The response to which type of stressor is likely to change an individual's life course?

The response to a major life event is likely to change an individual's life course because these events are significant transformative experiences that can lead to substantial shifts in one’s personal, social, or professional trajectory. Major life events, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the death of a loved one, demand considerable adjustments in behavior, emotional processing, and life planning. They can influence relationships, career paths, and mental health, ultimately redefining an individual's future.

In contrast, acute stressors are typically short-term and may not have lasting effects on a person’s life trajectory. While they can certainly induce significant stress, their transient nature means they don't usually result in long-term changes. Chronic stressors, although they can profoundly affect psychological and physical health over time, often produce a gradual adaptation rather than a definitive change in life course. Daily hassles generally refer to minor irritations that, while they can accumulate, do not have the same level of impact on a person's life direction as major life events.