Which term best describes a negative reaction to stress that can impair performance?

Which term best describes a negative reaction to stress that can impair performance?

• A. Distress
• B. Eustress
• C. Anxiety
• D. Stress

Answer: (A)

Distress is the negative stress reaction that can impair performance. When stress becomes overwhelming or misdirected, the body and mind respond with symptoms like muscle tension, faster breathing, worry, and reduced concentration. These signs can disrupt timing, decision-making, and skill execution, leading to poorer performance. In contrast, eustress is positive stress that can boost motivation and performance, and while anxiety involves worry, the term that best captures the harmful stress response harming performance is distress. Stress describes the overall concept, but distress specifies the negative reaction.

Distress is the negative stress reaction that can impair performance. When stress becomes overwhelming or misdirected, the body and mind respond with symptoms like muscle tension, faster breathing, worry, and reduced concentration. These signs can disrupt timing, decision-making, and skill execution, leading to poorer performance.

In contrast, eustress is positive stress that can boost motivation and performance, and while anxiety involves worry, the term that best captures the harmful stress response harming performance is distress. Stress describes the overall concept, but distress specifies the negative reaction.