Ch. 12 Stress, coping, and health Flashcards
stress
the tension, discomfort, or physical symptoms that arise when a situation, called a stressor-a type of stimulus- strains our ability to cope effectively.
Traumatic event
a stressor that’s severe that it can produce long term psychological or health consequences.
Stressors as stimuli
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.
stress as a response
They assess psychological and physical reactions to stressful events.
Corticosteroid
stress hormone that activates the body and prepares us to respond to stressful circumstances.
Post traumatic growth
the perception of beneficial change or personal transformation in the struggle to overcome adversity.
Pg. 455.
Stress as a transaction
Examine the interaction between potentially stressful life events and how people interpret and cope with them. pg. 456
Primary appraisal
initial decision regarding whether an event is harmful.
secondary appraisal
perceptions regarding our ability to cope with an event that follows primary appraisal.
Problem focused coping
coping strategy by which we problem solve and tackle life’s challenges head on.
emotion focused coping
coping strategy that features a positive outlook on feelings or situations accompanied by behaviors that reduce painful emotions. No two stresses are created equal
Major life events- Social Readjustment Rating Scale
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).
Hassles
minor annoyance or nuisance that strains our ability to cope. Everyday hassles do indeed contribute to stress.
Hassles scale
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
General Adaptation syndrome (GAS) Pg.458-459
Stress response pattern proposed by Hans Selye that consists of three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
The alarm reaction
Involves the excitation of the autonomic nervous system, the discharge of the stress hormone adrenaline, and physical symptoms of anxiety.
Resistance
He adapts to the stressor and finds ways to cope with it.
Exhaustion
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.
Tend and befriend
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.
Social support pg. 461
Relations with people groups, and the larger community that can provide us with emotional comfort and personal and financial resources
Behavioral control
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
Cognitive control
Ability to think differently about negative emotions that arise in response to stress provoking events. Includes emotion focused coping.
Decisional control
The ability to choose among alternative courses of action
Informational control
Ability to acquire information about a stressful event. Involves proactive coping.
Proactive coping
Anticipation of problems and stressful situations that promotes effective coping
Emotional control
Ability to suppress and express emotions. Writing about traumatic events can improve health and well being
Crisis debriefing
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
Individual differences
Our attitudes, personalities, and socialization shape our reactions to potential stressors
Hardiness
Set of attitudes marked by a sense of control over events, commitment to life and work, and courage and motivation to confront stressful events
Optimists vs pessimistic
Pg. 464. Optimists cops with stress better
Religion pg 465
- Many religions foster self control and prohibit risky behaviors like alcohol, drugs, unsafe sex.
- Religious engagement often boosts social support and shared religious beliefs increases marital satisfaction.
- 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
Flexible coping
Ability to adjust coping strategies as the situation demands is critical to contending with many stressful situations.
Ruminating
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
