Psychosocial Stress
Exposure Definition
Chronic or acute stress from social, psychological, or environmental sources. Includes childhood adversity, discrimination, social isolation, financial strain, trauma, and major life events. Affects mental health, behavior, and physiologic stress responses.
Proxies
| Name | Unit | Measurement | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perceived stress scale | score | PSS-10 questionnaire | Self-report |
| ACE score | 0-10 | Adverse childhood experiences | Retrospective questionnaire |
Biological Systems Affected
mental health
Cortisol, HPA axis; anxiety, depression, psychosis risk
cardiovascular
Stress-induced hypertension, inflammation
Sensitive Developmental Windows
adolescence (10-24)
Identity formation; stress sensitivity; trauma effects
GxE Highlights
No GxE highlights recorded.
Tissue-Specific Notes
brain— HPA axis
References
- 1.McEwen BS (2007). Stress and health. Nature. doi:10.1038/nature05444