Which of the following is an acute stressor?

• A. Getting into a car accident
• B. Chronic unemployment
• C. Long-term illness
• D. Ongoing housing instability

Answer: (A)

Acute stressors are sudden, short-term events that require immediate adjustment. Getting into a car accident fits this description because it occurs abruptly and typically has a defined onset with a stress response that is intense but short-lived as the immediate crisis passes. In contrast, chronic unemployment, a long-term illness, and ongoing housing instability are persistent, enduring difficulties that continue over time, producing ongoing stress and cumulative strain. While a car accident can lead to longer-term challenges, the stressor itself is considered acute due to its sudden onset and relatively brief duration.