Risk Factor - Stress

Question 1

Outline Stress as a risk factor (3 points)

Answer 1

• ‘Tension-reduction hypothesis’ - People may engage in addictive behaviours in an attempt to reduce tension & anxiety
• Everyday Stress: People report that they drink, smoke & use drugs as a means of coping with daily hassles E.G. R/ship problems, money worries & workplace stress
• Traumatic Stress: People exposed to severe stress are more vulnerable to addiction E.G. parental loss or child abuse. Driessen et al. (2008) found 30% of drug addicts & 15% of alcoholics suffered from PTSD

Question 2

(Strength) Outline Buckley’s research (2 points)

Answer 2

• Found that 47% of patients with SZ have a substance related disorder
• We could presume the anxiety & stress from SZ contributes to addiction (HAVING SZ WOULD BE HIGHLY STRESSFUL)

Question 3

(Weakness) Explain the Cause & Effect issue with Stress as a risk factor (2 points)

Answer 3

• Although evidence links stress & addiction, research is largely retrospective with no measurements from before
• Cannot assume stress CAUSES addiction - simply correlational at best

Question 4

(Strength) Outline Tavolacci et al’s (2013) research (2 points)

Answer 4

• Suggested that students who found uni to be stressful may develop addictive behaviour
• Found high perception of stress was related to smoking regularly, alcohol abuse & risk of internet addiction

Question 5

Weakness Outline Kobasa’s (1979) research (2 points)

Answer 5

• Suggested those with ’hardiness’ can create a protective factor against stress & addiction
• Hardiness: High control, commitment, & challenge