Chapter 11 - Health and Well Being Flashcards
Health Psychology
Studies impacts of emotion, personality, attitudes, behaviors and stress.
Biopsychosocial Model
Biological, behavioral and social factors effect health and illness.
Stress
Describes the physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral responses to threatening or challenging events.
Stressor
An event or condition which we view as threatening, challenging or overwhelming.
Whatever is causing the stress.
Appraisal
Refers to deciding whether to view something as a stressor.
Stress Reaction
Refers to any emotional and physical responses to the stressor.
Ex: rapid heartbeat, heavy breathing, crying, etc
When is appraisal not essential?
In a catastrophic event.
Bonding
When the trauma and the recovery are shared with others.
What are the two major kinds of stressors?
Distress and Eustress
Distress
The effect of unpleasant and undesirable stressors.
Eustress
The effect of positive events, or the optimal amount of stress that people need to promote good health and well-being.
Can stress be helpful?
A brief amount of stress can be.
How can a brief amount of stress be beneficial?
It can:
1) Improve immune system response.
2) Motivate action.
3) Focus priorities.
4) Make you feel engaged, energized and satisfied.
5) Provide challenges that encourage growth.
Why is prolonged stress harmful?
1) It can cause mental and physical coping systems to become overwhelmed and defeated.
2) Immune functioning and other health factors decline due to damage.
What are the 3 phases of the body’s response to stress?
Phase 1: The sympathetic nervous system kicks in reducing pain and increasing the heart rate. (Alarm Stage)
Phase 2: The brain sends signals to the adrenal gland to produce more cortisol and other stress hormones. (Resistance Stage)
Phase 3: Exhaustion (Exhaustion Stage :P)
