Ch 37 Stress and Coping Flashcards
stress
actual or alleged hazard to the balance of homeostasis
homeostasis
state of steady internal, physical, chemical, and social conditions maintained by living systems
stressors
physical, psychological, or social stimuli that can produce stress and endanger homeostasis (force causing stress)
appraisal
how a person interprets the impact of the stressor (eustress- good, distress- bad)
trauma
when symptoms of stress persist beyond the duration of the stressor
acute stress
experienced on a daily basis from minor situations
chronic stress
experienced on an ongoing basis (typically > 6 months)
PTSD
traumatic events can include motor vehicle crashes, natural disasters, violence (common in military, veterans, first responders, and health care providers)
secondary traumatic stress
trauma a person experiences from witnessing suffering of others; component of compassion fatigue (common in health care providers and first responders)
crisis
occurs when coping mechanisms are ineffective and a change must be made (turning point)
developmental crisis
also called a maturational crisis, occurs as a person moves through life
situational crisis
external crisis, typically unexpected trauma (ex: car crash, medical diagnosis)
adventitious crisis
also called events of disaster, occurs during a major national disaster, man-made disaster, crimes of violence (ex: covid, wildfires, 9/11)
primary appraisal
appraising event in terms of its personal meaning; stress results when a person identifies an event or circumstance as a harm, loss, threat, or challenge
secondary appraisal
concurrently happens with primary appraisal; a person considers available resources and coping strategies; stress occurs if the demons placed on the person by the event exceed the ability to cope
coping
cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage a stressor (unique to person and can be impacted by goals, beliefs, personal resources, cultural background, age, and types of stress experienced)
good coping mechanisms: exercise, therapy, healthy eating, time with family/friends, hobbies
bad coping: substance abuse, overworking
factors influencing stress and coping:
-situational factors
-maturational factors
-sociocultural factors
-situational factors: stressors in the workplace, adjusting to a new diagnosis
-maturational factors: stressors based on life stages, Erickson’s developmental theory, milestones like beginning a family and career, losing parents, seeing children leave home, accepting physical aging
-sociocultural factors: environmental, social, and cultural stressors (ex: poverty, physical disability, social isolation)
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is initiated by the pituitary gland, three stages are:
- alarm stage
- resistance stage
- exhaustion stage
alarm stage
fight or flight, central nervous system is aroused, body defenses are mobilized
resistance stage
body stabilizes and responds, body is compensating for the changes that occurred during the alarm stage
exhaustion stage
continuous stress causes a breakdown of compensatory mechanisms, can no longer adapt to stressor, this state is associated with physical problems
compassion fatigue
state of burnout and secondary traumatic stress resulting from physical and mental fatigue and exhaustion; occurs when perceived demands outweigh perceived resources; feelings of irritability, restlessness, and inability to focus/engage with others (often affects health care providers and caregivers)
second victim syndrome
when a medical error occurs that inflicts significant harm on a patient and the patient’s family; can sustain complex psychological harm that can lead to detrimental outcomes such as suicide; can lead to similar symptoms of PTSD; need to support nurses/health care staff when event occurs
