What term refers to events that cause stress?

The term "stressors" specifically refers to events or stimuli that cause stress. Stressors can be external events, such as a traumatic experience, a demanding job, or financial difficulties, as well as internal factors like negative thoughts or beliefs. Understanding this term is essential in the field of psychopathology, as it highlights the sources of stress that can lead to psychological distress or disorders.

The other options, while related to stress, do not pinpoint the source in the same way. "Stresses" is a general term for the feelings or reactions to stressors, rather than the events themselves. "Triggers" often refer to specific stimuli that provoke a reaction or re-experience of a traumatic memory but are not a comprehensive term for all stress-inducing events. "Pressures" can describe demands that an individual feels, but it does not encompass all types of stressors and may imply a social context, which is more limited. Thus, "stressors" is the most accurate term for events that cause stress.