A sense of control and predictability make stressors less stressful and are protective against negative health outcomes.

“And the scenario either is the shocks come now and then, or the shocks come now and then, and 10 seconds before a little warning light comes on. And when you get the warning light, the shocks are distressful. You got predictability because if you're not getting warning lights, any second you could be a half second away from the next shock. You get a warning light, and you know that if there isn't one, you've got at least 10 seconds worth of relaxation. You know what's coming, you can prepare your coping responses, and best of all afterward you know when you're finally safe, when you can recover from it. And that's enormously protective.”