Introduction. Stress generated by various social factors is one of the behavioral health risk factors. The study of the problems of the impact of social stress on the population over the past few decades serves as a subject of study. An urgent problem is the conceptual development of the classification of social stress. The purpose of the study. To formulate classification approaches to social stress and determine the practical significance of this classification. Materials and methods. Analytical and sociological methods and the method of copying the necessary dates from the materials of scientific research were used Results. Social stresses can be classified as short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic), physiological and psychological, subdivided into informational and emotional; exogenous social stresses depending on the population exposed; direct and indirect, arising under the influence of specific causes, social stresses associated with restrictions on the realization of the goal reflex, as well as in depending on the mechanism of psychophysiological maladaptation: primary and secondary. Discussion. Social stresses can manifest themselves in various forms and combinations in specific life and social situations. Conclusions. The development and justification of the classification of social stresses will optimize the organization of medical and preventive measures aimed at combating risk factors, thereby increasing the level of public health, as well as contributing to the development of other sciences.