A stress response model, primarily observed in females, involves nurturing behaviors designed to protect oneself and one’s offspring (tending) and creating social networks that provide resources and protection (befriending). This alternative to the “fight or flight” response suggests that under stress, individuals, particularly women, are inclined to seek social connections and provide care to others. An illustration of this might involve a woman experiencing job loss who, instead of isolating herself, actively seeks support from friends and family while simultaneously focusing on caring for her children to maintain a sense of stability.
The significance of this stress response model lies in its challenge to traditional understandings of stress responses, which predominantly focused on the “fight or flight” mechanism observed largely in male subjects. Recognizing this distinct reaction pattern provides a more nuanced understanding of human behavior under duress. It highlights the potential adaptive benefits of social affiliation and caregiving in managing stress and ensuring survival, particularly for women and their offspring. The theory emerged as a counterpoint to earlier stress models that often overlooked sex differences in stress responses, emphasizing the need for more inclusive research methodologies.
