Module 38-9 Health Psychology Flashcards
health psychology
the aggregate of the specific educational, scientific, and profession contribution of the discipline of psychology to the promotion and maintenance of health, the promotion and treatment of illness and related dysfunction
includes effects of emotions, personality, attitudes, behaviors, responses to stress
topics of study in health psychology (behavioral medicine)
- phases of stress response and adaptation
- how stress and health are affected by:
appraisal of stressors
severity of stressors
personality types
perceived control
emotion or problem focus
optimism
social support
exercise
relaxation
religious faith and participation
biomedical vs biopsychosocial model
biomedical – what biologically caused the illness
biopsychosocial – how did other environmental factors cause this illness
biomedical model
reductionist: explains illness by simplest possible process (e.g. disordered cell growth in tumors)
single-factor causes: looks for one cause instead of many causes
focuses on illness (not health)
people are not responsible for illness
biopsychosocial model
holistic: looks at all levels of explanation from micro-level (e.g. biochemical changes in the body) to macro-level (the culture or environment you live in)
focuses on multi-factorial model: assumes that health and illness have many causes and is very complex
does not focus exclusively on illness but instead emphasizes health as on a continuum
people’s behavior and lifestyle shape their health, not solely predetermined and that instead you can change your behavior
why zebras don’t get ulcers (fight or flight)
like in the animal kingdom, humans have the same cortisol effect but in response to non-life-threatening stress
stress
refers to the process of appraising and responding to events which we considering threatening or challenging
stressor
event or condition which we view as threatening, challenging, or overwhelming
ex: poverty, explosion, psychology test, cold, being in a plane, loud noises
appraisal
refers to deciding whether to view something as a stressor
stress reaction
refers to any emotional and physical responses to the stressor such as rapid heartbeat, elevated cortisol levels, and crying
components of stress
- process in which you participate
- includes stressor, cognitive appraisal, body response, and coping strategies
- advantages to breaking “stress” into these components is that we can see options for altering each of these different factors
stress in america study (APA)
- all generations (ages) are experiencing similar levels of stress
- differences in managing stress between generations
inherently and universally stressful conditions
extreme, chronic physical threats or challenges (such as noise or starvation)
benefits of BRIEF stress experiences
- improves immune system response
- motivates action
- focuses priorities
- feelings of engagement, energized, satisfied
- provides challenges that encourages growth, knowledge, and self-esteem
harmful effects of extreme or prolonged stress
- mental and physical coping systems become overwhelmed and defeated rather than strengthened
- immune functioning and other health factors decline because of damage
- key factor is whether there is a chance for recovery and healing
stressors
the events and conditions that trigger our stress response, because theya re perceived/apraised as overwhelmingly challenging, threatening, and/or harmful
spectrum of levels of intensity and persistence of stressors (or 4 categories)
- catastrophes
- significant life changes
- chronic daily hassles
- low social status/power
- text focuses on the first three
stressor: catastrophic events/conditions
- appraisal is not essential in a catastrophic event: most people agee that the event is harmful and overwhelming
- ex: hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, war/combat, wildfires
- can be one single event or chronic harmful conditions
effects of catastrophic events/conditions
short term: increased heart attacks on the day of the event
long term: depression, nightmares, anxiety, flashbacks
bonding: both the trauma and the recovery are with others
effects of what are considered “happy” life changes: marriage, starting college/job, birth/adoption
- change is challenging
- new roles, priorities, tasks, can put strain on coping resources