What type of crisis is Mrs. Dolan experiencing due to multiple stressors, including her husband's infidelity and her daughter's decision to leave college?

Mrs. Dolan is experiencing a situational crisis as her challenges arise from specific external stressors, such as her husband's infidelity and her daughter's departure from college. This type of crisis is characterized by unexpected and often overwhelming events that significantly disrupt an individual’s equilibrium. Unlike a developmental crisis, which occurs at predictable life stages and transitions, or a chronic crisis, which is ongoing and often tied to long-term issues, a situational crisis is typically acute in nature as it requires an immediate emotional response due to these sudden changes or stressors in her life.

The circumstances affecting Mrs. Dolan are not the result of a gradual build-up but rather immediate and pressing events that force her to confront significant emotional turmoil. Understanding this distinction helps clarify why these specific stressors lead to a situational crisis in her case.