Lecture 11 - Health Psychology Flashcards
stress
an unpleasant emotional state that results from the perception of threat or challenge
the stress response is understood in what model
General adaptation syndrom with three stages (1. alarm reaction 2. resistance 3. exhaustion)
Cognitive appraisal models
theoretical frameworks that describe how
individuals evaluate and respond to stressors
stress and the amygdala
sensory input travels from thalamus to the amygdala which identifies dangerious stimuli, should stimulus be dangerous it communicates with the hypothalamus which commands the nervous system
two systems used to mobilise the body in dangerous situations
sympathethic adrenal-medullary (SAM) system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
SAM system
Initiate the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine into the bloodstream, which produces many of the immediate, short-lived, fight-or-flight responses to stress, such as a pounding heart and rapid
breathing
HPA axis
initiates the release of cortison into the bloodstream, effects of HPA axis actiivy are slower to develop but last longer than SAM response
epigenetics of stress
rate of expression of genes linked to MDD interacts with an individual’s quality of social experience, from adversity to support - stress in early life produces lasting challenges
gender differences in stress response
Women are more likely to tend-and-befriend in response to stressor due to release of oxytocin
Stress and the Immune System
Acute, short-lived stress enhances our immune response in adaptive ways, promoting healing and resistance to infections. Long-term chronic stressors reduce immune responses by suppressing
the activity of white blood cells
Stress and Heart Disease
Type A personality are more susceptible to heart disease than Type B
personality.
Type A personality
characterized by competitiveness, time urgency, high ambition, and hostility
Type B personality
characterized by a more relaxed, patient, and easy-going approach to life.
manage stress through
sense of control, religious beliefs, regular aerobic exercise, mindfulness, social connectedness and support, pets
coping strategies
problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, relationship-focused coping
Problem-focused coping
to address specific problems by finding
solutions.
Emotion-focused coping
helps you deal with the negative
emotions associated with a stressor and can be positive (sharing concerns or exercising) or negative (overeating, negative)
Relationship-focused coping
helps you maintain and protect social
relationships in response to stress - seeking support from peers
resilience
the ability to adapt to life’s challenges in positive ways
trait associated with resilience
hardiness
hardiness =
commitment + control + challenge
positive psychology
approach to psychology that emphasizes
normal behaviour and human strengths which embraces humanistic emphases on human growth
Traits that contribute to well-being include
hope, resilience, spirituality,
gratitude
Hope
Expectation that your goals will be met in the future
Resilience
not only serves as a buffer for stress but can lead to growth following a traumatic experience
Spirituality
Recognizing things that are bigger than one’s personal
existence
Gratitude
a positive emotion that involves recognizing and appreciating the good things in one’s life
