The transactional stress theory
Lazarus states that stress is a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that the
“demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize." this is called the 'transactional model of stress and coping. Neither the environmental event nor the people response defines stress, rather the individuals perception of the psychological situation is the critical factor. According to Lazarus, the effect that stress has on a person is based more on that persons feeling of threat, vulnerability and ability to cope than on the stressful event itself. He defines psychological stress as a
"particular relationship between the person and environment that is appraised by the person as taxing or exceeding his or her resources and endangering his or her wellbeing."