ABSTRACT
Introduction In 1932, Hans Selye introduced the concept of stress as a syndrome that occurs as organisms attempt to adapt to various “noxious” substances (Szabo, Tache, & Somogyi, 2012). Within 40 years, more than 100,000 papers had been published on the topics of stress and stress response indicating its importance as a topic of investigation (Selye, 1976). In any discussion of mental health and illness, stress is an important and universal concept. All people will experi - ence it during their lives. The way in which stressors are perceived and interpreted can determine whether stress functions as a motivator for change or a cause of distress or illness. It is imperative that nurses understand the nature of stress, factors that facilitate or hinder an individual’s ability to cope with stressors, and specific interventions that are effective for the management of stress or disorders associated with stress. This chapter will focus primarily on chronic stress and variables that affect its management by individuals, families, communities and societies.
