Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, developed by psychologists Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman, suggests that stress is not just about the event itself but how we perceive and respond to it. It involves two key processes: the primary appraisal, where we evaluate if an event is a threat or challenge, and the secondary appraisal, where we assess our ability to cope with it. Our coping strategies—whether problem-focused (dealing with the problem) or emotion-focused (managing feelings)—affect our stress levels and well-being. Thus, it's a dynamic interaction between the individual and their environment.