Psychological autonomy in stress
Psychological autonomy in stress refers to an individual’s capacity to maintain a sense of control, personal agency, and self-directed functioning under stressful conditions. It involves the ability to act in accordance with one’s own values, make independent decisions, and preserve emotional and cognitive self-regulation despite external pressure, uncertainty, or environmental demands.
In contemporary psychology, psychological autonomy in stress is regarded as a protective factor that reduces the negative psychological impact of stress and supports adaptive coping. Rooted in Self-Determination Theory, autonomy is understood as a basic psychological need associated with choice, volition, and authentic self-regulation. When individuals perceive themselves as capable of influencing circumstances and acting according to internally endorsed goals, they demonstrate lower stress reactivity, greater emotional stability, and higher psychological resilience.
Cook, E. C., Wilkinson, K., & Stroud, L. R. (2018). The role of stress response in the association between autonomy and adjustment in adolescents. Physiology & Behavior. Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5882503/
Biegler, P. (2008). Autonomy, stress, and treatment of depression. BMJ. Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2376029/