CHAPTER 15: STRESS AND HEALTH

SOURCES OF STRESS

stress Def: a person’s perception of their inability to cope w/ a certain tense event or situation

COMPONENTS OF STRESS Stressor: a stress producing event or situation Stress Reaction: the body’s response to a stressor Hans Selye’s 2 types of stress: 1) Distress: stress that stems from acute anxiety or pressure (negative) 2) Eustress: stress that results from motivating strivings and challenges (positive)

COGNITIVE MODEL OF STRESS Richard Lazarus Idea that how a person perceives and evaluates an event makes a difference

CONFLICT SITUATIONS Def: when a person must choose btwn 2 or more options that tend to result from opposing motives A major source of stress Fall into 4 broad categories…

CONFLICT SITUATIONS 1) Approach-approach: choice btwn 2 attractive options 2) Avoidance-avoidance: 2 unattractive options 3) Approach-avoidance: situation has both agreeable and disagreeable consequences 4) Double approach avoidance: choice btwn 2 or more options, each with negative and positive aspects

APPRAISING A SITUATION Primary appraisal: our immediate evaluation of the situation Secondary appraisal: deciding how to deal w/a potentially stressful situation

ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS Noise: most common complaint; can increase blood pressure and cortisol (stress hormone) Crowding: Jonathan Freedman---effects of crowding depend on the situation

LIFE CHANGES AND STRESS “Catastrophes”: Marriage, illness, new job, moving, death, etc… All involve the separation of an individual from familiarity Thomas H. Holmes and Richard H. Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS): rated stress of 43 common events

HASSLES Common stressors Gradually weaken the body’s defenses Uplifts: small, positive events; make a person feel good

Section 2: Reactions to stress

FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE Adrenal glands are stimulated to produce 1) hormones that increase amt of blood sugar for energy 2) adrenaline that increases heartbeat and breathing Prepare a person for self defense

GENERAL ADAPTATION SYNDROME Hans Selye identified 3 stages in the stress reaction: 1) Alarm: body mobilizes fight or flight defenses 2) Resistance: find a means to cope 3) Exhaustion: if prolonged exposure to a stressor, body will shut down

EMOTIONAL RESPONSES TO STRESS Anxiety: a vague, generalized apprehension or feeling of danger (most common reaction) Anger: the irate reaction likely to result from frustration Fear: the usual reaction when a stressor involve real or imagined danger

COGNITIVE RESPONSES TO STRESS Difficulty concentrating or thinking Recurring thoughts Poor decision making Continued exposure to a stressor can lead to burn out---could develop into a disorder

BEHAVIORAL REACTIONS Person may develop nervous habits (pacing, trembling) Change in voice, posture, increased aggression Can be positive: risking your life to save another

PHYSICAL REACTIONS May develop psychosomatic symptoms as a result of stress Prolonged stress can lead to ulcers, hypertension, arthritis, asthma, and heart disease Stress can hinder the immune system

FACTORS INFLUENCING REACTIONS TO STRESS

Personality differences Type A: high-strung; easy to anger Type B: relaxed, patient Emotional expressiveness: people who do not express strong emotions are more susceptible to cancer

PERCEIVED CONTROL OVER STRESSORS J.M. Weiss animal experiments Findings: people prefer predictable stress Our physical and psychological well-being is heavily influenced by the degree to which we feel in control of our lives

SOCIAL SUPPORT Def: info that leads someone to believe that they are cared for, loved, respected, and part of a network of communication and mutual obligation

SOCIAL SUPPORT Social groups offer: 1) Emotional support 2) Appraisal support 3) Informational support 4) Instrumental support