The article substantiates the relevance of theoretical understanding of the impact of social stress on the individual. The purpose of the article is to provide an overview of various theoretical concepts that allow us to make assumptions about the mechanisms of influence of social stress on the mental state and adaptation of the individual in society, and on the basis of this review to identify the specifics of the impact of this type of stress on a person.

According to the data available in the scientific literature, social stress under intense or prolonged exposure leads to a wide range of reactions – from activation of information retrieval to reactive psychotic reactions and increased morbidity and mortality.

As a result of the analysis of the scientific literature, it is concluded that social stressors can have both a direct impact on the human body and psyche, and indirect effects. In the latter case, as intermediate mechanisms can act: emotional state, cognitive assessment, consciousness of the individual, social consciousness.

The conclusion is formulated that social stressors, in contrast to physical stressors, affect the mental state and socio-psychological adaptation of the individual, mainly indirectly – reflected in her mind and the public consciousness of the group to which it belongs.

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