Health, Stress and Coping

Question 1

Outline the four major types of stress

Answer 1

1. Frustration
   - occurs as a result of goal thwarting
2. Conflict
   - Relates to decision making
   - Approach-approach (a choice between two attractive goals)
   - Avoidance-avoidance (a choice between two unattractive goals)
   - Approach-avoidance (pursuing a goal with both attractive and unattractive aspects)
3. Pressure
   - Demands put onto an individual to behave a certain way
   - to conform or perform
4. Change
   - readjustment in one’s circumstances

Question 2

What is Lazarus’ model of cognitive appraisal?

Answer 2

• The model outlines the cognitive process that leads to (or doesn’t lead to) stress

Concepts

• Primary appraisal: is the situation relevant and threatening? Leads to secondary appraisal. Harmless? Leads to no stress
• Secondary appraisal: evaluation of coping resources for dealing with stressor
• Individual differences: will determine the magnitude of reaction and available coping resources (personality, experience)

Question 3

Describe and explain the types of coping strategies.

Answer 3

Coping is an effort to master, reduce or tolerate the demands created by stress

• Problem-focused: directly attacking the problem
• Emotional-focused: looking for emotional support
• Avoidance: avoiding the issue entirely
• Goodness of fit
• Controllable stressor: use problem-focused
• Uncontrollable: use emotional-focused

Question 4

List strategies to reduce and manage stress

Answer 4

• Exercise: helps reduce tension, release endorphins and increase cognitive processes
• Relaxation techniques: music, mindfulness (controlled breathing, PMR)
• Asking for help
• Humour (increased positive emotions, social interaction, and re-appraisal)
• Releasing pent-up emotions (expressive writing, psychotherapy)

Question 5

Outline the stage model for response to diagnosis (of chronic illness).

Answer 5

• Uncertainty: unsure of the meaning of symptoms
• Disruption: realisation of symptoms and severity
• Striving for recovery: attempts to gain some control over illness (via active coping)
• Restoration of well-being: acceptance of the illness and its consequences
• *Limitations:
• not generalisable to all illness
• Not all stages are experienced
• Doesn’t explain negative responses such as anger, depression, and the change in identity