Chapter 4: Psychological Factors & Health Dr. M. Davis-Brantley

Health Psychology Health Psychology is the field of psychology that studies the relationships between psychological factors and the prevention and treatment of physical illness Psychological factor can include attitudes, beliefs, situational influences, and overt behavior patterns Areas of focus include: How stress, behavior, and attitudes lead to or aggravate illness Coping with stress Stress and pathogens interact to influence the immune system Utilizing intervention and behavior modification to promote physical health

Stress and the Body What is Stress? Fight/Flight system triggers certain physiological responses Endocrine System is activated Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) is secreted which leads to secretion of ACTH ACTH leads to secretion of cortisol/other corticosteriods which help mobilize the body Too much of this hormone in the body can result in health problems (damage to cardiovascular system) Nervous System is activated Sends a message to the autonomic nervous system to mobilize ANS is composed of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous sys. This system regulates glands and heart rate, respiration, digestion, dilation, etc …

Fight or Flight Response

Stress and the Body: GAS In order to view reactions to stress Hans Selye developed the concept of GAS General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a term for a hypothesized three-stage response to stress Ex: When under continuous stress the body is like an alarm system that doesn ’ t shut down until energy is depleted

Stress and the Body: GAS Alarm reaction is the first stage of GAS which is triggered by the impact of a stressor Fight/Flight system is activated Resistance Stage is the 2 nd stage which is characterized by prolonged sympathetic activity We enter this stage if the stressor is not removed after a prolonged period of time Endocrine levels and sympathetic activity are elevated Exhaustion Stage Final stage where the body can no longer deal with the stress The body is now depleted; can lead to deterioration

Emotional Effects of Stress Emotional Responses to stress include: 1. Anxiety — usually occurs in response to threats of stressors such as physical danger, losses, and failure Trait Anxiety is anxiety that is a personality variable or persistent trait State Anxiety is a temporary condition of anxiety that may be attributed to a situation 2. Anger — occurs in response to stressors such as frustration and social provocation Hostility differs from anger in that it is an enduring trait Anger can also arouse both sympathetic and parasympathetic system 3. Depression — occurs in response to stressors such as the loss of loved one, failure, inactivity, and/or prolonged stress Depression can be characterized by parasympathetic dominance Emotions motivate certain kinds of behavior These emotions have been known to motivate us to behave in maladaptive ways Should see negative emotions as a sign to learn from the situation and use learning experience to prepare for next stressor that will occur

Cognitive Effects of Stress Our cognitions effect means in which we respond to stress We are motivated to seek optimal levels of arousal at which we feel best and can function most efficiently Strong physiological & emotional responses to stress (characterized by high levels of arousal) can impair cognitive activity and problem-solving ability High levels of arousal can impede our ability to respond to a stressful situation Adaptive means of coping include: Lowering arousal (step away from situation) Focus on removing the stressor or Focus on changing one ’ s reaction to stressor

Stress and the Immune System When stress is not dealt with adequately can effect the body and health Immune System is the system of the body that recognizes and destroys antigens that invade the body in order to combat disease Leukocytes are white blood cells. These cells engulf and kill pathogens (bacteria, fungi, & viruses) Engage in search-and-destroy missions Antigen is a foreign agent which the immune system has to respond to In order to respond to the antigens leukocytes form Antibodies which recognize and destroy antigens The antibodies attach to antigens and deactivates them, immune system “ remembers ” how to battle these later by maintaining antibodies in the bloodstream Inflammation is a function of the immune system where there is an increased blood flow to the injured area of the body, resulting in redness, warmth, and increased supply of white blood cells Psychoneuroimmunology is the field that studies the relationships b/n psychological factors and functioning of the immune system Stress and HIV/AIDS Psych methods have been said to contribute to improved immune func tion

Multifactorial Approach to Health Suggests that many factors can impact a person ’ s health including: Biological Factors — Family history, genes, birth complications, medical history, inoculations, age, exposure to infectious organisms Sociocultural Factors — SES, social class, family size, insurance, prejudice, health-related cultural/religious beliefs and practices Environmental Factors — Vehicular safety, water quality, solid waste treatment/sanitation, pollution, radiation, global warming, natural disasters Personality Factors — Seeking (or avoiding) information about health risks, psychological hardiness, self-efficacy expectations, psychological conflict, optimism/pessimism, locus or control Stressors — Daily hassles, major life changes, frustration, pain and discomfort, social support Behavioral Factors — Diet, excessive alcohol use, smoking, level of physical activity, sleep practices, safety practices (using seat belts, safe sex practices, adequate prenatal care), medical care/checkups, interpersonal skills

Health and Ethnicity Consider this Multifactorial Approach? African Americans reportedly have a life span that is 7 years shorter than that of European American Latin Americans are catching up with African Americans What factors may impact this?

Health Problems and Psychology Muscle-Tension Headache During stressful situations (during the first two stages of GAS) we are likely to contract muscles in the shoulders, neck, forehead, and scalp Persistent stress can lead to muscle-tension headaches Migraine Headache A throbbing headache caused by wavelike firing of neuron in the brain, which creates ripples of neural activity that reach pain centers in the brainstem Can last hours or days Characterized by the preceding “ aura ” Often accompanied by sensitivity to light, loss of appetite, nausea, sensory/motor disturbance, changes in mood, etc … Triggers include barometric pressure, pollen, drugs, MSG, chocolate, cheese, alcohol, and hormonal changes

Health Problems and Psychology: Menstruation Dysmenorrhea Pain or discomfort during menstruation Primary Dysmenorrhea-menstrual pain or discomfort that occurs in the absence of known organic cause Secondary Dysmenorrhea-menstrual pain that is caused by an identified organic cause Organic causes include endometriosis, pelvic inflammation, ovarian cysts Amenorrhea Is the absence of menstruation and is a primary sign of infertility Can be caused by abnormalities in the reproductive system, hormonal problems, cysts, tumors, and stress Also a symptom of Anorexia nervosa PMS A cluster of physical and psychological symptoms that afflict ¾ of women prior to menstruation Known to be associated with Serotonin and GABA

Health Problems and Psychology Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Leading cause of death in the US Factors that contribute to CHD include: Family History Physiological Conditions (Hypertension) Behavioral problems (heavy drinking, smoking, bad food) Type A Behavior Hostility/Harboring Anger Job Strain Reduce Risk of CHD through behavior modification Stop smoking, control weight, reducing hypertension, lowering LDL Cholesterol, Exercising, Managing Stress

Health Problems and Psychology Cancer Characterized by the development of abnormal, or mutant, cells that may take root anywhere in the body Risk Factors include: Carcinogenic Genes can make an individual more susceptible to cell division However, other behavior patterns heighten risk for cancer such as smoking, drinking excessively, eating animal fats, and sunbathing Stress and Cancer