stress appraisal

Stress appraisal is the process of evaluating whether a situation is threatening or manageable. When you encounter a potential stressor, your mind quickly assesses if it’s a challenge you can handle or a risk that could harm you. This assessment influences how you feel and how you respond—if you see it as manageable, you’re more likely to feel confident; if it’s perceived as threatening, you may become anxious or overwhelmed. Essentially, stress appraisal shapes your emotional reaction and guides your coping strategies, playing a key role in how you experience stress.