low frustration tolerance

USAGE SUMMARY

"low frustration tolerance" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who struggles to cope with frustration or stress. An example: "His low frustration tolerance often leads to outbursts when things don't go his way." Alternative expressions include "poor frustration tolerance" and "limited frustration tolerance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"When kids get sleep-deprived they get whiny and they have very low frustration tolerance," Dr. Owens said.

The New York Times

Christopher Bandini New York, July 7, 2008 • To the Editor: I found as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist that the problems cited in "Challenges of $600-a-Session 600-a-Session 600-a-Session tolerance, issues with intimacy, the need to control and narcissism — occur in all Patients, not just the rich.

The New York Times

I have a very low frustration tolerance, but in spite of my string of infuriating crashes and last-place finishes, MotoGP kept me playing, partly because I was drawn in by the game's exhilarating sense of high velocity, and partly because every once in a while I would hit a turn just right and realize that if I could figure out how I did that, I could win a race.

The New York Times - Tech

Across these studies, low frustration tolerance was associated with increased physical child abuse potential, greater use of parent child aggression in discipline encounters, dysfunctional disciplinary style, support for physical discipline use and physical discipline escalation, and increased heart rate.

Child Abuse & Neglect

Or, for a student struggling with low frustration tolerance, we might provide small chunks of work with the opportunity for a break or other earned incentive.

Huffington Post

PMI - Psychological Medical Inventory; LFT - Low Frustration Tolerance; P-Ap - Performance Approach; P-Av - Performance Avoidance.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

She was withdrawn from early on, showing no interest toward her peers, being passive with inconstant eye-to-eye contact, with low level of frustration tolerance, and restricted interests.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

My experience has been that the new super-rich tend to have high frustration tolerance.

The New York Times

Further, activity increase in lateral prefrontal cortex during frustration correlated positively with parent-reported frustration tolerance.

NeuroImage

Although frustration has long been implicated in promoting aggression, the potential for poor frustration tolerance to function as a risk factor for physical child abuse risk has received minimal attention.

Child Abuse & Neglect

Characterizing the biological mechanisms underlying a wide range of frustration tolerance observed in early childhood may inform maladaptive behavior and psychopathology that is associated with this construct.

NeuroImage

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional contexts, consider using "difficulty tolerating frustration" or "limited ability to handle frustration" as alternative terms to maintain a formal tone.

Common error

Be careful not to attribute a lack of motivation or laziness to someone who displays "low frustration tolerance". While the behaviors might appear similar, the underlying causes and appropriate responses are very different. "Low frustration tolerance" often stems from an inability to cope with setbacks, not necessarily a lack of drive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low frustration tolerance" functions as a descriptive term, indicating a limited capacity to endure or cope with feelings of frustration. It often appears as a characteristic or trait associated with an individual's behavior or psychological state, as exemplified in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Low frustration tolerance" is a commonly used phrase to describe a limited ability to cope with frustration. Ludwig examples show that it appears in both scientific and general contexts, related to discussions on psychology, behavior, and child development. While grammatically correct, it's important to distinguish "low frustration tolerance" from related concepts like lack of motivation or general emotional distress. Alternatives like "difficulty tolerating frustration" can provide a more formal tone. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is appropriate for use in both scientific and general writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low threshold for frustration

Indicates that only a small amount of frustration is needed to cause a reaction.

difficulty tolerating frustration

Emphasizes the struggle to endure frustration.

poor frustration management

Focuses on the ineffective regulation of frustration responses.

limited ability to handle frustration

Highlights the restricted capacity to deal with frustrating situations.

poor coping skills for frustration

Focuses on the lack of effective strategies to manage frustration.

intolerance of setbacks

Highlights the inability to accept or cope with failures or delays.

sensitivity to frustration

Emphasizes the high degree of reactivity to frustrating situations.

impatience

A single-word descriptor emphasizing a lack of patience when faced with obstacles.

easily discouraged

Focuses on the tendency to lose motivation when encountering difficulties.

quick to anger

Highlights the propensity to become angry when frustrated.

FAQs

How can I describe "low frustration tolerance" in simpler terms?

You can use phrases like "easily frustrated", "impatient", or "struggles with setbacks" to convey a similar meaning in more casual contexts.

What are the potential consequences of having a "low frustration tolerance"?

It can lead to increased stress, difficulty completing tasks, strained relationships, and impulsive behaviors. Therapy and coping strategies can help manage these consequences.

Is "low frustration tolerance" a symptom of a mental health condition?

While it's not a diagnosis in itself, "low frustration tolerance" can be a symptom of conditions like ADHD, anxiety disorders, or personality disorders. It's best to consult with a mental health professional for a proper assessment.

What is the difference between "low distress tolerance" and "low frustration tolerance"?

"Low distress tolerance" refers to a general difficulty in enduring any kind of emotional discomfort, while "low frustration tolerance" specifically relates to difficulty coping with setbacks and blocked goals. While related, they aren't interchangeable because frustration is caused by circumstances that do not let someone fulfill their goal.