Final answer:
The 'stress' in the interactive diathesis-stress model refers to the external factors triggering mental health issues, which, in interaction with an individual's vulnerabilities or diathesis, can influence mental health.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the interactive diathesis-stress model, the 'stress' part refers to external factors that trigger mental health issues. This implies that these external factors can activate an individual's inherent vulnerabilities—which is the 'diathesis' in the model—leading to the development or exacerbation of mental health conditions. The diathesis, can be a result of genetics, biological factors, or life experiences and its interaction with stress can influence an individual's mental health.
Stress is a complex concept in health psychology, and it does not only depend on the stressful events themselves but also on how individuals perceive and react to these events. For instance, an event may be experienced as stressful if an individual appraises it as being harmful or if it is believed that the demands of the event exceed their resources for coping. Conversely, the same event might not be stressful for someone else who perceives it differently.
This biopsychosocial model suggests that overall health and illness are influenced by a dynamic interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors including the experience of stress and how it is managed, whether through coping strategies, counseling, or medical treatment.