Impact of Chronic Stress

1 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Health what does health research show about the impact of chronic stress on (i) brain development (ii) cognitive ability and (iii) life satisfaction of individuals.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Stress is the body's reaction to challenges. It is a normal part of life and helps us to meet the everyday demands of life. However, extreme or chronic stress can be detrimental to health if it overwhelms an individual's ability to cope.

Chronic stress in childhood such as adverse childhood experiences, has been linked with negative effects on brain development. This may put them at increased risk of developing mental disorders.

In adults, chronic stress has been associated with impairment of various cognitive functions, such as memory and attention. While stress has been known to affect physical and emotional well-being, the physiological mechanisms through which this occur remains unclear.

Life satisfaction is influenced by many factors. An optimistic outlook, strong relationships and a supportive environment are factors that can help build resilience that allows an individual to better cope with stress.