Which of the following is a situational stressor?

• A. Job/career
• B. Relationships
• C. Sleep deprivation
• D. Positive changes

Answer: (B)

Situational stressors arise from specific life events or environmental circumstances that require you to adapt. Relationships fit this well because they involve ongoing social interactions and events (like conflicts, trust issues, or changing dynamics) that can create stress depending on the situation. Sleep deprivation is a physiological stressor—it's about how the body responds to not getting enough sleep, a biological state rather than a particular life situation. Positive changes are typically considered eustress, or positive stress, rather than a stressor in the usual sense. So relationships are the clearest example of a situational stressor.