Why Would Two Individuals Respond Differently to the Same Stressor

Some people are naturally more sensitive and reactive to stress. Differences in temperament, a collection of inborn personality traits that can be observed as early as infancy, can cause some people to be naturally more resilient in the face of stress while others can feel more threatened and less able to cope.

Does everyone react the same way to the same stressor?

You’re not alone. But not everyone experiences stress the same way. Three out of every four Americans report feeling at least one symptom of stress in the past month. And 45 percent say they lay awake at night due to stress.

How is stress affected by individual differences?

Personality traits are often thought to affect the stress that a person perceives. Specific types of personalities seem to be more susceptible to the effects of stress than others. Job performance is associated with different levels of stress.