Pg3-30 Flashcards
Fight or flight syndrome
A syndrome of physical symptoms that result from an individual’s real or perceived notion that harm or danger is imminent
Define general adaptation syndrome and three stages
The general biological reaction of the body to a stressful situation, as described by Hans Selye. It occurs in three stages: the alarm reaction stage, the stage of resistance, and the stage of exhaustion.
Alarm reaction stage: during this stage,the physiological responses of the fight or flight syndrome are initiated.
Stage of resistance: the individual uses the physiological responses of the stage as a defense in the attempt to adapt to the stressor. If adaptation occurs, the third stage is prevented or delayed. Physiological symptoms may disappear.
Stage of exhaustion: this stage occurs when there is prolonged exposure to the stressor to which the body has become adjusted. The adaptive energy is depleted, and the individual can no longer draw from the resources for adaptation described in the first two stages. Diseases of adaptation (headaches, mental disorders, coronary artery disease, ulcers, colitis) May occur. Without intervention for reversal, exhaustion, and in some cases even death, ensues.
Stressor
A biological, psychological, social, or chemical factor that causes physical or emotional tension and maybe a factor in the etiology of certain illnesses.
Core concept: adaptation
Adaptation is set to occur when an individual’s physical or behavioral response to any change in his or her internal or external environment results in preservation of individual integrity or timely return to equilibrium.
What are the three concepts of stress
Stress as a biological response, stress as an environmental event, and stress as a transaction between the individual and the environment
What LCU score indicates a high level of recent life stress
500
Can stress be From something positive
Yes
Why have life changes questionnaires been criticized
They do not consider the individuals perception of the event, It fails to consider the individuals coping strategies and available support system at the time when the life change occurs
Precipitating event
A precipitating event is a stimulus arising from the internal or external environment and is perceived by the individual in a specific manner
Cognitive appraisal
And individuals evaluation of the personal significance of the event or occurrence
Cognitive response
Consists of a primary appraisal and a secondary appraisal
Three types of primary appraisal and define all
Irrelevant, benign-positive stressful
Irrelevant: when the outcome holds no significance for the individual
Benign-positives: outcome is one that is perceived as producing pleasure for the individual
Stress: appraisals include harm/loss, threat, and challenge. Harm/loss appraisals refer to damage or loss already experienced by the individual, Threatening appraisals are perceived as anticipated harms or losses, challenging appraisals are when the individual focuses on potential for gain or growth, rather then on risks associated with the event.
What happens when stress is produced in response to harm/loss, threat, or challenge?
A secondary appraisal is made by the individual
What is a secondary appraisal
An assessment of skills, resources, and knowledge that the person possesses to deal with the situation
What are predisposing factors
A variety of elements that influence how individual perceives and response to a stressful event. Types of predisposing factors include genetic influences, past experiences, existing conditions.
What are genetic factors
Circumstances of an individual’s life that are acquired through heredity. examples: family history of physical and psychological conditions, both strengths and weaknesses, and temperament – behavioral characteristics present at birth that involved with development
What are past experiences
Occurrences that result in learned patterns That can influence individuals adaptation response. Including- previous exposure to the stressor or other stressors, learned coping responses, and the degree of adaptation to previous stressors
What are existing conditions
Incorporate vulnerability that influence the adequacy of the individuals physical, psychological, and social resources for dealing with adaptive demands. Examples include current health status, motivation, developmental maturity, severity and duration of the stressor, financial and educational resources, age, existing coping strategies, and a support system of caring others.
When are coping strategies adaptive?
When they protect the individual from harm or strengthen the individuals ability to meet challenging situations.
What do adaptive responses help restore and what do they in impede?
To restore homeostasis and impede the development of diseases of adaptation
When are coping strategies considered maladaptive?
When the conflict being experienced goes under unresolved or intensifies.
What are the results of maladaptation
Energy resources become depleted as the body struggles to compensate for the chronic physiological and psychological arousal being experienced. Effect is a significant vulnerability to physical and psychological illness.
What is maladaptation
It occurs when an individual’s physical or behavioral responses to any change in his or her internal or external environment results in disruption of individual integrity or persistent disequilibrium
Name seven adaptive coping strategies
Awareness, relaxation, meditation, interpersonal communication with a caring other, problem-solving, pets, music.
What is awareness
The initial step in managing stress.. to become aware of the factors that create stress and the feelings associated with a stressful response. Stress can be controlled only when one recognizes that is that it is being experienced. As one becomes aware of stressors he or she can omit, avoid, or accept them.
How often should a person meditate to produce a lasting reduction in blood pressure and other stress – related symptoms
20 minutes once or twice daily
What could someone do if they didn’t feel they had someone they could talk to (Interpersonal communication with caring other)
Write in a journal or diary
What are the eight steps of problem-solving
- Assess the facts of the situation.
- formulate goals for resolution of the successful situation.
- study the alternatives for dealing with the situation
- determine the risks and benefits of each alternative.
- Select an alternative
- implement the alternative selected.
- Evaluate the outcome Of the alternative implemented.
- If the first choice is ineffective, select and implement the second option.
What do studies show that those who care for pet, especially dogs, are better able to cope with
Stressors of life
What did studies show about per owners who had heart attacks
They had 1/5 the death rate of those who did not have pets
What happens when individuals remain in a state of aroused response to stress for an extended period of time?
They become susceptible to diseases of adaptation, some examples of which include headaches, mental disorders, coronary artery disease, ulcers and colitis.
Name 3 limitations of this concept of stress
Failure to consider the individuals perception of the event, coping strategies, and available support systems at the time when life change occurs
Sondra, who lives in Maine, hears on the evening news that 25 people’s were killed in a tornado in south Texas. Sondra experiences no anxiety upon hearing of this stressful situation. This is most likely because Sondra:
A. Is selfish and doesn’t care what happens to other people
B. appraises the event as irrelevant to her own situation
C. Assesses that she has the skills to cope with the stressful situation
D. Uses suppression as her primary defense mechanism
B
Cindy regularly develops nausea and vomiting when she is faced with a stressful situation. Which of the following is most likely a predisposing factor to the maladaptive response by Cindy?
A.cindy inherited her mother’s nervous stomach
B. Cindy is fixed in a lower level of development
C. Cindy has never been motivated to achieve success
D. When Cindy was a child, her mother pampered her and kept her home from school when she was ill
D
When an individuals stress response is situated over a long period, the endocrine system involvement results in which of the following: A. Decreased resistance to disease B. increased libido C. Decreased blood pressure D. Increased inflammatory response
A
Management of stress is extremely important in today’s society because:
A.evolution has diminished human capability for fight or flight
B. the stressors of today tend to be ongoing, resulting in sustained response
C. We have stress disorders that did not exist in the days of our ancestors
D. One never knows when one will have to face a grizzly bear or saber-toothed tiger in today’s society
B
Nancy has just received a promotion on her job. She is very happy and excited about moving up in her company, but she has been experiencing anxiety since receiving the news. Her primary appraisal is that she most likely views the situation as which of the following? A. Benign-positive B. irrelevant C.challenging D. Threatening
C
Precipitating stressors, past experiences, existing conditions, and genetic influences are components of the transactional model of stress adaptation, and influence an individuals response to stress identify each of these conditions in the following examples: A. Precipitating stressors B. past experience C. Existing conditions D. Genetic influences
____ mr t is on a lower level of development
____ mr t’s father has diabetes mellitus
____ mr t has been fired from his last five jobs
____ mr t’s baby was stillborn last month
C, d, b, a
Mental health
The successful adaptation to stressors from the internal or external environment, evidenced by thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are age-appropriate incongruent with local and cultural norms.