Which type of illness is considered a behavioral stressor in the context of stress psychology?

• A. Viral infection
• B. Genetic disorder
• C. Autoimmune disease
• D. Substance abuse

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of a behavioral stressor: In stress psychology, behavioral stressors are those that arise from an individual's actions or behaviors, rather than from external physical or biological causes.
2. Review the options given: Viral infection, Genetic disorder, Autoimmune disease, and Substance abuse. Consider which of these is primarily caused or influenced by behavior.
3. Recognize that viral infections, genetic disorders, and autoimmune diseases are typically biological or physiological in origin and not directly caused by behavior.
4. Identify substance abuse as a behavior-related issue, where the individual's choices and actions contribute to the stressor, making it a behavioral stressor.
5. Conclude that substance abuse fits the definition of a behavioral stressor because it involves behaviors that can cause or exacerbate stress.