A looming deadline at work, a clogged toilet, an argument with a loved one - these daily hassles can make any day feel more stressful. When these demands pile up, it can feel overwhelming, like there's no end in sight. Yet, the perception of control could make resolving these everyday inconveniences easier, according to a new study from a team including researchers from Penn State.
The research team found that on days when people felt they had more control over stressors than usual, they were 62% more likely to take actions, such as calling the plumber or tackling a difficult conversation, to resolve the stressors, and this relationship strengthens with age. The findings suggest that one's sense of control over everyday stressors could be a resource - one that can be strengthened or increased - for managing daily life and impact health outcomes.
The study was published in the journal Communications Psychology.
