HS 133 What Is Stress? Chapter 3

Chapter Objectives Discuss important researchers of stress and their contributions Discuss important researchers of stress and their contributions Explain types of stress Explain types of stress Describe stress reactivity: General Adaptation Syndrome Describe stress reactivity: General Adaptation Syndrome Define stress: eustress and distress Define stress: eustress and distress

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: A primitive response that quickly increases: – heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol

Hans Selye – Father of Stress Studied the effects of long-term (chronic) stress in rats Studied the effects of long-term (chronic) stress in rats –Adrenals, immune system and ulcers Proposed a three-phase process called the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) Proposed a three-phase process called the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) –alarm reaction –stage of resistance –stage of exhaustion Defined stress “nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it.” Defined stress “nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it.”

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 and Rosenman -- identified relationship between stress and heart disease Friedman and Rosenman -- identified relationship between stress and heart disease Simonton -- imagery and cancer therapy Simonton -- imagery and cancer therapy

Techniques and Concepts Developed: 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)

Stress Theories Life Events Theory (Holmes and Rahe) Life Events Theory (Holmes and Rahe) –situation requires more resources than are available Hardiness Theory (Kobasa and all) Hardiness Theory (Kobasa and all) –one’s attitude toward the events determines stress Social Support Theory Social Support Theory –insufficient social support for responding to event

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 the stressor and one’s reaction to it.

Strain Strains are the outcomes of stress reactivity. Strains are the outcomes of stress reactivity. Three types Three types –Physical (headaches) –Psychological (agoraphobia) –Behavioral (alcohol use/abuse)

Gender Differences in Reactivity Females Females –Exhibit nurturing activities –Use social groups more than males Males Males –More fight-or-flight response

Definition of Stress Mason described the word stress : Mason described the word stress : –Stimulus –Response –Whole spectrum of interacting factors (Lazarus) –Stimulus-response interaction Selye – “nonspecific response of the body to any demand made on it” Selye – “nonspecific response of the body to any demand made on it” Greenberg – stressor, stress reactivity, strain Greenberg – stressor, stress reactivity, strain Eustress (good); distress (bad) – same reactions Eustress (good); distress (bad) – same reactions

Perceptions and Resources 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. Study Table 1.2. Study Table 1.2.

Relationship between Stress and Illness

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.