STRESS & HEALTH



STRESS & HEALTH

I. behavioral medicine – interdisciplinary field of study integrating behavioral & medical science/knowledge, applying it to health & illness

II. health psychologists – study the effects of behavior & mental processes

III. biopsychosocial theory – interdisciplinary model that assumes biological, psychological, & sociocultural situations influence health & illness

IV. stress – our response to events that disturb, or threaten to disturb, our physical/psychological equilibrium; a process by which we appraise & cope with environmental threats, challenges, or change known as stressors

A. stressors can be positive or negative, large or small

1. mild stress can be motivating, invigorating, &

sometimes desirable (Yerkes-Dodson)

2. if severe, stress can cause physical, psychological & behavioral problems

3. stressors come in various forms

a. cataclysmic events – natural disasters, military combat, physical – sexual assault, traumas, victim of crime

b. life changes & strains – divorce, illness in family, work or home changes, etc.

c. chronic stressors – reside in poverty or high-crime area, personal illness, discrimination, etc.

d. daily hassles – traffic, co-workers, job - Richard Lazarus: may add up to more grief than a major event

B. measuring stressors – Social Readjustment Rating Scale – revised (SRRS-R): developed by Holmes & Rahe

1. measures amount of accumulated stress one experiences based on life change units (LCU’s) – numbers that indicate the amount of adjustment needed to cope

2. positive correlation between stressors & likelihood of becoming ill

3. research suggests wide cross-cultural applicability

4. some criticism of SRRS-R b/c life changes are only part of the picture involving stress – Life Experiences Survey (LES) developed in 1992 – not only measures life events, but cognitions & the control one believes s/he has over the situation (internal v. external locus of control)

V. Hanse Seyle (1907-82) – viewed stress as a specific set of responses to demands – how our bodies react

A. referred to the stress response & changes in the body as general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

B. physical reactions to stress include three stages: initial alarm, resistance, & exhaustion

VI. cognitive appraisal is also an important part of stress response

A. Lazarus – cognitive appraisal is essential in defining whether a situation is a threat, how big a threat it is, & what resources you have to deal with it (subjective & personal)

B. some threats are perceived differently depending upon individual circumstances, past experiences & feelings of competence

VII. 2 coping strategies:

A. problem-focused coping: a strategy designed to reduce the stress by overcoming the source of the problem

B. emotion-focused coping: a strategy designed to manage the emotional reactions to stressors rather than trying to change the stressors themselves

VIII. moderating stress – 4 factors that influence how we control stress

A. predictability of the stressor

B. perceptions of control over stressor(s) – positive correlation between control of stress & immunity to illness

1.internal locus of control – outcomes occur b/c of our own efforts so we can make a difference

2.external locus of control – outcomes are outside of our control so why even try to address the problem?

a. learned helplessness – the belief that one has no control over a stressor, thereby increasing the likelihood that no action will be taken to reduce the threat

3.when people doubt their ability to assert control over a stressor, they are more likely to engage in emotion-focused coping strategies

a. escape avoidance – avoid dealing with the problem head-on which leads to procrastination of a solution

C. your personality

D. availability of social support

IX. pessimist v. optimist – additional behavior patterns that may influence the body’s response to stress

A. pessimistic explanatory styles – habitual tendency to explain uncontrollable negative events as being caused by one’s own stable personal qualities that affect all aspects of one’s life

B. optimistic explanatory styles – habitual tendency to explain uncontrollable negative events as being caused by temporary factors external to oneself that do not affect aspects of one’s life – associated with good health & longevity

C. dispositional optimism – belief or expectation that things will

work out positively

X. hormones combine under stress differently in males & females – oxytocin interacts differently w/ male & female sex hormones ( amplify men’s physical stress response & reduce women’s

XI. hostile & pessimistic personalities are more reactive to stress – Type A v. Type B

A. Type A Behavior Pattern: complex pattern of behaviors & emotions characterized by competitiveness, impatience, ambition, hostility & a hard-driving approach to life (more stress)

B. Type B Behavior Pattern: complex pattern of behaviors & emotions characterized by a patient, relaxed, easygoing approach to life, with little hurry or hostility (less stress)

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