Which term describes stress that is primarily linked to mental and emotional responses rather than physical symptoms?

• A. Physiological stress
• B. Acute stress
• C. Psychological stress
• D. Chronic stress

Answer: (C)

Stress described as mental and emotional responses rather than physical symptoms centers on how thoughts, worries, and feelings shape the experience. That focus is captured by psychological stress, which emphasizes the internal mental-emotional process of perceiving and reacting to stressors. While there can be physical symptoms that accompany it, the defining feature here is the mind and emotions driving the stress.

Physiological stress, by contrast, highlights the body's bodily reactions—heart rate changes, hormones, and other bodily responses—rather than the mental experience. Acute and chronic stress refer to how long the stress lasts, not where the primary emphasis lies (mental versus physical). So the option that best matches a stress experience rooted in mental and emotional responses is psychological stress.