioning because the stress system is continuously engaged. This emphasis on both duration and perceived lack of control distinguishes it from other forms of stress.

Past stress refers to stress that has already occurred, not the ongoing experience. Future stress isn’t a standard term used to describe an ongoing condition, and temporary stress describes short-lived stress that resolves quickly.