Ch. 12 Stress, coping, and health

Question 1

stress

Answer 1

the tension, discomfort, or physical symptoms that arise when a situation, called a stressor-a type of stimulus- strains our ability to cope effectively.

Question 2

Traumatic event

Answer 2

a stressor that’s severe that it can produce long term psychological or health consequences.

Question 3

Stressors as stimuli

Answer 3

Focuses on identifying different types of stressful events, ranging from job loss to combat. Pinpointed categories of events that most of us find dangerous and unpredictable. Stressful situations can produce cumulative effects. Identifies people who are most susceptible to stress following different events.

Question 4

stress as a response

Answer 4

They assess psychological and physical reactions to stressful events.

Question 5

Corticosteroid

Answer 5

stress hormone that activates the body and prepares us to respond to stressful circumstances.

Question 6

Post traumatic growth

Answer 6

the perception of beneficial change or personal transformation in the struggle to overcome adversity.
Pg. 455.

Question 7

Stress as a transaction

Answer 7

Examine the interaction between potentially stressful life events and how people interpret and cope with them. pg. 456

Question 8

Primary appraisal

Answer 8

initial decision regarding whether an event is harmful.

Question 9

secondary appraisal

Answer 9

perceptions regarding our ability to cope with an event that follows primary appraisal.

Question 10

Problem focused coping

Answer 10

coping strategy by which we problem solve and tackle life’s challenges head on.

Question 11

emotion focused coping

Answer 11

coping strategy that features a positive outlook on feelings or situations accompanied by behaviors that reduce painful emotions. No two stresses are created equal

Question 12

Major life events- Social Readjustment Rating Scale

Answer 12

Measure life events systematically. Based on 43 life events such as jail term and personal injury or illness ranked in terms of their stressfulness. Number of stressful events people report over a year is associated with a variety of physical disorders, psychological disorders, and suicide attempts. (pg. 457).

Question 13

Hassles

Answer 13

minor annoyance or nuisance that strains our ability to cope. Everyday hassles do indeed contribute to stress.

Question 14

Hassles scale

Answer 14

Measure how stressful events ranging from small annoyances to major daily pressures, impact our adjustment. Both major life events and hassels are associated with poor general health, but the frequency and percieved severity of hassels are actually better predictors of physical health, depression, and anxiety than major life events. pg. 457

Question 15

General Adaptation syndrome (GAS) Pg.458-459

Answer 15

Stress response pattern proposed by Hans Selye that consists of three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Question 16

The alarm reaction

Answer 16

Involves the excitation of the autonomic nervous system, the discharge of the stress hormone adrenaline, and physical symptoms of anxiety.

Question 17

Resistance

Answer 17

He adapts to the stressor and finds ways to cope with it.

Question 18

Exhaustion

Answer 18

If our personal resources are limited and we lack good coping measures, our resistance may ultimately break down, causing our levels of activation to bottom out. Results can range from damage to organ system, to depression and anxiety, to a breakdown in the immune system. Stress can be a positive thing though.

Question 19

Tend and befriend

Answer 19

Reaction that mobilizes people to nurture (tend) or seek social support (befriend) under stress. Pg. 459. In times of stress women generally rely on their social contacts and nurturing abilities. Women do not lack a self preservation instinct.

Question 20

Social support pg. 461

Answer 20

Relations with people groups, and the larger community that can provide us with emotional comfort and personal and financial resources

Question 21

Behavioral control

Answer 21

Ability to step up and do something to reduce the impact of a stressful situation or prevent its recurrence. Problem focused and more effective than avoidance oriented coping

Question 22

Cognitive control

Answer 22

Ability to think differently about negative emotions that arise in response to stress provoking events. Includes emotion focused coping.

Question 23

Decisional control

Answer 23

The ability to choose among alternative courses of action

Question 24

Informational control

Answer 24

Ability to acquire information about a stressful event. Involves proactive coping.

Question 25

Proactive coping

Answer 25

Anticipation of problems and stressful situations that promotes effective coping

Question 26

Emotional control

Answer 26

Ability to suppress and express emotions. Writing about traumatic events can improve health and well being

Question 27

Crisis debriefing

Answer 27

Designed to ward off PTSD among people exposed to trauma. Single session procedure typically conducted in groups, that usually lasts three to four hours. Studies show that it is not effective and taking about problems can make it worse

Question 28

Individual differences

Answer 28

Our attitudes, personalities, and socialization shape our reactions to potential stressors

Question 29

Hardiness

Answer 29

Set of attitudes marked by a sense of control over events, commitment to life and work, and courage and motivation to confront stressful events

Question 30

Optimists vs pessimistic

Answer 30

Pg. 464. Optimists cops with stress better

Question 31

Religion pg 465

Answer 31

1. Many religions foster self control and prohibit risky behaviors like alcohol, drugs, unsafe sex.
2. Religious engagement often boosts social support and shared religious beliefs increases marital satisfaction.
3. A sense of meaning and purpose, control over life, Positive emotions, and positive appraisals of stressful situations associated with prayer and religious activities may enhance coping

Question 32

Flexible coping

Answer 32

Ability to adjust coping strategies as the situation demands is critical to contending with many stressful situations.

Question 33

Ruminating

Answer 33

Focus on how bad we feel and endlessly analyzing the causes and consequences of our problems. Men and women alike can benefit from cutting down on rumination and confronting their problems head on