Psychological Factors and Physical Illness

Question 1

Name and detail the 3 stages of the Stress Response Model (GAS)

Answer 1

1. Alarm (increase sympathetic activation, epinephrine release, mobilisation of glucose, increase in energy use)
2. Resistance (mobilisation of remaining energy stores, conservation of glucose)
   3 Exhaustion (collapse/damage to vital organs, exhaustion of lipids, inability to produce glucocorticoids)

Question 2

Briefly outline the Stress Stimulus model

Answer 2

Stress defined as events, assumed to affect individuals similarly.
Stressful life events associated with poor health.
Problems: Indiv. reactions, operationalisation of stressors, minor/chronic stressors missed, -ve stress without illness

Question 3

Briefly outline the Stress Transactional model

Answer 3

Stress = situation outweighs a persons adaptive/coping resources
Accounts for individual differences in response to events.

Question 4

Briefly outline the Stress and Coping model

Answer 4

Interactions between how a stressor is appraised, coped with internally and with external resources effect event outcomes, and therefore health.

Question 5

Describe how psychological factors may exacerbate illness, with respect to biological mechanisms

Answer 5

Both stress response and immune system require large amounts of energy, The body attends to the immediate danger first (stress), depriving the immune system, which leads to immunosuppression in the long term.

Question 6

Describe how psychological factors may impact illness by promoting health promoting/damaging factors

Answer 6

Substance abuse, misuse of meds, diet, PA, adherence/compliance to interventions