What Is Stress? Chapter 1 © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Chapter Overview Important researchers of stress and their contributions Important researchers of stress and their contributions Types of stress Types of stress Stress reactivity: General adaptation syndrome Stress reactivity: General adaptation syndrome Defining stress: eustress and distress Defining stress: eustress and distress © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Before we begin, ask yourself… What stresses you out? What stresses you out? How do you deal with stress? How do you deal with stress? © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Before we formally define stress, let’s take a look at some influential researchers and how they contributed to our knowledge of stress. Before we formally define stress, let’s take a look at some influential researchers and how they contributed to our knowledge of stress. © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Walter Cannon First to describe the effects of acute stress First to describe the effects of acute stress Termed this stress reaction as the fight-or- flight response Termed this stress reaction as the fight-or- flight response  A primitive response that quickly increases heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Hans Selye Studied the effects of long-term (chronic) stress Studied the effects of long-term (chronic) stress Summarized his findings by proposing a three-phase process called the general adaptation syndrome Summarized his findings by proposing a three-phase process called the general adaptation syndrome  alarm reaction  stage of resistance  stage of exhaustion © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Other Influential Researchers Simeons -- Related evolution to psychosomatic disease (twentieth century concept) Simeons -- Related evolution to psychosomatic disease (twentieth century concept) Wolff, LeShan, Engel -- Studied illness, disease, and stress Wolff, LeShan, Engel -- Studied illness, disease, and stress Friedman & Rosenman -- Identified relationship between stress and coronary heart disease Friedman & Rosenman -- Identified relationship between stress and coronary heart disease Simonton -- Imagery and cancer therapy Simonton -- Imagery and cancer therapy © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Techniques and concepts have developed over the years, including: Relaxation response (Benson) Relaxation response (Benson) Autogenic training (Schultz, Luthe) Autogenic training (Schultz, Luthe) Progressive muscular relaxation, bracing, imagery (Jacobson) Progressive muscular relaxation, bracing, imagery (Jacobson) Biofeedback (Budzynski) Biofeedback (Budzynski) © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Stress Theory Several theories explain the causes of stress: Several theories explain the causes of stress: –Life events theory: Situation requires more resources than are available –Hardiness theory: One’s attitude toward the events determines stress –Social support theory: Insufficient social support for responding to event © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

The Stressor Stressor (stimulus) Stressor (stimulus) –biological –psychological –sociological –philosophical Stress reactivity (fight-or-flight response) Stress reactivity (fight-or-flight response) –All effects are based on duration and degree of one’s physiological reaction © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Strain Strains are the outcomes of reactivity Strains are the outcomes of reactivity Three types Three types –Physical –Psychological –Behavioral © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Gender Differences in Reactivity Females Females –Exhibit nurturing activities –Use social groups more than males Males Males –More fight-or-flight response © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Stress Reactivity (Figure 1.2) © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Definition of Stress Mason described the different uses of the word stress: Mason described the different uses of the word stress: –Stimulus –Response –Whole spectrum of interacting factors (Lazarus) –Stimulus-response interaction © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Is the glass half full or half empty? A situation can be stressful or not -- it all depends on your perception of the event A situation can be stressful or not -- it all depends on your perception of the event A response to stress can be effective or not -- it depends on your resources and coping strategies A response to stress can be effective or not -- it depends on your resources and coping strategies Refer to Table 1.2 Refer to Table 1.2 © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Relationship between stress and illness (Figure. 1.3) © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Goals for Stress Management Do not eliminate all stress Do not eliminate all stress Use as a motivator for peak performance Use as a motivator for peak performance Stress can be useful, stimulating, and welcome Stress can be useful, stimulating, and welcome Limit harmful effects Limit harmful effects © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

What Is Stress? Chapter 1 © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.