The impact of stress and emotional intelligence on coping behavior and mental health

INTRODUCTION In the present time with increase in industrialization, urbanization and globalization, no one can escape the claws of stress. A human being is compelled to deal with stress for survival. Stress is a real, measurable and Psycho-physiological condition which can be readily identified. It varies from person to person and from time to time. Stress arises when an individual comes across the life event for which responses are not available in his / her repertoire. In order to understand the role that pressures and problem can play in damaging a person's physical health and psychological well-being, it is essential to understand the concept of stress. Although it is true that the concept of stress has been relatively complicated. Stress was conceptualized by Robert Hooke in 1600s, "according to the mechanical principles of load (External force), stress (Area upon which the force is exerted and 'strain' was thought of as damage or deformation as a result of load and stress (Hinkle, 1973)).""Thus stress although is a physical construct but in the field of Psychology, Biology and Medicine, it is applied to human organism. Stress can involve physical strain (such as taxing an individual beyond its strength) and psychological strain, hardship or difficulty (such as negative emotional reactions that result from conflict in relationship) (Lumsden,1981)." According to Cannon the term stress refers to physiological and emotional stimuli that cause an animal to regain homeostasis. Events that disturb an individual's normal internal environment are considered as stressful. Cannon emphasized the disruptive nature of outside events and defined stress as environmental stimuli. Following the views of Cannon, initially, Selye also conceptualized stress as environmental stimuli. He defined it as "Any external event or internal drive which threatens the organismic equilibrium". (Selye, 1956) However, later on, he referred to stress as a condition within the organism and a response to the environment. Following the views of Cannon, initially he repeatedly insisted "stress to be a non-specific response, a general response to any of a number of environmental stressors". He was consistent to this notion till last. The body's generalized attempt to defend itself against noxious agents became popularized as "general adaptation syndrome,