Which of the following best describes a situational loss in the context of stress psychology?

• A. A loss that is related to a person's internal psychological state rather than external circumstances.
• B. A loss that is anticipated as part of the normal life cycle, such as aging or retirement.
• C. A loss that is not recognized by society, such as the loss of a pet or a miscarriage.
• D. A loss that occurs as a result of a specific event or situation, such as losing a job or experiencing a natural disaster.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of 'situational loss' within stress psychology. Situational loss refers to losses that arise from specific external events or circumstances, rather than internal psychological states or expected life changes.
2. Step 2: Differentiate situational loss from other types of loss, such as developmental loss (which is anticipated and part of normal life cycles) and internal psychological loss (which relates to feelings or mental states).
3. Step 3: Recognize examples of situational loss, such as losing a job, experiencing a natural disaster, or other sudden, external events that disrupt a person's life.
4. Step 4: Compare the provided answer choices by matching their descriptions to the definition of situational loss, focusing on whether the loss is event-driven and external.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description of situational loss is the one that highlights loss resulting from a specific event or situation, such as losing a job or experiencing a natural disaster.