Which type of stress is considered negative?

• A. Acute stress
• B. Chronic stress
• C. Distress
• D. Eustress

Answer: (C)

The main concept here is distinguishing stress by its valence and duration: some stresses are negative and overwhelming, while others can be positive or manageable. Distress refers to stress that is negative, overwhelming, and harmful to well-being, often occurring when demands exceed one’s coping resources and it disrupts functioning. In contrast, acute stress is short-term and can sometimes be adaptive, chronic stress is long-lasting and harmful, and eustress is positive stress that motivates and enhances performance. So the negative type described here is distress because it embodies the adverse emotional response to demands that exceed coping ability.