© 2003 Oxford University Press
When Stress Constitutes Trauma and Trauma Constitutes Crisis: The Stress-Trauma-Crisis Continuum
From the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee (Dulmus) and the Social Work Department at Rochester Institute of Technology (Hilarski).
Contact author: Catherine N. Dulmus, PhD, ACSW, Assistant Professor, The University of Tennessee, College of Social Work, 301 Henson Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996. E-mail- cdulmus{at}utk.edu.
The literature indicates researchers and practitioners often confuse the terms stress, trauma, and crisis. Commonly these terms describe both the event and the response, which is circular reasoning. This article attempts to address the confusion through definition of terms, explanation of the stress-trauma-crisis continuum, and a case study to illustrate points. The correct use of terms is essential for appropriate assessment, intervention, and outcome measurement. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 3:2735 (2003)]
KEY WORDS: stress, crisis, trauma events, perceptions, appraisal, perceived coping, trauma exposure