Chaitanya Samvad Interdisciplinary Journal of Research

Author(s): Shashi Kumari  

https://doi.org/10.65250/chaitanyasamvad.v1i2.5

Abstract

Stress is an inevitable component of human existence that exerts profound effects on psychological and physiological wellbeing. Adjustment, the process through which individuals restore equilibrium amid changing circumstances, plays a critical role in moderating the impact of stress. The present theoretical paper explores the dynamic interplay among stress, adjustment, and resilience within the framework of contemporary psychological theories and Indian philosophical thought. By integrating models such as Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome, Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model, and Resilience Theory with Indian perspectives on mental harmony, the paper presents a holistic understanding of adaptive functioning. It argues that resilience is not the absence of stress but the ability to transform adversity into growth. A conceptual model of stress–adjustment–resilience interaction is proposed, emphasizing its implications for mental health promotion, counselling, and holistic wellbeing. The paper concludes that integrative and culturally sensitive approaches are essential for developing sustainable models of mental health and resilience-building in the modern world.