Chapter 1

Question 1

Genetic Influences
(Predisposing factors)

Answer 1

circumstances of an individual’s life that are acquired through heredity. Examples include family history of physical and psychological conditions (strengths and weaknesses) and temperament (behavioral characteristics present at birth that evolve with development).

Question 2

Past experiences
(predisposing factors)

Answer 2

occurrences that result in learned patterns that can influence an individual’s adaptation response. They include previous exposure to the stressor or other stressors, learned coping responses, and degree of adaptation to previous stressors.

Question 3

Existing conditions
(predisposing factors)

Answer 3

incorporate vulnerabilities that influence the adequacy of the individual’s physical, psychological, and social resources for dealing with adaptive demands. Examples include current health status, motivation, developmental maturity, severity and duration of the stressor, financial and educational resources, age, existing coping strategies, and a caring support system.

Question 4

Maladaptation

Answer 4

Maladaptation is the process by which an individual’s response to change results in disruption of individual integrity or in persistent disequilibrium.

Question 5

Awareness
(Adaptive Coping Strategies)

Answer 5

to become aware of the factors that create stress and the feelings associated with a stressful response. Stress can be managed only when one recognizes the signs that it is occurring. As an individual becomes aware of stressors, he or she can choose to omit, avoid, or accept them.

Question 6

Relaxation
(Adaptive Coping strategies)

Answer 6

Some people relax by engaging in gross motor activities, such as sports, jogging, and physical exercise. Others use techniques such as breathing exercises and progressive relaxation.

Question 7

Meditation
(Adaptive Coping Strategies)

Answer 7

The practice of mindfulness meditation is foundational to many psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing anxiety and improving engagement in problem-solving. Meditation involves assuming a comfortable position, closing the eyes, casting off all other thoughts, and concentrating on a single word, sound, or phrase that has positive meaning to the individual. It may also involve concentrating on one’s breathing or other mindfulness practices.

Question 8

Interpersonal Communication
(Adaptive Coping Strategies)

Answer 8

Sometimes just “talking the problem out” with an empathetic individual can interrupt escalation of the stress response. Writing about one’s feelings in a journal or diary can also be therapeutic.

Question 9

Problem-Solving
(Adaptive Coping Strategies)

Answer 9

the individual is able to view the situation objectively (or to seek assistance from another individual to accomplish this if the anxiety level is too high to concentrate) and then apply a problem-solving and decision-making model such as the following:

■ Assess the facts of the situation.

■ Formulate goals for resolution of the stressful situation.

■ Study the alternatives for dealing with the situation.

■ Determine the risks and benefits of each alternative.

■ Select an alternative.

■ Implement the alternative selected.

■ Evaluate the outcome of the alternative implemented.

■ If the first choice is ineffective, select and implement a second option.

Question 10

Pets
(Adaptive Coping Strategies)

Answer 10

The physical act of stroking a dog’s or cat’s fur can be therapeutic, giving the animal an intuitive sense of being cared for and providing the individual the calming feeling of warmth, affection, and interdependence with a reliable, trusting being. Studies have also shown that individuals with companion pets demonstrate improvements in heart health, allergies, anxiety, and mental illnesses such as depression

Question 11

Music
(Adaptive Coping Strategies)

Answer 11

Studies have shown multiple benefits of listening to music, including relieving pain, improving motivation and performance, improving sleep, enhancing blood vessel function, reducing stress, relieving symptoms of depression, improving cognition, and easing recovery in stroke patients

Question 12

Precipitating Event

Answer 12

stimulus arising from the internal or external environment and perceived by the individual in a specific manner

Question 13

Benign-positive outcome

Answer 13

is one that is perceived as producing pleasure for the individual

Question 14

Stress appraisals

Answer 14

include harm or loss, threat, and challenge. Harm or loss appraisals refer to damage or loss already experienced by the individual

Question 15

Irrelevant

Answer 15

when the outcome holds no significance for the individual.

Question 16

Adaptation

Answer 16

A Adaptation is the process by which an individual’s response to change results in preservation of individual integrity or timely return to equilibrium.

Question 17

Alarm Reaction Stage

Question 18

Stage of Resistance

Answer 18

During this stage, the physiological responses of the fight-or-flight syndrome are initiated.

Question 19

Stage of exhaustion

Answer 19

The individual uses the physiological responses of the first stage as a defense in the attempt to adapt to the stressor. If adaptation occurs, the third stage is prevented or delayed. Physiological symptoms may disappear.

Question 20

Stage of exhaustion

Answer 20

This stage occurs when the body responds to prolonged exposure to a stressor. The adaptive energy is depleted, and the individual can no longer draw from the resources for adaptation described in the first two stages. Diseases of adaptation (e.g., headaches, mental disorders, coronary artery disease, ulcers, colitis) may occur. Without intervention for reversal, exhaustion, and in some cases even death, ensues