Risk Factors - Stress

Question 1

Cappell and Greeley (1987)

Answer 1

People may engage in addictive behaviours in an attempt to reduce tension and anxiety. Tension creates a heightened sense of arousal, and much addictive behaviour will reduce this state

Question 2

What is everyday stress?

Answer 2

Addiction is often associated with relieving anxiety. People report that they drink, smoke, use drugs, gamble etc. as a means of coping with daily hassles such as relationship problems

Question 3

What is traumatic stress?

Answer 3

People exposed to severe stress are more vulnerable to addictions, especially children who have experienced. For example, parental loss or child abuse. PTSD is also linked to addiction

Question 4

What is childhood stress?

Answer 4

Andersen and Teicher suggest that early childhood stress can affect brain development. If this repeats in adulthood with another stress experience then it will make someone more likely to self medicate with drugs or other addictive substances

Question 5

Schneier et al (1991)

Answer 5

Alcohol dependence occurs twice as much in those with social phobias than those without

Question 6

Kobosa (1979)

Answer 6

Having ‘hardiness’ as a personality trait gives a strong defence against negative effects of stress

Question 7

Tavolucci et al (2013)

Answer 7

Students who found university stressful may develop addictive disorders