Chapter 14: Stress and Health

Question 1

Stressors

Answer 1

an event, experience, or environmental stimulus that causes stress in an individual. physical/psychological, threats/challenges. eg. Money, job pressure

Question 2

Stress

Answer 2

a natural response to a challenge or threat that can be physiological or psychological

Question 3

Health Psychology

Answer 3

branch of psychology that studies how biological, psychological, and social factors impact health

Question 4

Chronic Stressors

Answer 4

ongoing, everyday issues that can affect a person’s body, mind, family, or community. eg
Disease/disorders, abuse

Question 5

Fight-or-Flight Response

Answer 5

automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening

Question 6

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Answer 6

describes the process your body goes through when you are exposed to any kind of stress, positive or negative; alarm, resistance and exhaustion

Question 7

Alarm

Answer 7

The body’s initial response to stress, which involves a burst of energy. The hypothalamus sends a distress signal, which triggers the release of adrenaline and cortisol

Question 8

Resistance

Answer 8

The body attempts to resist or adapt to the stressor. The body uses deep energy reserves, which can compromise the immune system. Signs of the resistance stage include irritability, frustration, and poor concentration

Question 9

Exhaustion

Answer 9

The body’s energy reserves are depleted, and the body shuts down and cannot respond. This can increase the chance of illness.

Question 10

Telomeres

Answer 10

a protective casing at the end of a strand of DNA and chronic stress and cortisol exposure decreases your supply of telomeres

Question 11

Telomerase

Answer 11

a special enzyme that maintains the length of telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes

Question 12

Immune System

Answer 12

network of cells, tissues, organs, and the substances they make that helps the body fight infections and other disease, over-stress causes weak IS

Question 13

Lymphocytes

Answer 13

white blood cells that travel in the blood stream and defend the body from abnormal cells, disease-causing bacteria and viruses

Question 14

Type A Behaviour Pattern

Answer 14

personality trait that describes people who are highly competitive, ambitious, and have a sense of time urgency

Question 15

Burnout

Answer 15

a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress

Question 16

Repressive Coping

Answer 16

Defence mechanism that involves inhibiting negative feelings or thoughts to avoid threatening one’s self-image

Question 17

Rational Coping

Answer 17

a way to question negative thoughts and recognize that you have the ability to handle a situation

Question 18

Reframing

Answer 18

technique that involves replacing negative thoughts with more helpful ones. It’s a skill taught in cognitive behavioural therapy

Question 19

Stress-Inoculation Training (SIT)

Answer 19

Helps people understand stress, its effects, and how to develop strategies to reduce those effects

Question 20

Meditation

Answer 20

a practice that involves using mental and physical techniques to focus or clear the mind

Question 21

Relaxation Therapy

Answer 21

helps reduce stress and muscle tension, lower blood pressure, and control pain. It can involve a variety of techniques

Question 22

Relaxation Response

Answer 22

physical state of deep relaxation that occurs when the body releases chemicals to slow down the heart rate and breathing

Question 23

Biofeedback

Answer 23

mind-body technique that teaches people to control some of their body’s functions, such as heart rate, breathing, and muscle tension

Question 24

Aerobic Exercise

Answer 24

physical activity that uses oxygen to produce energy and doesn’t require more oxygen than the body can take in

Question 25

Social Support

Answer 25

care and belonging people receive from others, which can help them cope with stress, manage health problems, and improve their self-esteem

Question 26

Religious/Spiritual Practice

Answer 26

engaging in Religious/Spiritual practice is a body management coping strategy for stress

Question 27

Humour

Answer 27

reduces sensitivity to pain/stress and reduces time needed to calm down after stressful events

Question 28

Sickness Response

Answer 28

behavioural reaction to threats to the body, such as infection or injury, that helps increase the chances of survival

Question 29

Sick Role

Answer 29

states that someone suffering from sickness has their own set of rights and responsibilities

Question 30

Malingering

Answer 30

the intentional production of false or exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms for a secondary gain

Question 31

Patient-Practitioner Interaction

Answer 31

The patient trusts the provider with his or her healthcare and the practitioner is expected to fulfill certain duties toward the patient

Question 32

Opitimism

Answer 32

mental attitude that involves expecting good things to happen in the future and having a positive outlook

Question 33

Hardiness

Answer 33

personality style that helps people cope with stress and adapt to change. It’s characterized by three interrelated attitudes; control, commitment, acceptance of challage

Question 34

Health Promoting Behaviours

Answer 34

• Eating a balanced diet
• Getting enough sleep
• Exercising regularly
• Avoiding excessive alcohol

Question 35

Self-Regulation

Answer 35

the ability to manage and control one’s thoughts, emotions, behaviour, and attention