Anil and Bina work in the same busy office. After six months, Anil stays healthy and cheerful, while Bina often falls ill and feels low. In recent years, psychologists hold that which of the following mainly decides such differences in well-being and health?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → The way each of them copes with stress
Option (1) The amount of stress each of them experiences — Incorrect. The amount of stress is the stress a person experiences. The present view is that this is not what decides well-being and health; two people with much stress can end up very differently.
Option (2) The way each of them copes with stress — Correct. Coping is the set of concrete responses a person makes to reduce stress. It is how we cope, not how much stress we face, that influences well-being, social functioning and health. Bina's poor coping fits her frequent illness.
Option (3) The number of stressful life events each of them faces — Incorrect. Major life events are one source of stress, so their number is still part of the stress one experiences. That is not the deciding factor in the current view.
NCERT (2026-27): “COPING WITH STRESS |