As mentioned above, early stress research in psychology
and sociology focused only on the health
effects of acute changes in people’s lives (e.g.,
divorce, job loss, bereavement, child’s car accident).
Researchers ignored other problems or
demands that were recurrent or enduring, requiring
individuals to readjust their behaviors over
long periods of time. Such persistent or repeated
demands were termed chronic strains or ongoing
difficulties (Brown and Harris 1978; Pearlin et al.
1981). Examples included insufficient income to
pay monthly bills, work-family conflict, caring
for a disabled child or frail parent, troubled relationships
with coworkers, and living in a dangerous
neighborhood. To tap this domain of stressful