Distal stressors and the life stress process

Abstract

The current paper expands the concept of stressors to include two distinct types: recent (proximal) stressors and more distant (distal) stressors. It then examines the role played by these two types of stressors in an expanded model of the life stress process. In expanding the life stress model to include stressors occurring over a longer period of time, the paper first examines the ability of distal stressors to increase the variance explained in depressive symptomatology above and beyond that explained by the more traditional model variables: recent stressors and social support. In modeling distal stressors in the life stress process, two models are tested: (1) an independent model in which stressors and resources are examined for their independent effects on distress, and (2) a deterioration model in which stressors are seen to affect subsequent levels of support, which then serve to increase depression. Analysis showed that distal stressors make a significant and independent contribution to explaining variations in depressive symptomatology, above and beyond that explained by more recent stressors and social support. Support was found for both the independent model and the deterioration model of the life stress process. Distal stressors, proximal stressors, and social support have an independent effect on current depression. Further, distal stressors and proximal stressors erode current levels of support, which in turn impact on current levels of depression. The implications of these and other findings are discussed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.