The Nature of Adversity: Intensity and Duration

Understanding that Not All Adversity is Equal

We don't truly know how resilient we are until stress and the difficult things in life test us in one way or another.

It is very important to understand that not all adversity is the same, as stress varies along two dimensions that are completely different from each other.

These two dimensions that define the nature of any stressor are, on the one hand, its intensity, and on the other hand, its duration over time.

Analyzing adversity through these two axes allows us to better understand its impact and prepares us to be able to respond in a much more appropriate way.

The First Dimension: The Intensity of Impact

The first dimension is intensity, which is defined as the emotional, mental, and physical impact that a stressor has on our being.

We must consider intensity as a continuum that goes from mild to severe, although what is mild or severe is subjective to each person.

Some examples of mild stressors might include spilling a glass of juice, experiencing bad traffic on the way to work, or hearing negative economic news on television.

Moderate stressors include things like learning you don't have money to pay the bills or having a serious argument where your partner threatens to leave.

On the other hand, severe stressors might include getting fired, the death of a loved one, being in an accident, or being the victim of an assault.

The Second Dimension: The Duration of Stress

The second dimension that defines adversity is its duration, which has to do with whether the stressor is acute or chronic.

Acute stress refers to a single, one-time event, such as being in an accident or witnessing a robbery unexpectedly.

This type of stress is characterized by its immediate and often intense impact, but it occurs in a single moment and, in theory, it doesn't repeat itself.

The death of a loved one or being assaulted are also examples of acute stress that can have a p