PsychologyJuly 4, 2026
stressor
/ˈstrɛsər/
Definition
Any factor, event, or condition that causes strain, tension, or mental pressure.
Etymology
The word is derived from the English noun 'stress' combined with the agent suffix '-or,' which indicates a person or thing that performs an action. It gained prominence in the mid-20th century, particularly within the fields of psychology and biology to describe external agents that disrupt an organism's equilibrium.
In the news
In this article, the term refers to the various workplace and neighborhood challenges that middle-aged adults encounter, which contribute to their overall mental and cognitive decline.
The New Midlife Crisis: Mental and Cognitive Health in Middle-Aged Americans Is Declining
Read the full article ↗Association for Psychological Science – APS