Final answer:
Perceived control over stress leads to better health outcomes, coping abilities, and a reduction in stress response. This sense of control positively influences one's mental and physical health, regardless of their social status.
Step-by-step explanation:
A perceived control over a stressful situation tends to result in better coping abilities, lower stress reactions, and improved physical and mental health outcomes. This is because perceiving a sense of control over one's life events and outcomes has been associated with favorable health consequences, as research has consistently shown. For instance, Albert Bandura emphasized that perceptions of control are instrumental in regulating the intensity and chronicity of stress. Similarly, studies have shown that greater personal control correlates with diminished emotional and physical reactivity to daily stressors, while a lack of such control, a concept linked to learned helplessness, can lead to negative psychological outcomes.
Regardless of one's social status, a strong sense of perceived control can mitigate the adverse effects of stress and discrimination on mental and physical health. This means that those who feel they have control are likely to report better health, engage in health-promoting behaviors, and exhibit reduced stress responses. Consequently, fostering a sense of control can be a viable strategy for enhancing overall health and well-being.