Chapter 11: Stress & Health

Question 1

An unpleasant physical or psychological reaction to circumstances that are perceived as challenging.

Answer 1

Stress

Question 2

Circumstances that cause stress.

Answer 2

Stressors

Question 3

Appraisal

Answer 3

How you evaluate the things that happen to you.

Question 4

Determines how stressful an event is

Answer 4

Primary appraisal

Question 5

Determines how capable you are to handle an event.

Answer 5

Secondary Appraisal

Question 6

3 C’s of Hardiness

Answer 6

Commitment (staying involved vs. Bailing), Controlling (what you can control), Challenge (Seeing a stressor as a challenge that can be faced courageously)

Question 7

The minor annoyances/aggravations of day to day life that add up to cause significant stress.

Answer 7

Hassles

Question 8

change

Answer 8

Anything that disrupts one’s daily schedule. (Holmes & Rahe) Greater change= more stressful.

Question 9

General Adaptation Syndrome

Answer 9

How bodies respond to ongoing stress.
ALARM (fight or flight) –> RESISTANCE (blood pressure/sugar rise to cope w stressor) –> EXHAUSTION (physical reserves depleted; more vulnerable to illness)

Question 10

Chronic Stress causes:

Answer 10

increase in physical illness

Question 11

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

Answer 11

Study of the relationship between psychological factors and the immune system

Question 12

Immunosuppression

Answer 12

Reduced antibody production which decreases ability to fight off various illnesses.

Question 13

Psychophysiological Disorders

Answer 13

Physical ailments that are partly caused by and/or exacerbated by stress.

EX: Headaches, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, colds, HIV, cancer

Question 14

Psychological stress increases what

Answer 14

Increased susceptibility to anxiety, depression, annoyance, anger, other psychological disorders

Question 15

Psychological Stress decreases what?

Answer 15

Concentration, attention, care.

Question 16

What personality traits correlate with high stress levels?

Answer 16

neuroticism, openness.

Question 17

What personality traits correlate with low stress levels?

Answer 17

Conscientiousness & Extraversion

Question 18

PTSD

Answer 18

Psychological disorder lasting AT LEAST a month. Feeling on edge, avoiding reminders of traumatic event, difficulty sleeping & concentrating, frequently reliving the event.

Question 19

Acute Stress disorder

Answer 19

Takes place 3 days- 1 Month after trauma. Feeling dazed, anxious, and experiencing flashbacks.

Question 20

Adjustment Disorder

Answer 20

AKA SITUATIONAL DEPRESSION. excessively disruptive stress reaction to an identifyable stressor. Does NOT require trauma.

Any situation you perceive as stressful and that causes significant problems in your work, social or home life.

Question 21

Prolonged Grief Disorder

Answer 21

Person experiences the death of someone followed by grief that is long lasting (> 12 months).

Question 22

Coping

Answer 22

Any effort to reduce/ manage the experience of stress.

Question 23

Sympathetic listener; validates provides warmth

Answer 23

Emotional Social Support

Question 24

Evaluates seriousness of stressor

Answer 24

Appraisal Social Support

Question 25

Advice on how to deal with stressor

Answer 25

Informational Social Support

Question 26

Providing material goods/ services to overcome the stressor

Answer 26

Instrumental social support

Question 27

Problem - focused coping

Answer 27

Emphasizes changing the stressor. Used when stressor is controllable

Question 28

Emotion - focused Coping

Answer 28

Emphasizes changing one’s emotional reaction to the stressor. Used when stressor is uncontrollable.

Question 29

Aerobic exercise

Answer 29

Physical exercise that maintains an increased heart rate for a prolonged time. Brings oxygen to the muscles. Running, walking, swimming.

Question 30

Stages of change:
Precontemplation

Answer 30

“Exercise, why? Im already in good shape.”

Question 31

Stages of change: Contemplation

Answer 31

Maybe I should lose a couple pounds..

Question 32

Stages of change: Preparation

Answer 32

Ill look for some free exercise apps

Question 33

Stages of change:
Action

Answer 33

Im exercising 3 times a week!

Question 34

Stages of change:
Maintenence

Answer 34

I plan to keep this up.

Question 35

Proactive Coping

Answer 35

focus on goals; identify potential inference & prepare.
PRIORITIES, GOALS, ORGANIZATION!!!

Question 36

Coping with stress

Answer 36

• Eat a healthy diet
• Exercise regularly
• Get plenty of sleep regularly
• Strengthen & maintain effective social relationships
• Mindfulness
• Relaxation, meditation, yoga, contemplative prayer, combat breathing