Which of the following statements is NOT true about emotional stress?

• A. Emotional stress can result from interpersonal conflicts or traumatic events.
• B. Effective coping strategies can help reduce the impact of emotional stress.
• C. Emotional stress always leads to positive psychological growth.
• D. Symptoms of emotional stress may include anxiety, irritability, and mood swings.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of emotional stress. Emotional stress refers to the psychological and physiological response to challenging or threatening situations, such as interpersonal conflicts or traumatic events.
2. Step 2: Review the statements given about emotional stress. Identify which statements are generally accepted as true based on psychological research and theory.
3. Step 3: Analyze the statement 'Emotional stress always leads to positive psychological growth.' Consider that while stress can sometimes lead to growth (a concept known as post-traumatic growth), it is not guaranteed and can also have negative effects.
4. Step 4: Compare this statement with the others: emotional stress can result from conflicts or trauma, coping strategies can reduce its impact, and symptoms include anxiety and mood swings. These are all supported by psychological evidence.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the statement claiming emotional stress always leads to positive psychological growth is NOT true, because emotional stress can have varied outcomes depending on individual and situational factors.