Stress-Prone and Stress-Resistant Personalities Chapter 6

“When I was 25, I got testicular cancer and nearly died. I don’t know why I am still alive. I can only guess. I have a tough constitution and my profession taught me how to compete against long odds and big obstacles.” —Lance Armstrong

Personality Personality is thought to comprise several: – traits, characteristics, behaviors, expressions, moods – feelings as perceived by others The complexity of one’s personality is thought to be shaped by: – genetic factors – personal experiences – family dynamics and other social influences

Stress-Prone Personalities These personalities do not cope with stress well: –Type A personality –Codependent personality –Helpless-hopeless personality

Type A Behavior Once associated with time urgency is now associated with unresolved anger. Greater predictor of CHD than all other risk factors combined Prone to sympathetic arousal (increased BP, CHOL, & TG) Traits –Urgency, multitasking, ultra-competitiveness, rapid speech patterns, manipulative control, hyperaggressiveness & free-floating hostility

Type A v. Type D Agression v. depression Tendency to depression = Negative affect –Worry, irritability, gloom, social inhibition Ornish suggests love is not commonly expressed in Type A or D

Codependent Personality Increase perceptions of stress & decrease ability to cope Addictive in nature & validated by making others dependant Enablers Survival skills Process addiction Traits Behaviors

Helpless-Hopeless Personality Low self-esteem Given up due to repeated failure External locus of control Poor self-motivation Emotional dysfunction resulting in chronic depression External locus of control of reinforcing behavior

Stress-Resistant Personalities These personalities cope with stress well: 1.Hardy Personality 2.Survivor Personality 3. Type R Personality (Sensation Seekers)

The Hardy Personality Commitment (invests oneself in the solution) Control (takes control of a situation, doesn’t run from it) Challenge (sees opportunity rather than the problems)

Survivor Personality Traits A person who responds rather than reacts to danger/stress Bi-phase traits (left and right brain skills) –Proud but humble –Selfish but altruistic –Rebellious but cooperative –Spiritual but irreverent –Considered optimists and good at creative problem solving

Characteristics of High Self-Esteem Connectedness (support groups) Uniqueness (special qualities) Empowerment (uses inner resources) Role models or mentors (has others to look up to) Calculated risk taking – Type R (not motivated by fear)