Sources Of Stress Flashcards
Stressor
Stimuli that cause or produce stress and challenge our ability to cope
Stress
A state of physiological and psychological arousal produced by internal or external stressors that are perceived by the individual as challenging or exceeding their ability or resources to cope.
Stress reaction
The PHYSIOLOGICAL and PSYCHOLOGICAL result of STRESS
Sources of stress:
Daily pressures, life events, acculturative, major, catastrophe
Daily pressure
MINOR problems of EVERYDAY living that are irritants that ANNOY or BOTHER us and can make us upset or angry
Accumulation can lead to flu, cold, mood disturbances
Eg) car broke down, lose your keys
Life event
A CHANGE that forces us to ADAPT to NEW circumstances
Have immediate and long term consequences, subjective
Eg) leaving home/school, changing relationships
Acculturative stress
The stress people experience in trying to ADAPT to a NEW CULTURE when living it it for a CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME
Acculturation involves: adopting new values, customs and language preferences.
Factors that influence if stress is experienced: acceptance of new culture, familiarity of language, individual attitudes , age education and religion
eg) international students, immigrants or refugees
Major stressor
An event that is EXTRAORDINARILY STRESSFUL or DISTURBING for ALMOST EVERYONE that experiences it.
One off event or ongoing
Usually life threatening or significant threat to individual’s physiological or psychological well being
Eg) acts of violence, natural disasters
Catastrophe
A UNPREDICTABLE even that causes WIDESPREAD DAMAGE or SUFFERING
usually occurs suddenly, affects many people, out of their control
Affects risk of health problems, experience common stress reactions immediately, can develop chronic stress related symptoms
Eg) war, earthquake, tsunami
Eustress
A POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSE to a STRESSOR as indicated by the presence of POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL STATES
eg) enthusiastic, excited, active, alert
Human body does not recognise the distinction between eustress and distress- the same physiological changes occur. Physiological factors determine if a situation is eustressful or distressful
Distress
A NEGATIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSE to a STRESSOR as indicated by the presence of NEGATIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL STATES.
Eg) anger, anxiety, nervousness, irritability or tension
Internal stressor
Originated within the individual eg) physical pain, illness, personal problem causing concern
External stressor
Originates outside the individual, from situations/events in the environment eg) too much homework, overcrowded train
