Improving stress Flashcards
MICHENBAUM 1972
(Outline a cognitive technique for managing stress)
Background
A cognitive technique for measuring stress is Stress Inoculation Training developed by Michenbaum.
It has three stages:
1. Conceptualisation-patient identifies dysfunctional thoughts, beliefs and maladaptive behaviours.
2. Skill acquisition-therapist helps patient to replace dysfunctional thoughts, beliefs and behaviours with healthier ones. Such as relaxation training and affirmations.
3. Application-patient puts new skills learnt into practice in progressively more stressful situations.
MICHENBAUM 1972
Aim
To compare SIT with standard behavioural systematic desensitisation and a control group on a waiting list.
MICHENBAUM 1972
Method and design
Field experiment using self report. Matches pairs design, matched on gender and anxiety levels.
MICHENBAUM 1972
Participants
21 students aged 17 to 25, volunteers.
MICHENBAUM 1972
Procedure
Each participant tested using test anxiety questionnaire and randomly allocated to either SIT therapy group, waiting list or the standard systematic desensitisation group.
SIT group received 8 therapy sessions helping them identify their thoughts prior to tests, given positive statements to say and relaxation techniques to use in test situations.
SBSD group were also given 8 therapy sessions with progressive relaxation training, which they were encourage to practise at home.
Control group told they were on a waiting list and would receive therapy in future.
MICHENBAUM 1972
Results
Performance on the tests improved in the SIT group compared with other two groups. The significant difference was between the two therapy groups and the control group.
Participants in the SIT group showed more reported improvement in their anxiety levels although both therapy group showed overall improvements compared to control group.
MICHENBAUM 1972
Conclusion
SIT is a more effective way of reducing anxiety in students who are anxiety prone in test situations. It is more effective than behavioural techniques such as systematic desensitisation as it adds a cognitive component to the therapy.
BUDZYNSKI 1970
Behavioural technique for managing stress
Background
A behavioural technique to improving stress is biofeedback, where biological responses are measured by electronic instruments which the person can see the changes in the biological responses as they’re taking place. The feedback allows them to alter the physiological responses. Type of biofeedback most commonly used is Electromyograph (EMG) reflecting skeletal muscle activity, uses electrodes on the muscles being monitored. The level of electrical activity reflects the degree of tension or relaxation of muscles.
BUDZYNSKI 1970
Aim
To see whether biofeedback is an effective method of reducing tension headaches.
BUDZYNSKI 1970
Method and design
Experiential method with patients being trained in a lab, using independent measures design.
BUDZYNSKI 1970
Participants
18 participants that replied to advert in Colorado paper.
BUDZYNSKI 1970
Procedure
For two weeks kept record of their headaches and randomly assigned to one of three groups. Groups A and B were given 16 sessions of training, 2 sessions a week for 8 weeks.
Group A taught relaxation and told the ‘clicks’ of the biofeedback machine would reflect their muscle tension, slower clicks indicating less muscle tension.
Group B told to concentrate on varying clicks and were given pseudo feedback.
Group C were given no training but told it would begin in two months.
BUDZYNSKI 1970
Results
Muscle tension of Group A was significantly different from Group B by the end of training. After three months A’s tension was significantly lower than B.
A’s reported headaches dropped significantly from their baseline, whereas others didn’t and was also significantly less than B’s and C’s reported headaches.
Drug usage in group A decreased, more than in B.
A reported less headache activity than B.
BUDZYNSKI 1970
Conclusion
Biofeedback is an effective way of training patients to relax and reduce their tension headaches, can be seen as an effective method of stress management.
Relaxation training is also more effective than just being monitored but is better when used with biofeedback.
WAXLER-MORRISON 1991
(Outline social approach to managing stress)
Background
Social approach to managing stress suggests that social support lessens or eliminates the harmful effects of stress and therefore protects against disease and death. One reason for this might be that socially isolated people will be less likely to have friends and acquaintances who encourage them to protect their health or go the doctors.
