Stress

What Is Stress? zYour definition… zStimulus or Response? Or interaction? yStressor — (stimulus) event or situation that triggers coping adjustments yStress reaction – How do you respond to stress? What are your “symptoms?” xphysiological, cognitive, emotional, behavioral yStress as process – interaction between event, perception, and reaction

The Physiology of Stress Walter Cannon (1932) y Fight-or-flight reaction y Outpouring of substances that prepare an organism to defend against a threat y Adaptive for our ancestors (but contributes to stress-related illnesses in modern times)

Brain and Endocrine System in Stress zSympathoadreno-Medullary (SAM) System yThe body’s initial, rapid-acting response to stress -- epinephrine and norepinephrine from the adrenal medulla zHypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenocortical (HPAC) System yThe body’s second response to stress -- secretion of corticosteroid hormones from the adrenal cortex

Stress Pathways

Measuring Stress zPhysiological Measures yPolygraph or Biofeedback machine—records several arousal responses, including heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, and GSR (measure of the skin’s resistance to electricity) y Fluid samples – (e.g., saliva) to test for catecholamine and cortisol production zSubjective Measures y Stress questionnaires

Variability in stress response zStress reactivity: people vary in their sweating, pupil dilation and changes in heart rate when stressed. zStress recovery: People vary in the speed with which they return to normal after being stressed. zStress resistance: People vary in their stress responses due to coping, social support etc

Sources of Stress zList your top five stressors zStressors y Common hassles x School demands x Noise – residents near airports have higher BP & stress x Crowding x Relationship issues x Sleep deprivation x Job stress (next slides)

Job-Related Stress zJob-related stress costs: yabsenteeism yreduced productivity yworker compensation benefits

Research study: “Overload in Working Mothers” zBCBS workers zMeasures: yUrine samples (to look for metabolites of stress hormones) yDaily mood scale zResults: feel stressed (esp w/ children at home) y High stress (low perceived control + high demand) y increased urinary neurohormones

Sources of Stress zStressors (continued) y Major life events (e.g., divorce, moves) y Catastrophic stressors (next slide)

Sources of Stress: Catastrophes zOklahoma City, 9/11, Katrina, etc. yIncreased incidence of hypertension, heart disease, and other stress-related ailments yRates of depression, anxiety, and other psychological disorders increase New Orleans Suicide Rate May Be Up Associated Press - September 14, 2006 – New Orleans' suicide rate appears to have gone up in the first six months after Hurricane Katrina evacuees were allowed back home

How does a potential stressor lead to stress?

“I have had a great many troubles in my life… And most never happened…” Mark Twain Perception and stress

Perceiving Stress yMany situations are not inherently stressful… depends on appraisal: Primary appraisal — determination of an event’s meaning Secondary appraisal — evaluation of one’s ability to meet the demands of a challenging event yCognitive appraisals are extremely susceptible to one’s current state of mood, health, motivation

Stress and Illness (next powerpoint)