Perceived Primal Threat, Stress, and Health: Further Examination of the Role of Perceived Primal Threat in the Stress Process

ABSTRACT

The general aim of the two studies presented here was to further examine the role of Perceived Primal Threat (PPT) in the stress process. PPT refers to threats against a four-component set of interdependent “primal” needs: self-preservation, social integration, personal identity and growth, and personal worldview. These threats are suggested to represent a pathway through which stress affects health. The first study (cross-sectional) was conducted in a sample of 216 healthy adults, while the second (prospective) in a sample of 137 chronically ill outpatients. The findings of both studies underlined the incremental and discriminant validity of PPT in relation to other stress-related variables. Furthermore, they provided support to the hypotheses that PPT is independently related to well-being and also mediates the relation of the stressful condition to well-being. Overall, the two studies underlined the important role of PPT in the stress process and indicated that PPT represents a promising research area.

Keywords:

• human needs
• perceived primal threat
• stress and health
• stress process
• well-being