Which of the following is an example of a situation where differential vulnerability might be a factor in experiencing stress?

• A. A person experiences stress only after a physical injury.
• B. A person feels stressed after drinking too much coffee in the morning.
• C. Everyone in a classroom feels equally nervous before an exam regardless of their background.
• D. Two employees face the same job loss, but one experiences severe anxiety due to a lack of social support while the other copes well because of a strong support network.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of differential vulnerability, which refers to the idea that individuals differ in their susceptibility to stressors based on personal or environmental factors.
2. Identify that differential vulnerability means that even when exposed to the same stressor, people may experience different levels of stress or psychological impact.
3. Analyze each option to see if it describes a situation where the same stressor affects people differently due to individual differences or contextual factors.
4. Recognize that the example where two employees face the same job loss but respond differently due to differences in social support illustrates differential vulnerability.
5. Conclude that this example highlights how personal resources or vulnerabilities influence stress responses, which is the core idea behind differential vulnerability.