Final answer:
The statement 'Stress increases with age' is not necessarily true as stress varies greatly among individuals. It's important to understand that both positive and negative experiences can be stressors, and individual responses to stress can be quite varied, leading to different health outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Stress and Its Effects
To answer the original question, the statement "Stress increases with age" would generally not be considered true as stress is a highly individual experience and not solely dependent on age. Let's explore further. Going on vacation can indeed be considered a form of stress, as stress encompasses both positive and negative experiences that require some degree of adjustment. It is true that there are generally three phases of stress as indicated by Selye's general adaptation syndrome: an initial alarm phase, a phase of resistance or adaptation, and eventually exhaustion if the stress is prolonged. Lastly, the notion that short-term stresses rarely do damage may not be accurate for everyone, as individuals respond to stress differently and even short-term stress can have significant effects on those with certain health conditions or weakened immune systems.
While stress can often contribute positively to our lives by motivating us, it can also have a range of negative physiological, cognitive, and behavioral responses. These responses can lead to physical illnesses and diseases if the stress is chronic or intense. Therefore, understanding the variety of stressors, both acute and chronic, as well as individual differences in stress responses, is crucial. Researchers have moved beyond stimulus-based definitions to recognize these individual differences in perception and reaction to stressful events and situations.