Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

Which of the following is an example of a transitional state stressor?

1. Loss of a loved one

2. Depression

3. Moving to a new location

4. Job loss

The correct answer is: Moving to a new location

A transitional state stressor refers to an event or situation that marks a significant change in an individual’s circumstances and can lead to stress as they adjust to the new situation. Moving to a new location perfectly fits this definition because it typically involves a variety of changes, such as adapting to a new environment, finding new services, and possibly adjusting to a different social dynamic. This transition can require significant adjustments, making it a clear example of a transitional state stressor. The other options, while they can certainly be stressors, do not primarily represent transitional states. A loss of a loved one is often classified as a significant and acute stressor, depression is a psychological condition rather than a transition event, and job loss, though impactful, is often seen as a result of external circumstances rather than a transitional state that initiates a lifestyle change in the same way moving does. Each of these stressors may lead to challenges and require coping strategies, but they do not intrinsically involve the process of transition associated with a change in life circumstances like moving does.