Outcome Two Stress

Question 1

Stress

Answer 1

The psychobiological effect that occurs when an individual must adapt or change their behaviour in response to a change in their internal or external environment in which they feel as they do not have the resources to cope.
The automatic psychological and physical arousal a person feels in response to a stressor

Question 2

Stressor

Answer 2

The object or event that causes the stress

Question 3

Eustress

Answer 3

A positive psychological response to a stressor, characterised by positive psychological states, that helps the body perform at an optimal level. We feel as though we can cope with the situation.we perceive the situation as a challenge

Question 4

Distress

Answer 4

A negative psychological response to a stressor, characterised by negative psychological states that impedes on performance. When we feel as though we can not cope with a situation

Question 5

Acute stress

Answer 5

Body’s immediate response to stress. It is caused by daily demands and pressures. It is a state of brief but intense psychological arousal to an immediate perceived stressor, usually has no negative impacts on health and well-being.
It can be beneficial in small doses

Question 6

Chronic stress

Answer 6

Body’s response to a long term stressor. It is a state of prolonged physiological arousal in response to a persistent stressor that can negatively impact our health and wellbeing.
It may not feel as intense but be a continuous feeling of unease, despair or hopelessness

Question 7

Stress and performance

Answer 7

Yerkes Dodson curve
Low levels of stress do not motivate us
Moderate levels of stress arouse and energise us to perform at an optional level
High levels of stress and arousal impact performance

Question 8

Emotion focused strategies

Answer 8

Aimed at managing the emotional distress by changing the emotions (negative) associated with the stressor.
Effective if the stressor is outside of the individuals control and can not be altered, a persons mindset can
Not a long term solution
Negative solutions: denial substance abuse

Question 9

Avoidance strategies

Answer 9

Cognitively and behaviourally avoid or escape stressor to escape and manage painful or threading situations and the emotions feelings thoughts and sensations associated with a stressor.
They are ineffective because they do not encourage people to seek social support or engage in problem facing activities. It is maladaptive because you do not defeat the stressor. Short term not long term , they do not provide a sense of control over a situation

Question 10

Approach strategies

Answer 10

Response to a stressor in practical ways. The behavioural and psychological responses designed to change the nature of the stressor or how he thinks about it.
It is considered to be an active strategy because they involve an awareness of a stressor
Directly confronting the stressor and make a realistic appraisal of it
Seeking support ect, most effective ways to confront the stressor, regaining a sense of control
They can be problem focused or emotional focused

Question 11

Problem focused strategies

Answer 11

Directly target the stressor aimed at reducing the stressor
Reappraising the stressor
Plan of action
Will not work in all situations, particularly when the situation if beyond the individuals control
They work well

Question 12

Daily pressures

Answer 12

Annoyances and minor events that can be perceived a stressors. They require minor adjustments in behaviour.
Can be shown through headaches mood swings or lowered self esteem
They can elate cortisol levels

Question 13

What happens when daily pressures build up?

Answer 13

Negative impact may intensify and effects of stress are amplified Physical and mental health will suffer
Can lead to chronic stress

Question 14

Life events

Answer 14

Can be seen as eustress or distressing

They are major significant but rare events that require a change in behaviour in a relatively short amount of time

Question 15

Acculturative stress

Answer 15

Stress caused by acculturation
The relocation to anew country or wear and the challenges it presents
The stress refers to reduction in health status caused by attempting to meet the demands and values of a foreign culture both psychologically and socially.
Trying to cope with differences between host culture and original culture. ( social customs politics education)
Greater in women and children
Variables associated: cultural and language barriers, conditions previously lived in, discrimination ect
The degree to which a person attempts to assimilate

Question 16

Acculturation definition

Answer 16

A process that involves a person changing their identity and behaviour to adopt the cultural traits or social patterns of the dominate culture lived in

Question 17

Major stress form catastrophes that disrupt entire communities

Answer 17

Individuals suffer major stress and has significant and long lasting effects. They can be unique to the individual or affect whole communities.
They may into a state of shock that overwhelms people’s ability to cope.
Natural and man made
Man made catastrophes have longer lasting psychological effects due to them being preventable
Natural catastrophes are seen as inevitable
Underpin systems that are day to day things
Given the right resources and responses to need people can return to a stable level of mental health

Question 18

Secondary stressor following a catastrophic event

Answer 18

Compounds initial stress that may lead to mental disorders
Homelessness los of income, physical injury , lack of access and legal procedures
as a result
PTSD anxiety substance abuse diminished task performance

Question 19

Positive psychological growth following a catastrophe

Answer 19

Product of the active coping style and support seeking behaviours which counteract the negative effects and arousal
Grater resilience and spirit, appreciation for life stinger family and community bonds

Question 20

PTSD

Answer 20

Post traumatic stress disorder - a pattern of symptoms following a major stressful life event that triggers clinically significant distress and dysfunction
Vulnerable and frightened of future evens
At any age, directly taking part or witnessing the event
Vary in frequency and intensity
One month symptoms must be present
- Reoccurring vivid flashbacks or nightmares
- avoidance of reminders
- detached from others
- negative thought pattern
- increased anger
- disruption to sleep
- prolonged autonomic arousal

Question 21

Stress responses

Answer 21

A set of physical and psychological responses that are automatically triggered as a result of the activation of the sympathetic nervous system following the perception of a threat
Help us to utilise all resources physical and psychological. Function at optimal levels

Question 22

Stress as a biological process

Answer 22

Sns is activated it sets of a set of physiological changes to increase our arousal level and energise us. ( prepared for action )
Hormones into the blood stream
(Adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol)
So that our heart rate increases, muscles tense and out pupils dilate.
Body functions that are not needed slow ( growth and repair of tissues and digestion ) so that energy can be directed to the areas of our body that respond to the threat.
Fff response

Question 23

Fight or flight response

Answer 23

Sns is activated, we automatically determine if we can do something to survive this threat.
Fight back Or flight
A mobilising response to a threat
Body resources are mobilised to produce more energy and elevate arousal level. Strengths and stamina increase, more alert and reactions are faster. It is considered to be an adaptive response physically and psychologically

Question 24

Freeze

Answer 24

And immobilising response
Helpless or incapable of dealing with the threat we adopt the freeze response
Sympathetic is suppressed and parasympathetic is automatically activated
Extreme defence strategy
Dissociative, mentally detached, operate receptors are released ( numbing effect) doesn’t feel pain or intense fear cause by the threat
Adaptive response
Bp drops so blood loss from wounds is less

Question 25

Seles general adaption syndrome (gas)

Answer 25

Non specific response to stress 
Applies to both eustress and distress
Physiological responses 
Comprised of three stages 
Alarm reaction 
Resistance 
Exhaustion

Question 26

Alarm reaction stage

Answer 26

Two parts
Shock and counter shock
In shock we first perceive the threat resistance levels fall below normal bp and temp fall below normal (body acts as though it is injured) muscles loose tone These reduce the individuals ability to deal with stressor
Counter shock- activation of sns and higher than normal level of arousal
Hormones to the blood stream (cortisol)
Speeds up bodily process and slows others
Results in flight or fight response

Question 27

Resistance stage

Answer 27

Stressor remains where the body attempts to stabilise its internal systems to fight the stressor
Lowering of the alarm stage symptoms
Body is able to cope better resistance is then still higher than normal
High cortisol levels can impact the immune system
All resources into fighting one stressor vulnerable to other stressors, illness

Question 28

Exhaustion stage

Answer 28

If we defeat the stressor para ns kicks in.
If we do not the bodies resources become depleted and the hormones involved in the ff response are drained
Vulnerable to additional stressors illness (mental or physical)
Fatigue, high bp, anxious or depressed, trouble with eating and sleeping patterns
Adrenal glands large and discoloured
Spleen and lymph nodes shrunk

Question 29

Long term stress problems

Answer 29

Adrenaline- heart palpitations and heart disease
Infections - immune system
Ulcers and stroke - sns
Fatigue skin irritations

Question 30

Strengths and limitations of the gas model

Answer 30

Conception of stress popularity 
Relations to physical and metal health 
Body reacts to stress
Weakness 
Non specific nature 
Different patterns of hormone sections from different people 
Over simplification 
Environmental and biological factors

Question 31

Cortisol role

Answer 31

Is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands directly into the blood stream
Maintenance of homeostasis, glucose metabolism, bop regulation, insulin, anti inflammatory and cns activation
High in the morning and decrease throughout the day
Released in response (eustress or distress)
Provides and directs energy to muscles
Negative impacts if elevated for an extensive durations of time

Question 32

Cortisols impact on the body if elevated for too long

Answer 32

If cortisol remains elevated 
Weakened immunity 
Decreased metabolism 
Decrease in muscle tissue
Increase in weight 
Anxiety 
Hypertension 
Suppressed thyroid function
Sleep disturbances 
High blood sugar
Decreased bone density 
Impaired cognition 
Chronic fatigue 
These introduce a new stressor to the individual

Question 33

Stress as a psychological process

Answer 33

Cognitive, behavioural and emotional effects
Perception and out ability to reasons and think logically
We may magnify the stress perceived and become dysfunctional .
Emotions may become unbalanced and difficult to control.
Mental disorders anxiety withdrawal from society
Negative behaviours drug and alcohol abuse overeating disrupted eating and sleeping patterns

Question 34

Psychosomatic illness

Answer 34

Negative emotions from stress build up and make a current illness worse resulting in a psychosomatic illness which can be caused by stress. Immune system is depressed

Question 35

Lazarus and folkmans transactional model of stress and coping

Answer 35

It is a psychological model
Explaining the mental process and cognitive appraisal in response to stressors,
Stress is a subjective experience; depends on the individuals perception and their ability to cope with the situation.
Stress is experienced if the demands in an individual exceed their perception of their coping resources
Includes our assessment of resources to cope. transaction bw an individual and their environment

Question 36

Primary appraisal (transactional model of stress)

Answer 36

Evaluation of the stressors impact on the situation and the potential threat it poses
Significant irrelevant benign positive threatening

Question 37

Secondary appraisal

Answer 37

Assessing what internal and external resources we have available to us so we can cope with the situation
Personal skills
Personal resources
Social resources
If we believe we lack the resources to cope we will make a negative secondary appraisal or a positive one if we do, we may reappraise the stressor to be less significant

Question 38

Explain the steps of the Lazarus and folkmans model of stress

Answer 38

Insert mental flowchart

Question 39

Strengths and weaknesses of the transactional model of stress

Answer 39

Distinguishes bw eustress and distress and acknowledges that stress is a subjective experience
Personal role in responding to a stressor and people can reappraise their reaction to the stressor, considers a range of psychological factors
Weaknesses
Does not consider the physical responses a body has to a stressor
Too simplistic
Difficult to test through experimental research due to the subjective nature
Difficult to seperate primary and secondary appraisal as they may happen simultaneously

Question 40

Contextual factors

Answer 40

The set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event and influence the way we perceive the stimulus as a stressor and the intensity experienced

Question 41

Coping

Answer 41

A process involving constantly changing thoughts and behaviours so that we can manage the demands (internal or external) of stressors, we appraise aa taxing or exceeding out resources

Question 42

Coping skills

Answer 42

Learnt behaviours and techniques that help us solve problems or meet the demands of a stressor
Series of responses

Question 43

Coping strategies

Answer 43

The behavioural and psychological responses a person makes to a stressor that are intended to manage the stressor and reduce the physical and psychological stress related to it
So we can function effectively even though the stressor may still remain
If a coping strategy does not reduce the effects of the stressor it is ineffective

Question 44

Coping effectiveness

Answer 44

The degree to which a coping straight or combination is successful in alleviating stress.

Question 45

Coping flexibility

Answer 45

An individuals ability to stop an ineffective coping strategy ( or evaluate a coping strategy) and implement an alternative effective coping strategy ( or adapt the coping process)
It is a measure of a person adaptive ability
Cognitive flexibility, situation strategy fit and goal attainment

Question 46

Physical exercise

Answer 46

Positive impact on hormone levels, physical condition and muscle tone. Energy levels, strengthed immune system. Helps you recover fro injury and injury from stress based arousal.
Maintains healthy heart rate, repsp rate, bp and core temp.
Physical exercise helps to deplete levels of hormones such as cortisol, thereby boosting immunity levels.
It is any planned structured or repetitive movement produced by skeletal muscles that require energy for expenditure and aims to maintain physical health.
Positive coping strategy because it helps you mind and body cope with the stressor in a more effective manner

Question 47

Psychological benefits of physical exercise

Answer 47

Stress management tool
Positive mood ( because of endorphins released, serotonin) 
Reduces mental fatigue 
Improves alertness and concentration 
Reduces stress related anxiety 
Social support if done in a group

Question 48

Endorphins

Answer 48

Happy hormones
Group of neurotransmitters that combat negative effects of stress by producing a positive mood state.
Natural pain relief, regulate appetite, sex hormones, sleeping ability and immune health
(Released 30mins into exercising)

Question 49

Effects of excessive or compulsive exercise

Answer 49

When an individual repeatedly exercises beyond the requirements of what is considered safe
Dehydration or heat or cold elements
Muscular atrophy, shin splints, bone fractures, athritis, damage to cartilage and ligaments
Insomnia depression fatigue and anxiety
Deterioration in personal relationships

Question 50

Approach strategies

Answer 50

Practical stress management strategies that consist of behavioural or psychological responses designed to remove or diminish or change the nature of the stressor or how one thinks about it
Active strategy because of the direct awareness of the stressor followed by attempts to reduce the impact of the stressor
Directly confront or make a realistic appraisal of it. Seeking support from others goal setting etc
Considered to be the most effective, individual gains a sense of control over their situation and allows people to practise problem solving

Question 51

Problem focused strategies

Answer 51

Directly target the stressor and aim at reducing the stressor.
Seeking info about the stressor, reappraising it’s significance. Plans of action and learning new skills to cope. These directly confront the stressor and aim to reduce it
Will not work in situations where the stressor is beyond the individuals control.
They work best where the person can control the source of stress

Question 52

Emotion focused strategies

Answer 52

Approach strategies that are aimed at managing the emotional distress caused by the stressor with aims at reducing the unpleasant emotions associated with it. Such as anxiety, fear or frustration. They may make us feel better but not alleviate our sense of stress. Used in scenarios where the stressor is beyond our control (effective) and in the immediate aftermath of the stressor. Realistic option. 
Not a long term solution due to not fixing the problem they can be positive (seeking emotional support, disengaging with certain feelings, meditation) 
Negative strategies (denial, substance abuse, over sleeping)

Question 53

Avoidance strategies

Answer 53

Stress management strategies that involve trying to cognitively or behaviourly escape or avoid the stressor and the painful/threatening thoughts, feelings, memories or sensations associated with the stressor
Used when we have little control over our situation
Ineffective because they don’t encourage problem solving behaviours or support seeking behaviours
Can be counterproductive causing additional stressors (substance abuse gambling)
They do not provide people with a sense of control over their situation and are not long term strategies

Question 54

Strengths of Seles GAS model

Answer 54

Laboratory evidence of the brain,endocrine system, autonomic nervous system in the three phases of the GAS
Connection between prolonged stress and certain diseases
Exposure to prolonged stress can lead to death in rats
Greater the intensity of the stressor, the greater the physiological response

Question 55

Weaknesses of the GAS model

Answer 55

Over simplification if the biological process
Conducted on rats and can not be generalised to humans
Stress response to rats is less varied than humans
Application of this model to humans is without the key consideration of psychological and environmental factors such as perception and interpretation of the situation
Role of emotion and cognition in the stress response

Question 56

Transactional model of stress weaknesses

Answer 56

Human subjects are used in developing the model
Focused where a person has some measure of control
Transactional model between an individual and their environment
Takes into account mental and emotional factors
Appraisal can be unique to the individual