Psychological Factors in Stress Flashcards
What is the Psychological Response to Stress?
-event/stressor –> appraisal [threat, challenge, harm] –> coping
-if we cope well –> [event outcome] favorable resolution –> [emotion outcome] –> positive emotion
-if after coping we have no or unfavorable resolution –> distress [feeling worse]
After finding an unfavorable/no resolution following coping, what else [other than distress] can happen?
-meaning-based coping: reevaluate the situation (reappraisal of the goal to get a positive emotion)
-this sustains coping process (learning ways to cope effectively if it worked) [emotion-focused coping
What are the 2 kinds of appraisal according to Lazarus and Folkman?
-Primary Appraisal: irrelevant; benign or positive; stressful (harm, loss, threat, challenge)
-Secondary Appraisal: coping possibilities; control
What are the Moderators of Stress Appraisal?
-coping style
-locus of control
-personality
-social support
-beliefs
[these moderate how we evaluate it]
What is Coping?
-cognitions (thoughts) & behaviours that a person used to reduce stress and to moderate its emotional impact
What are the 2 coping styles?
-problem-focused coping: used in situations that are perceived to be controllable
-emotion-focused coping: used in situations that are perceived to be uncontrollable, or beyond the individual’s resources
What does Problem-Focused Coping include?
-active coping
-planning
-instrumental social support
-problem solving
What does Emotion-Focused Coping include?
-emotional social support
-expressing emotions
-keeping yourself busy to take your mind off the issue
-ignoring the problem in the hope that it will go away
-denial of the problem
-distracting yourself (e.g. TV, eating)
-praying for guidance and strength
-drug use for avoidance
-positive reinterpretation/growth
What are the 2 subtypes of emotion-focused coping?
-avoidance or expressing emotion
-only time avoidance is the right coping strategy is when you get a fatal diagnosis (to give our brain the time to wrap our head around it, because it overwhelms the system)
Which coping style is better?
-used to thing problem-focused was the better one, but this is not the case
-problem-focused coping makes it worse for women at risk of hereditary cancer
-emotion-focused helped men with infertility
-optimal is to use both, emotion-focused should come first then followed by problem-focused
-made them more effective problem-solvers if they dealt with the emotion first
-neither one is better, results inconclusive
What is the Vulnerable Personality?
-creative and active individuals who forget their limits and set unrealistic goals [high-achievers]
-people who believe they have to perform perfectly at all times in order to be loved and respected
-insecure individuals who always feel the need to prove themselves
What are other moderators of the appraisal?
-Support network: acts as buffer against life’s stressors.
-Internal locus of control: confidence in your ability to influence events.
-Optimistic outlook: embrace challenges and accept change
-Knowledge and preparation: more you know about, and can prepare for, a stressful situation, the easier it is to cope
What are the 3 different kinds of Psychological Responses to Stress?
-emotional
-cognitive
-behavioural
What are examples of emotional signs of stress?
-nervous, worried, or fearful
-irritated or impatient
-angry or argumentative
-tearful or sad
-hopeless or withdrawn
-feeling tense
-apathetic
-overwhelmed by responsibility
-emotionally drained
-hypersensitive to criticism
What are examples of cognitive signs of stress?
-forgetting appointments, deadlines, etc.
-misplacing items
-difficulty completing simple tasks
-trouble concentrating
-unable to get worries off your mind
-easily distracted
-indecisive
-vague feelings of confusion
-disorganized
-self-critical
-general negative attitudes or thoughts
-difficulty thinking in a logical sequence
What are examples of behavioural signs of stress?
-difficulty “unwinding” at the end of the day
-drinking or smoking more than usual
-difficulty falling asleep
-early morning awakening
-eating more or less than usual
-no time for family or friends
-no time for relaxation or exercise
What are the 3 psychological consequences of stress?
-personal
-interpersonal
-performance
What are examples of personal consequences of stress?
-severe Anxiety
-loss of interest in life’s pleasures
-depression
-emotional outbursts
-alcohol and drug abuse
-insomnia
-eating disorders
-physical health problems
What are examples of interpersonal consequences of stress?
-cynicism
-hostility
-loss of intimacy
-relationship break-up
-devalued relationships
-family conflicts
-conflicts with co-workers
What are examples of performance consequences of stress?
-decreased productivity
-deterioration in work quality
-declining work habits
-inability to meet deadlines
-work absenteeism
-complete breakdown in functioning [burnout]
What increases most severe consequences of stress?
-cumulation of stress over a long period of time
