Life Orientation Grade 12 Source-Based Task 2025 Questions:1. Give The Terms Used For Positive Stress And Negative Stress. (1+1)(2)2. Describe The Term Coping Mechanisms In Relation To Stress. (1 X 2) (2)3. Identify FOUR Types Of Stressors.

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Life Orientation Grade 12 Source-Based Task 2025: Understanding Stress and Coping Mechanisms

Stress is a universal experience that affects individuals from all walks of life. It is a natural response to a perceived threat or challenge, and it can have both positive and negative effects on our well-being. In this article, we will explore the terms used to describe positive and negative stress, coping mechanisms, and the different types of stressors that can impact our lives.

Positive Stress and Negative Stress

Positive stress, also known as eustress, is a beneficial response to a challenge or opportunity that can enhance our performance, motivation, and overall well-being. On the other hand, negative stress, also known as distress, is a harmful response to a threat or pressure that can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Positive Stress (Eustress)

  • Terms used for positive stress: Eustress, beneficial stress, positive pressure, or challenge stress.
  • Characteristics: Enhances performance, motivation, and overall well-being.
  • Examples: Public speaking, learning a new skill, or taking on a new challenge.

Negative Stress (Distress)

  • Terms used for negative stress: Distress, harmful stress, negative pressure, or threat stress.
  • Characteristics: Leads to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
  • Examples: Financial problems, relationship issues, or a serious illness.

Coping Mechanisms

Coping mechanisms are strategies or techniques that individuals use to manage and reduce stress. These mechanisms can be adaptive or maladaptive, depending on their effectiveness and impact on mental health.

Adaptive Coping Mechanisms

  • Terms used for adaptive coping mechanisms: Healthy coping, effective coping, or positive coping.
  • Characteristics: Reduces stress, improves mental health, and enhances well-being.
  • Examples: Exercise, meditation, or seeking social support.

Maladaptive Coping Mechanisms

  • Terms used for maladaptive coping mechanisms: Unhealthy coping, ineffective coping, or negative coping.
  • Characteristics: Increases stress, worsens mental health, and decreases well-being.
  • Examples: Substance abuse, avoidance, or aggression.

Types of Stressors

Stressors are the sources or causes of stress that can impact our lives. There are four main types of stressors: internal, external, situational, and chronic.

Internal Stressors

  • Definition: Internal stressors are the internal factors that contribute to stress, such as thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations.
  • Examples: Self-doubt, anxiety, or physical pain.

External Stressors

  • Definition: External stressors are the external factors that contribute to stress, such as people, events, or situations.
  • Examples: Conflict with others, financial problems, or a serious illness.

Situational Stressors

  • Definition: Situational stressors are the specific situations or events that contribute to stress.
  • Examples: Moving to a new home, starting a new job, or experiencing a natural disaster.

Chronic Stressors

  • Definition: Chronic stressors are the ongoing or persistent stressors that can impact our lives over time.
  • Examples: Ongoing financial problems, a serious illness, or a difficult relationship.

In conclusion, stress is a complex and multifaceted experience that can have both positive and negative effects on our well-being. Understanding the terms used to describe positive and negative stress, coping mechanisms, and the different types of stressors can help us better manage and reduce stress in our lives. By adopting healthy coping mechanisms and recognizing the sources of stress, we can improve our mental health and overall well-being.

  1. What are the terms used for positive stress and negative stress?
  2. Describe the term coping mechanisms in relation to stress.
  3. Identify FOUR types of stressors.
  1. Positive stress: eustress, beneficial stress, positive pressure, or challenge stress. Negative stress: distress, harmful stress, negative pressure, or threat stress.
  2. Coping mechanisms are strategies or techniques that individuals use to manage and reduce stress.
  3. Internal, external, situational, and chronic stressors.
    Life Orientation Grade 12 Source-Based Task 2025: Q&A on Stress and Coping Mechanisms

In our previous article, we explored the terms used to describe positive and negative stress, coping mechanisms, and the different types of stressors that can impact our lives. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) on stress and coping mechanisms to provide further clarification and understanding.

Q1: What is the difference between eustress and distress?

A1: Eustress, also known as positive stress, is a beneficial response to a challenge or opportunity that can enhance our performance, motivation, and overall well-being. Distress, on the other hand, is a harmful response to a threat or pressure that can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Q2: What are some examples of eustress?

A2: Some examples of eustress include:

  • Public speaking
  • Learning a new skill
  • Taking on a new challenge
  • Meeting a deadline
  • Receiving a promotion

Q3: What are some examples of distress?

A3: Some examples of distress include:

  • Financial problems
  • Relationship issues
  • A serious illness
  • A natural disaster
  • A traumatic event

Q4: What are coping mechanisms?

A4: Coping mechanisms are strategies or techniques that individuals use to manage and reduce stress. These mechanisms can be adaptive or maladaptive, depending on their effectiveness and impact on mental health.

Q5: What are some examples of adaptive coping mechanisms?

A5: Some examples of adaptive coping mechanisms include:

  • Exercise
  • Meditation
  • Seeking social support
  • Journaling
  • Practicing gratitude

Q6: What are some examples of maladaptive coping mechanisms?

A6: Some examples of maladaptive coping mechanisms include:

  • Substance abuse
  • Avoidance
  • Aggression
  • Denial
  • Rumination

Q7: What are internal stressors?

A7: Internal stressors are the internal factors that contribute to stress, such as thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations.

Q8: What are external stressors?

A8: External stressors are the external factors that contribute to stress, such as people, events, or situations.

Q9: What are situational stressors?

A9: Situational stressors are the specific situations or events that contribute to stress.

Q10: What are chronic stressors?

A10: Chronic stressors are the ongoing or persistent stressors that can impact our lives over time.

In conclusion, understanding stress and coping mechanisms is essential for managing and reducing stress in our lives. By recognizing the terms used to describe positive and negative stress, coping mechanisms, and the different types of stressors, we can better navigate the challenges of life and improve our mental health and overall well-being.

  1. What is the difference between eustress and distress?
  2. What are some examples of eustress and distress?
  3. What are coping mechanisms?
  4. What are some examples of adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms?
  5. What are internal, external, situational, and chronic stressors?
  1. Eustress is a beneficial response to a challenge or opportunity, while distress is a harmful response to a threat or pressure.
  2. Examples of eustress include public speaking, learning a new skill, and taking on a new challenge. Examples of distress include financial problems, relationship issues, and a serious illness.
  3. Coping mechanisms are strategies or techniques that individuals use to manage and reduce stress.
  4. Examples of adaptive coping mechanisms include exercise, meditation, and seeking social support. Examples of maladaptive coping mechanisms include substance abuse, avoidance, and aggression.
  5. Internal stressors are the internal factors that contribute to stress, external stressors are the external factors that contribute to stress, situational stressors are the specific situations or events that contribute to stress, and chronic stressors are the ongoing or persistent stressors that can impact our lives over time.