Henry and his girlfriend were on a cross-country road trip and travelling on I-95. They had a severe car crash which caused injury to Henry’s spine and took the life of his girlfriend. It took him more than a year of physical and psychological therapy to be able to work again. Henry’s stress can be best described as:

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

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of chronic stress: Chronic stress refers to a prolonged and persistent feeling of stress that can result from ongoing situations or events, such as trauma, long-term health issues, or significant life changes.
2. Analyze the situation described in the problem: Henry experienced a severe car crash, which caused both physical injury and the loss of his girlfriend. This traumatic event had long-lasting effects on his physical and psychological well-being.
3. Consider the duration of the stress: The problem states that it took Henry more than a year of therapy to recover and return to work. This indicates that the stress was not short-term but extended over a significant period.
4. Differentiate between the types of stress: Acute stress is short-term and occurs in response to immediate threats or challenges. Emotional stress refers to stress caused by emotional factors. Distress is a general term for negative stress. Chronic stress, however, is long-term and aligns with the prolonged nature of Henry's experience.
5. Conclude that Henry's stress is best described as chronic stress, as it persisted over a long period and was caused by a traumatic event with lasting effects on his life.