What is stress? Why do some ethnic groups have higher stress levels than others? How do individuals manage stress?

          Shiraev and Levy (2010), "the realization of a challenge to a person’s capacity to adapt to inner and outer demands is called stress" (p. 164). Stress is a response to psychological and metal processes, and can pose a threat or challenge to an individual's well-being. However, not all stress poses a threat to an individual's well-being. Certain forms of stress enable an individual to better handle particular situations at particular times. Stress may be related to one's perception of loss or lack of control in his or her life. Certain ethnic groups have higher stress levels because they have higher levels of chronic psychological stress because cardiovascular disease, which includes hypertension. Also certain ethnic groups have a higher impact of stress because of other risk factors, such as high cholesterol and financial risk factors, such as poverty. Certain individuals manage stress through stress-coping therapeutic strategies, such as through meditation and exercise.  

Reference

Shiraev, E. B. & Levy, D. A. (2010). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn Bacon.

Hicken, M. T., Lee, H., Morenoff, J., House, J. S., & Williams, D. R. (2014). Racial/Ethnic disparities in hypertension prevalence: Reconsidering the role of chronic stress. American Journal of Public Health, 104(1), 117-123. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1477881542?accountid=458