Stress and Resilience Ryan M. Denney, Ph.D.

Stress When perceived demands exceed perceived resources

Root Stressors Frustration Change Pressure Blocking of a desired goal (traffic) Change In environment or within one’s self Pressure Expectations or demands that one behave in a certain way Conflict Researchers have discovered that minor stresses, as well as major stresses, may have significantly harmful effects on physical and mental health. Psychologists have outlined 4 principle types of stress. Frustration occurs in any situation in which the pursuit of some goal is thwarted (Ex. traffic jams). Life changes are any noticeable alterations in one’s living circumstances that require readjustment. Holmes and Rahe (1967) developed the Social Readjustment Rating Scale to measure life change as a form of stress, giving higher points (life change units) for more stressful events. College Undergraduate Stress Scale Similar to Rahe’s Social Readjustment Rating Scale Average scores about 1247 Females higher scores than males 300+ units, 26% received Ds and Fs as final course grades 150-299, 17% 0-149, 12% Pressure involves expectations or demands that one behave in a certain way…pressure to perform or to comply.

Stressors Intervening factors Stress reactions Trauma Life changes Failures Disappointments Intervening factors Appraisal Perceived control Personality Social support Coping behaviors Stress reactions Physiological Emotional Behavioral

Cognitive Appraisal If only it really worked like this…how simple life would be. A Activating Event B Belief System C Consequence Stress: Someone stands you up on a date you were looking forward to. Irrational: I will never find anyone. I am a worthless person! Angry, anxious, rejected Rational: I have other options. I’ll find something else to do this weekend. Annoyed but remain hopeful

Cognitive Interpretations of Events—Three Axes or Continua Personalization internal vs. external Me/Not me Pervasiveness specific vs. universal Always/Not always Permanence temporary vs. permanent Everything/Not everything

Multidimensional Stress Responses