© 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Intervention Chapter 4

Chapter Overview Interventions Interventions Stress model Stress model Setting up roadblocks Setting up roadblocks Understanding what comprehensive stress management is Understanding what comprehensive stress management is Taking control and making a commitment Taking control and making a commitment © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

What Are Interventions? Activities to prevent a stressor from resulting in negative consequences © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Coping with a Stressor Lazarus: stress is the result of a determination that a demand exceeds available resources Lazarus: stress is the result of a determination that a demand exceeds available resources Three categories of appraisal Three categories of appraisal –Primary appraisal (of the threat) –Secondary appraisal (of available resources) –Reappraisal (after attempts at coping) © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

A Model of Stress (Figure 4.3) A life situation (e.g., threat, a change in one’s life) knocks you off balance A life situation (e.g., threat, a change in one’s life) knocks you off balance Roadblocks can change cognitive appraisal of the stress stimulus Roadblocks can change cognitive appraisal of the stress stimulus © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

A Model of Stress (cont.) Situation is perceived (interpreted) as stressful Situation is perceived (interpreted) as stressful Emotional reaction leads to feelings such as fear, anger, insecurity Emotional reaction leads to feelings such as fear, anger, insecurity These feelings lead to physiological arousal (stress reactivity) These feelings lead to physiological arousal (stress reactivity) Consequences: poor performance, illness, possible disease Consequences: poor performance, illness, possible disease © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

A Model of Stress (cont.) This stress model is an example of a feedback loop This stress model is an example of a feedback loop Stress model can have many feedback loops Stress model can have many feedback loops A consequence of stress (e.g., illness) can become a new stressor and start a new feedback loop A consequence of stress (e.g., illness) can become a new stressor and start a new feedback loop © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

The Stress Model (Figure 4.4) © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Setting up Roadblocks Intervention is used to block a stressful consequence Intervention is used to block a stressful consequence These blocks are set up at various points on the stress theory model These blocks are set up at various points on the stress theory model Cognitive restructuring or medications (prescribed or illegal) can be used as roadblocks Cognitive restructuring or medications (prescribed or illegal) can be used as roadblocks © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Setting up Roadblocks (cont.) A roadblock (e.g., relaxation technique) between the perception phase and the emotion phase can be effective A roadblock (e.g., relaxation technique) between the perception phase and the emotion phase can be effective Exercise can effectively block the continuation of stress after physiological arousal has occurred Exercise can effectively block the continuation of stress after physiological arousal has occurred © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Comprehensive Stress Management Includes intervention at all phases of the stress theory model Includes intervention at all phases of the stress theory model Several methods are used at each phase Several methods are used at each phase Elimination of all stress is not recommended Elimination of all stress is not recommended Goal is to perform within optimal levels of stress Goal is to perform within optimal levels of stress © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Did You Know? Stress can be good! Stress can be good! Have you ever taken a really important test, aced it, and really felt good and almost euphoric after it was over? Have you ever taken a really important test, aced it, and really felt good and almost euphoric after it was over? This type of stress is called eustress This type of stress is called eustress © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Eustress Stress that results in positive consequences Stress that results in positive consequences Involves change that requires adaptation Involves change that requires adaptation Allows personal growth and is beneficial to the person Allows personal growth and is beneficial to the person © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

The Yerkes-Dodson Curve (Figure 4.5) © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Taking Control Managing stress means exercising control rather than giving up control Managing stress means exercising control rather than giving up control One can decide to control or not control the stress response (assuming responsibility) One can decide to control or not control the stress response (assuming responsibility) Practicing specific techniques is a means of taking control and assuming responsibility Practicing specific techniques is a means of taking control and assuming responsibility © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Making a Commitment Start right now Start right now Complete a contract Complete a contract Plan rewards for reaching accomplishments Plan rewards for reaching accomplishments Plan punishments for not fulfilling contract Plan punishments for not fulfilling contract Keep goals realistic Keep goals realistic © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Intervention Chapter 4