Final answer:
The statement that stress is an emotional and physical strain caused by one's response to pressure from the outside world is true. Stress involves both perception and response to stimuli, and its effects can vary greatly among individuals, potentially leading to health issues if persistent or excessive.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stress, as commonly understood in the context of human health, is an emotional and physical strain caused by a person's response to pressure from the outside world, which is true based on the initial statement provided. This encompasses various physiological, cognitive, and behavioral responses to situations that are appraised as overwhelming or threatening.
Researchers have long debated on defining stress; however, the consensus describes it as a combination of responses to certain stimuli or pressure with significant variance from person to person.
One widely accepted approach is that stress involves both the perception of an event and the individual's response to it, as per the process conceptualization by Lazarus & Folkman (1984). This understanding emphasizes the subjective experience: if an event is appraised as harmful and beyond one's coping resources, it can lead to feelings of stress. Conversely, events not deemed harmful may not evoke stress.
While some stress can be positive and lead to personal growth—a notion often referred to as 'eustress'—persistent or excessive stress is linked to various health issues, comprising both mental and physical ailments.