Meera is a Class 12 student in Lucknow. Last monsoon, floods in her district damaged her school building, and classes moved to a temporary hall. In the weeks before her board examinations she slept barely four hours a night and often skipped meals. She keeps telling herself, 'I must score full marks in every subject.' Her aunt expects her to tutor two younger cousins every evening, and her father has been ill for some months. A neighbour also quarrels with the family over parking. Lately Meera has frequent mood swings, feels tense most of the day and finds it hard to concentrate on revision.
Meera's frequent mood swings and constant tension are best described as which effect of stress?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (1) → Emotional effects
| Option | Reason |
|---|---|
| Option (1): Emotional effects. Correct. | Mood swings and the tension felt through the day are changes in feeling. These are the emotional effects of stress, which include anxiety, depression, increased tension and mood swings. |
| Option (2): Physiological effects. Incorrect. | Physiological effects are bodily changes, such as the release of adrenaline and cortisol, an increased heart rate and constriction of blood vessels. |
| Option (3): Cognitive effects. Incorrect. | Cognitive effects of stress are poor concentration and reduced short-term memory capacity, which show in a person's thinking and decisions. |
| Option (4): Behavioural effects. Incorrect. | Behavioural effects show in what a person does, such as difficulties with sleep and eating, irregular attendance or misuse of drugs. |
NCERT (2026-27): “EFFECTS OF STRESS ON PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING AND HEALTH … |