CONTROL AND INTRUSIVE MEMORIES AS POSSIBLE DETERMINANTS OF CHRONIC STRESS

Amidst confusion about the nature and usefulness of the stress constru ct and distinctions between acute and chronic stress, research has beg un to identify mechanisms by which stress affects health and by which stress can persist beyond the physical presence of the stressor. In ad dition, research has begun to identify reasons for selective vulnerabi lity to chronic stress. One of the possible reasons for chronic stress following traumatic events is the disorganizing effect of loss of con trol and violation of expectations for regulating aspects of one's lif e normally under control. Data from a longitudinal study of chronic st ress at Three Mile Island in the wake of the nuclear accident there su ggest that loss of control and frequent experience of intrusive memori es about the accident and its aftermath were related to persistent str ess responding several years after the accident. The relationships bet ween stress responding and conditioning and consolidation of stressful memories are considered as a basis for persistent intrusive memories and chronic stress.