Final answer:
A vertical stressor that might be experienced with the loss of a parent is emotional distress, as it is a profound life-altering challenge that causes significant psychological impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
When experiencing the loss of a parent, a vertical stressor refers to a significant and life-altering challenge that can cause substantial distress. Emotional distress, financial burden, physical health issues, and social isolation can all be experienced as vertical stressors during such traumatic life events. Nevertheless, in the context of the options provided, emotional distress would likely be considered a vertical stressor that might be experienced with the loss of a parent. This is because grief, an intense emotional response to loss, significantly impacts an individual's psychological and emotional state, which aligns with the definition of a vertical stressor as something that profoundly alters a person's life experience.