What are precipitating factors in abnormal psychology?

precipitating factors (bring on -- lead to) trigger the onset off psychological difficulties. E.g. someone with an eating disorder may have always had low self esteem, a genetic vulnerability, bodily shame (which are predisposing factors) but certain stressors such as teenage stress, parental divorce perceived peer rejection etc are the precipitating factors that will make a psychological disorder occur. Hope that makes sense. :-)