Stress Mindset: Shaping Well-being and Performance

Understanding Stress: Beyond Harmful Effects

Stress is a universal and multifaceted experience that has long intrigued scientists, clinicians, and educators. Traditionally viewed as a harmful force, stress has been linked to a broad range of negative health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, mental illness, and impaired immune function (Schneiderman et al., 2005; Sapolsky, 1996). However, emerging research has begun to challenge this view, proposing a more nuanced understanding of stress that recognizes not only its potential costs but also its benefits. Central to this evolving perspective is the concept of “stress mindset”—the beliefs individuals hold about the nature and effects of stress (Crum, Salovey, & Achor, 2013).

What is Stress Mindset?

A stress mindset is defined as the extent to which a person believes that stress has enhancing or debilitating consequences for outcomes such as performance, health, and personal growth. People with a “stress-is-enhancing” mindset tend to view stress as a challenge that can fuel motivation, learning, and resilience. In contrast, those with a “stress-is-debilitating” mindset are more likely to perceive stress as harmful, leading to avoidance behaviors, increased distress, and poorer physical and mental health outcomes (Keech et al., 2018; Huebschmann & Sheets, 2020). Notably, this mindset is not fixed: several studies have demonstrated that stress mindsets can be altered through brief interventions, such as multimedia videos or imagery-based exercises, resulting in improved coping, reduced distress, and even physiological benefits like healthier cortisol profiles (Crum et al., 2013; Crum et al., 2017).

Stress Mindset vs. Cognitive Appraisals

This emerging line of inquiry aligns with earlier conceptual work by Lazarus and Folkman (1984), who emphasized the importance of cognitive appraisals in shaping the stress response. However, stress mindset differs from appraisals in a key way: whereas appraisals are context-specific evaluations of particular stressors, stress mindset refers to an individual’s generalized beliefs about stress as a broader construct. This distinction has significant implications for intervention, as modifying stress mindset may offer a more sustainable and broadly applicable strategy for improving outcomes across various stress-inducing contexts.

Impact on University Students

One population that appears particularly susceptible to stress—and therefore stands to benefit greatly from mindset-based interventions—is university students. College life is frequently cited as a major source of both acute and chronic stress, due to academic pressures, social transitions, and uncertainty about the future. Unsurprisingly, students reporting high levels of stress are also more likely to experience depressive symptoms, anxiety, and academic difficulties (Beiter et al., 2015). Yet studies have shown that students who adopt a stress-is-enhancing mindset report better psychological well-being, greater use of proactive coping strategies, and higher academic performance (Jenkins et al., 2021; Keech et al., 2018).

Future Research and Study Focus

Despite these promising findings, several questions remain. For instance, it is unclear whether stress mindset operates similarly across different types of stressors (e.g., controllable vs. uncontrollable, acute vs. chronic), or whether mindset may moderate the relationship between perceived stress and specific outcomes such as depression or cognitive performance (Huebschmann & Sheets, 2020). Moreover, while prior research has established that stress mindsets can be manipulated in laboratory settings, less is known about the durability and real-world applicability of these changes, particularly among vulnerable groups such as young adults or those facing significant life transitions.

This study will investigate how stress mindset affects individuals when they experience stress. The focus of the study may be on mental health (such as depression), academic performance, or how people deal with stress. However, the main idea remains consistent: individuals who believe stress can be helpful will achieve better results than those who perceive stress as solely detrimental. A deeper understanding of this phenomenon can empower individuals to improve their well-being and performance in daily life.

References

• Crum, A., Akinola, M., Martin Ashley, & Fath Sean. (2017). The role of stress mindset in shaping cognitive, emotional, and physiological responses to challenging and threatening stress. An International Journal, 1477-2205. http://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2016.1275585
• Crum, A., Salovey, P., & Achor, S. (2013). Rethinking stress: The role of mindsets in determining the stress response. Psychological Review, 104(4), 716–733. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031201
• Huebschmann, N., & Sheets, E. (2020). The right mindset: Stress mindset moderates the association between perceived stress and depressive symptoms. An International Journal, 1477-2205. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2020.1736900
• Jenkins, A., Weeks, M., & Hard, B. (2021). General and specific stress mindsets: Links with college student health and academic performance. PLoS ONE, 16(9), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256351
• Keech, J., Hagger, M., O’Callaghan, F., & Hamilton, K. (2018). The influence of university students’ stress mindsets on health and performance outcomes. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kay008