The effect of long-term mental stress is known as:

The effect of long-term mental stress is known as:

• A. Negative attitude
• B. Low morale
• C. Burnout
• D. Lack of drive

Answer: (C)

Long-term mental stress leads to burnout, a recognized pattern of response to ongoing work strain. Burnout is more than just feeling tired or moody; it’s a syndrome that develops from prolonged stress and includes emotional exhaustion, a sense of detachment or cynicism toward the job, and a feeling of reduced personal accomplishment. In practical terms, it shows up as persistent fatigue, withdrawal from work, and declining performance over time, which fits situations in demanding roles like dispatch where stress accumulates. The other terms describe moods or motivational states rather than this full pattern: a negative attitude or low morale capture mood or spirit but not the specific exhaustion and disengagement of burnout, and lack of drive points to motivation alone rather than the broader emotional and cognitive fatigue that burnout involves. Burnout is the term that best describes long-term, work-related mental stress.

Long-term mental stress leads to burnout, a recognized pattern of response to ongoing work strain. Burnout is more than just feeling tired or moody; it’s a syndrome that develops from prolonged stress and includes emotional exhaustion, a sense of detachment or cynicism toward the job, and a feeling of reduced personal accomplishment. In practical terms, it shows up as persistent fatigue, withdrawal from work, and declining performance over time, which fits situations in demanding roles like dispatch where stress accumulates. The other terms describe moods or motivational states rather than this full pattern: a negative attitude or low morale capture mood or spirit but not the specific exhaustion and disengagement of burnout, and lack of drive points to motivation alone rather than the broader emotional and cognitive fatigue that burnout involves. Burnout is the term that best describes long-term, work-related mental stress.