Non-normative and Normative events help us understand how change and stress may impact our quality of life

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2. Frequency of stressful life events and associations with mental health and general subjective health in the general population (2020):

This article: [invalid URL removed] examines the link between the frequency of stressful life events and mental and general health. It highlights the distinction between normative (expected) events like marriage and non-normative (unexpected) events like job loss. The study found that the number of non-normative stressful life events had a stronger association with poorer mental health compared to normative events. This suggests that unexpected challenges can have a more significant impact on a person's well-being. These articles offer different perspectives on how change and stress affect quality of life. While the first challenges the assumption that all stressful events lead to a decline in well-being, the second emphasizes the significant negative impact of unexpected life events. Both articles highlight the importance of considering the type and suddenness of life events when understanding their influence on a person's quality of life.  

Sample Answer

   

Here are two scholarly journal articles published within the last 5-6 years that explore the impact of change and stress on quality of life, with a focus on non-normative events:

1. Do stressful life events impact long-term well-being? Annual change in well-being following different life events compared to matched controls (2018):

This article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9583262/ investigates the long-term effects of stressful life events on well-being. It compares people who experienced major life stressors (traumatic interpersonal events, job loss, childbirth) to matched controls who did not experience such events. Interestingly, the study found that well-being across various aspects (life satisfaction, belongingness, self-esteem, meaning in life, gratitude) remained consistent for both groups over a year.