Question

Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.
Jonah wanted to be on the basketball team in high school, but two weeks before tryouts, he became highly anxious to the point that he couldn't eat very well without his stomach feeling queasy. As a result of his stress, Jonah increased his time of practicing basketball and asked an old team member to help him develop new skills he needed in order to make the team. After hearing that he made the basketball team a day after tryouts, Jonah went out for a large pizza with the rest of the team players.

Based on this information, a psychologist would most likely conclude that Jonah's stress __________.

A.
led him to engage in destructive behaviors
B.
interfered with his school work in a negative way
C.
led Jonah toward positive personal changes
D.
chronically impaired Jonah's health

Answer 1

C. It led Jonah toward positive personal changes — his stress motivated increased practice and seeking help, which are adaptive, problem-focused coping strategies that helped him make the team.