Theoretical Background

The Lazarus and Folkman (1984) influential theory of stress and coping, which describes

stress as the outcome of an imbalance between perceived internal or external pressures and

perceived personal and social resources to deal with them, serves as the foundation for this

study. According to their primary conceptualization of the stress experience, these theoretical

explanations can be divided into four groups: stress as an external stimulus; stress as a

response; stress as an interaction between an individual and their environment; and stress as

an individual/environmental transaction (Brough, O'Driscoll, Kalliath, Cooper, and

Poelmans, 2009; Cox and Griffiths, 2010 as cited in Biggs A., et al., 2017). In the study of

stress and coping, cognitive appraisal is gaining more and more importance in appraising

based on people's assessments of how they view stressors as academic exams. Threat and

challenge are two categories used in primary assessment; threat refers to an impending injury

or loss, and challenge refers to a threat that can be met or overcome (Tohmiya, N., et al.,

2018). People constantly assess their surroundings in light of a hierarchy of goals, their well-

being, and other factors. Primary and secondary appraisal levels are frequently distinguished

from one another. The circumstance is rated as stressful if the person-environment

interaction is deemed to be harmful, dangerous, or challenging to the person's well-being.

Finally, a scenario is considered benign-positive if the result of a particular person-

environment relationship is viewed as maintaining or improving the individual's well-being.

With that, the researcher had considered this theory as an important one in this endeavour that

will support this study. The information’s and practical implications of this theory will surely

support the current study the researcher is pursuing. The stress as an alarming issue must

need to be given priority and attention in the present times.

Reference

Biggs, Amanda, Paula Brough, and Suzie Drummond, (2017). Lazarus and Folkman’s

psychological stress and coping theory. The handbook of stress and health: A guide to

research and practice: 351-364.

Tohmiya, N., Tadaka, E., & Arimoto, A. (2018). Cross-sectional study of cognitive stress

appraisal and related factors among workers in metropolitan areas of Japan. BMJ open, 8(6),

e019404