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Stress
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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
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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)
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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
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Stress Pathways
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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
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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
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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)
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Job-Related Stress zJob-related stress costs: yabsenteeism yreduced productivity yworker compensation benefits
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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
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Sources of Stress zStressors (continued) y Major life events (e.g., divorce, moves) y Catastrophic stressors (next slide)
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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
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How does a potential stressor lead to stress?
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“I have had a great many troubles in my life… And most never happened…” Mark Twain Perception and stress
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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
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Stress and Illness (next powerpoint)
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