HNC Social Care Psychology for Care

What is stress? There are many definitions of stress. Stress is an individuals response to a stimulus in the environment Stress occurs when perceived demands on an individual exceed resources Stress is an emotion Stress is a condition of physiological and psychological arousal

Definitions Stress- “ A pattern of negative physiological states and psychological responses occurring in situations where people perceive threats to their well-being which they may be unable to meet” (Lazarus & Fockman, 1984) “Stress is the individual’s response to an inappropriate level of pressure. It is the response to the pressure, not the pressure itself.’ (Arroba & James 1987)

Causes of Stress External causes: Lifestyle-drinking/addictions/obesity/relationship Work based problems Environmental problems-noise/poverty/housing etc Internal Causes: Poor health Low self esteem/low confidence Age related changes e.g. adolescence/mid life crises

Stress While some stimulus or arousal is good for us, excessive amounts can result in physical psychological emotional social effects which are unpleasant in the short term and harmful in the long term

Physical effects Headaches Nausea Neck/back pain High blood pressure Ulcers Strokes

Psychological/Behavioural Effects Confusion Anxiety Inability to concentrate Depression Overeating Drug abuse Aggression

The Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) Based on their well known study in 1967 into the effects of life events and the subsequent follow-up studies, Dr.T. Holmes and Dr. R. Rahe created the SRRS noted that patients often had experienced several life events in the months before becoming ill. They developed a list, of 43 such life events Some of the events are desirable, but appear because any change is stressful. Each life event carries a score in life change units.

The Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) These predictions are not definite. What produces a change in physical or mental health status is an interaction of many factors such as how significant those life events are to you your personal capacity to cope with change the quality of your support system through family, work and friends. Completing this inventory can give you some insight into the stressors that are potentially hazardous to your health and well-being

What do we mean by resilience? Overcoming the odds – being successful despite exposure to high risk Sustaining competence under pressure – adapting to high risk Recovering from trauma – adjusting successfully to negative life events

Resilience “Compared to non-resilient children, a resilient child can resist adversity, cope with uncertainty and recover more successfully from traumatic events” (Barnardo’s 2001)

Intrinsic Factors Research suggests that in order to promote resilience, children need: A secure base: a sense of belonging and security Good self-esteem: an internal sense of worth and competence A sense of self-efficacy: a sense of mastery and control, along with an accurate understanding of personal strengths and limitations

Extrinsic Factors In addition to intrinsic factors there also needs to be: At least one secure attachment relationship Access to wider supports such as extended family and friends Positive nursery, school and or community experiences

Resilience: normal development under difficult circumstances Life events or circumstances which pose a threat to healthy development, e.g. racism, domestic violence, parental depression etc. Factors which buffer the affects of adversity, e.g. a good school experience, secure attachment etc. Adversity Protective Factors Vulnerability: Those characteristics of the child, their family and the wider community which might threaten or challenge healthy development, e.g. isolated parent, poor housing, lack of community support