Another attractive facet of the appraisal concept is it broadens the notion of stress to INCLUDE psychological factors, particularly personality variables. There is the notion of the hardy personality (e.g. Kobosa, 1979). There is a ‘Hardiness Institute’ and measures for the construct are vigorously marketed to psychologists and therapists.

Hardiness incorporates the appraisal concept of stress by suggesting the specific cognitive MECHANISMS ATTENUATING responses to stressors. ‘High hardy’ individuals see life as meaningful, controllable, and challenging. SEEING life as meaningful enables high hardy individuals to retain a basic sense of purpose. They believe in themselves and what they are doing. Their sense of control means they feel they make things happen rather than things happen to them. Their interest in challenge means, for EXAMPLE, seeing change as opportunity rather than threat.

Another attractive facet of the appraisal concept is it broadens the notion of stress to include psychological factors, particularly personality variables. There is the notion of the hardy personality (e.g. Kobosa, 1979). There is a ‘Hardiness Institute’ and measures for the construct are vigorously marketed to psychologists and therapists.

Hardiness incorporates the appraisal concept of stress by suggesting the specific cognitive mechanisms attenuating responses to stressors. ‘High hardy’ individuals see life as meaningful, controllable, and challenging. Seeing life as meaningful enables high hardy individuals to retain a basic sense of purpose. They believe in themselves and what they are doing. Their sense of control means they feel they make things happen rather than things happen to them. Their interest in challenge means, for example, seeing change as opportunity rather than threat.