Coping and Psychological Wellness Factors Health Psychology Coping and Psychological Wellness Factors

Agenda Schedule Presentations Attendance Reading Assessments Health Psych Return Last Assessment Reminder Bonus Opportunity Decreasing and Coping with Stress Other Psychological Factors in Wellness

Bonus Opportunity Seminar Attendance Social Psychological Research Tuesday, December 20th, 1:00-2:00 B14 R108 0.5 Point

True or False? Compared to others, pessimists are more than twice as likely to develop heart disease. Writing about personal traumas in a diary reduces stress and the likelihood of health problems in the following months. Those who do not exercise are twice as likely as exercisers to report being not “very happy.” Religious faith and health show a strong positive correlation

Effects of Stress Physiological Effects - Links to many illnesses and problems. 0 = Never 1 = Once or twice a year 2 = Every few months 3 = Every few weeks 4 = Once or more each week 5 = Daily 0-35, Low; 36-75, Average; 76-140, High

Effects of Stress Harmful Behaviors Indirect Health-Related Behaviors Does stress make you do unhealthy things? Substances Over/Under Eating and Poor Nutrition Poor sleep/Lack of sleep/Oversleep Indirect Health-Related Behaviors Feelings of Helplessness and Decreased Motivation Less likely to follow medical advice Less likely to seek care

Managing Stress How can we decrease the negative effects of stress? Decrease the amount of stress you experience. Better cope with the stress you experience.

Assessing Coping Instructions: The following are ways of reacting to health problems, such as illness, sicknesses, or injuries. Think of your last illness, sickness, or injury. Use the following scale to indicate how much you engaged in these types of activities. 1= Not at all 2 = A little 3 = Occasionally 4 = Fairly often 5 = Very much

Assessing Coping 1= Not at all 2 = A little 3 = Occasionally 4 = Fairly often 5 = Very much __ Think about better times __ Stay in bed __ Find out more information __ Wonder “why me” __ Be with others __ Rest when tired __ Seek treatment quickly __ Feel angry __ Daydream __ Sleep __ Focus on getting better __ Become frustrated __ Think about things I can do __ Plan for the future __ Stay warm __ Comply with advice __ Fantasize about being healthy __ Listen to music __ Make surroundings quiet __ Follow doctor’s advice __ Wish it hadn’t happened __ Invite company __ Stay quiet __ Take medications on time __ Think about being vulnerable __ Worry about my health

Coping Efforts to control, reduce, or learn to tolerate the threats that lead to stress. Two categories of coping: Emotion-focused Manage emotions when stressed Process stressful situations differently e.g. Distraction, Changing Focus Problem-focused Behavioral, Action-based plan to deal with stress Avoid Stressors Avoid situations or prevent events.

Coping Strategies What determines which coping strategy is used? Simultaneously Perspective of the situation How much control do you have? Learned Helplessness Personality Coping Styles Which coping strategies work? Don’t work? Depends on the stressor and the individual. Avoidant Coping

Psychology and Heart Disease Higher likelihood of heart attacks Predictors Smoking, cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity Clear link to stress. Currently and history of stress Personality link

I hate giving up. I am often in a hurry. I tend to gesture with my hands and arms. I drive my car fast. I get impatient easily. Type A Personality I often work slowly. People consider me rather quiet. I like work that’s not too challenging. I prefer walking to jogging. Type B Personality

Type A, Type B Personalities Cluster of traits characterized by hostility, competitiveness, time urgency, and feeling driven Type B Cluster of traits characterized by patience, cooperativeness, noncompetitiveness Level of hostility seems to be especially important Big Five Comparison?

Optimism and Wellness Compared to other students, the chances of my experiencing this problem are: -3 = Much below average -2 = Below average -1 = Slightly below average 0 = Average 1 = Slightly above average 2 = Above average 3 = Much above average

Medical Optimism Arthritis (pain in bone joints) Suicide Pneumonia (lung infections) Being 40 or more pounds overweight Laryngitis (throat illness) Alcoholism Being killed in an auto accident Lung Cancer -3 = Much below average -2 = Below average -1 = Slightly below average 0 = Average 1 = Slightly above average 2 = Above average 3 = Much above average

The Darker Side of (Unrealistic and Unconditional) Optimism