Final answer:
Stress can positively influence wellness by motivating individuals, but excessive or chronic stress can negatively affect overall wellness by leading to physical illness and psychological disorders. Hence, option (a) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
How are stress and wellness related? The relationship between stress and wellness is multifaceted. Stress can significantly impact overall wellness in both positive and negative ways. On one hand, stress in manageable doses, often referred to as eustress, can enhance performance and motivate individuals to perform tasks such as studying for exams or completing work assignments efficiently.
However, when stress is extreme or chronic, it becomes distressing and can have profoundly negative consequences on an individual's wellness, contributing to the development of psychological disorders and physical illnesses.
Perceptions of control play a vital role in the stress experience. A higher level of perceived control can lead to better physical and mental health and reduce reactivity to stressors. Conversely, the lack of control and predictability, often associated with lower social status, contributes to higher levels of stress and poorer health outcomes.
Thus, while there is a complex interplay between stress and wellness, it is clear that excessive and unmanaged stress can negatively affect one's overall wellness. Therefore, the most accurate answer to the student's question would be option (a): Stress can negatively affect overall wellness.