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Psych 102 > Stress > Flashcards

Stress Flashcards

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1
Q

What is Behavioural Medicine?

A

Psychological approach combined with traditional medical knowledge
> Doctors have admitted that there is a clear relationship between mind and body (Descartes - Dualism).
> Relationship b/w stress and health is SO consistent/ reliable, we should accept most findings – undeniable.

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2
Q

Correlation b/w Personality and Stress?

A

Those with Neuroticism have been found to be highly correlated w/ anxiety
> see more things as stressful
> correlated w/ many disorders - anxiety, depression, hostility
> Frequent/ constant anxiety
> Constant readiness for fight or flight

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3
Q

What is a STRESSOR?

A

Any stimulus (usually external) that is subjectively perceived as aversive or threatening and requires some sort of action/ reaction on your part.

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4
Q

2 Physiological Pathways of Stress?

A

> Hypothalamus signals Automatic Nervous System
or
Hypothalamus signals Pituitary Gland

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5
Q

Pathway of Stress Signals through the Hypothalamus and the ANS?

A

> Threat is perceived by the Hypothalamus and it signals (electrochemical) the ANS
ANS signals the inside of adrenals to release Catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine)

RESULTS
> Blood flow to mscs increases, mscs release glucose for energy, HR/ BP increases = a stress reaction so body is prepared for action - fight or flight (get away from danger)

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6
Q

Pathway of Stress Signals through the Hypothalamus and the Pituitary Gland

A

> Threat is perceived by Hypothalamus and it signals the Pituitary Gland
Pituitary releases ACTH
ACTH activates outer side of adrenal glands to release Corticosteroids.

RESULTS
> Similar to ANS activity
> Blood flow increases, increased glucose, protein, fat breakdown for energy in order to fight or flee
> = Increased Behavioural Responsiveness to stressor

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7
Q

The importance of Corticosteroids (Cortisol)?

A

Necessary and critical for dealing w/ stress

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8
Q

Physiological results of Prolonged Stress?

A

> Reduces Function of Adrenals/ Pituitary/ Hippocampus
Sustained/ Prolonged exposure to stress (abuse, war, torture) can cause shrinkage/ damage to brain tissue
Prolonged Stress in monkeys revealed damage/ shrinkage of the hippocampus (learning/ memory)
The monkeys end up dying from stress if they are on the bottom of the social hierarchy
Top 25% of high anxiety people are more likely to have cancerous pre-malignancies.
Increased/ Chronic high BP
organ damage
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
Impaired immune response - leading to more colds/ sickness
Increased inflammation
Heart attacks/ strokes
Those who repress stressful things had very high blood Cortisol levels

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9
Q

Student Stress Scale (4 Perceived Stressors)?

A

CONFLICT
- Conflict b/w 2 incompatible sources of action
FRUSTRATION
- When you want something that you can’t have
- Feel deprived of something you’re used to (break up)
PRESSURE
- From expectations/ demands of others
- Unrealistically high expectations set on oneself
CHANGE
- Major or minor event that involves readjustment

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10
Q

Delongis’ Hassles and Uplifts Scale

A

Scale from 0-3 on whether event is a hassle or uplift
> Hassles are a better predictor of physiological/ psych problems.
> More hassles + more intense = poorer health
> Family = biggest hassle and uplift
> Stress sweat smells worse than active sweat

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11
Q

Are the same things stressful to everyone?

A

No there are big individual differences in what is perceived as stress inducing for most situations (it’s in the eye of the beholder).

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12
Q

Lazaras’ Stress Appraisal Model (SAM)?

A

A cognitive model to assess individual differences in what is seen as stressful

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13
Q

3 Interrelated Processes of Appraisal?

A

1) Primary Appraisal
- first take now whether situation is stressful (is it threatening or will it cause harm?)

2) Secondary Appraisal
- What kind of response does situation call for (many options)

3) Coping
- Actual effort to deal w/ stressful situation - find best way to handle threat.

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14
Q

Correlation between a Neurotic Personality and Stress?

A

Those high in NEUROTICISM
> Appraise more things as stressful
> One main trait is anxiety
> Highly emotionally reactive - upset more frequently/ with more intensity
> More susceptible to physiological/ psych DOs
> Correlation b/w personality/ behaviour (obesity, smoking, bad diet) and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).

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15
Q

Friedman & Rosenman study on stress and heart health?

A

> First study on personality and stress affecting heart health
Assessed cholesterol and blood clotting speed in tax accountants
Healthy levels most of the year
During tax season, blood clotting speed decreased and cholesterol raised to dangerous levels.
Levels returned to normal after tax season
External stress can predict heart attack risk

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16
Q

Type A vs Temperament test results?

A

Group A
- hostile, reactive, rushed

Group B
- relaxed, unhurried, laidback

By end of study 10% of people had heart attacks and 69% of the were type A

Type A personality…
- unhealthy lifestyle (smoke/drink/ eat)
- Very physiologically activated when stressed > lots of hormones, high BP/ HR
- Toxic, angry, reactive

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17
Q

Hostility development/ impact on life?

A

> Relatively stable emotional/ behavioural tendencies related to cynicism and distrust in others
Intense anger expression
Strongly related to CHD and other ailments
Family environment is relevant
Home life was difficult (parents were punitive, hostile, rejecting, over-protective)

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18
Q

Relationship between Hostility and early demise?

A

Students who were hostile/ cynical were 5x more likely to die by middle age.

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19
Q

Cohen study on stress and immune function?

A

> Strong relationship b/w stress and upper respiratory infection
Low on positive emotions = 3x more likely to get cold and complain more about the cold
Those most mad from a fight with spouse had more decreased immune function
Death of spouse led to decreased immune function

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20
Q

3 Behavioural strategies to Cope w/ Stress?

A

> Problem Focused - change and/ or deal with the source of stress
- planning
- active coping/ problem solving
- exercise restraint
- assertive confrontation
- Best to use when there is a clear solution

> Emotion Focused - Centred on emotional reaction, make yourself feel better about the situation.
- acceptance
- denial
- relaxation techniques
- escape/ avoidance
- control feelings
- Only option to use when there isn’t a clear solution

> Seek Social Support
- help/ guidance
- emotional support
- affirmation of worth
- tangible aid

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20
Q

Relationship b/w Extraversion and Immune Function?

A

Cohen
> High sociability was associated w/ immunity to colds
> Extraversion related to many positive affects.

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21
Q

Negative Coping Mechanisms?

A
  • Aggression
  • Excessive Consummatory Behaviour ( if you are already predisposed then those tendencies are exacerbated during stress)
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22
Q

Positive Coping Mechanisms?

A
  • Social Support
  • Avoid health impairing behaviour
  • Strong social/ family/ community bonds
  • Those in religious communities tend to live longer (drink/ smoke less + have more community)
  • Have people to talk through stressful situations with.

Cohen > Bigger/ more diverse Social Support Network = protective element - decreased colds

23
Q

What are Defence Mechanisms?

A

Typically unconsciously deployed methods to make reality easier to cope with

24
Q

Types of Defence Mechanisms?

A

> Displacement - take anger out on something/ someone else (kicking the dog syndrome)
Talking w/ others about problems/ stressors
Writing out what is bothering you (3x/ week for 20min)

25
Q

Effects of Optimism on stress?

A
  • Predicts coping well w/ stress
  • Positive outlook on life
  • High levels of subjective wellbeing during stress - correlated w/ physical health
  • Lower BP during/ in response to stress
  • Fewer aches/ pains
26
Q

Effects of Pessimism on Stress?

A
  • Better gamblers (more realistic/ conservative)
  • Deny/ avoid the fact that the stressful situation exists.
27
Q

What is the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)

A
  • A life event scale to determine how much stress one has experienced
  • Says that any life event that changes how we live our day-to-day lives causes stress
28
Q

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?

A

Physiological Response Pattern to strong and prolonged Stressors
> Alarm Reaction - sudden activation of sympathetic nervous system - hormone release

> Resistance - continual use of resources (hormones, glucose) to maintain arousal in presence of stressor - can last a while

> Exhaustion - Body resources are depleted, glands/ brain/ heart can’t function at that high level of arousal anymore - lose ability to function normally/ begin to shut down (heart attacks etc.)

29
Q

Vulnerability Factors?

A

Increase susceptibility to stressors
- lack of social support network
- poor coping mechanisms
- anxiety/ pessimism

30
Q

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A

> victims of extreme stress/ trauma
Severe anxiety, physiological arousal distress
Reliving of the events (dreams/ flashbacks)
Emotional numbing
Survivor guilt
Self-destructive behaviour
Show exaggerated Amygdala activation in response to threat

31
Q

Physiological Effects of High Cortisol Levels?

A
  • Due to prolonged exposure to stress
    > Shrinkage/ deterioration of the hippocampus
    > Memory impairment
32
Q

Protective Factors?

A

Environmental or personal resources that help people cope more effectively w/ stressful events
- Social support
- + coping skills
- Personality (optimism)

33
Q

Social Support and Immune Function?

A

Those with more social support were found to have a better/ enhanced immune response to antigens during times of stress than those with low social support

34
Q

Online vs In-person social support effects after stressful event?

A

Those who received in person support had higher positive affect and lower negative affect than those who were supported through text or who had no support

35
Q

Hardiness and its 3 C’s?

A
  • a stress protective factor
  • Associated w/ better emotional, physiological & psych health

> Commitment - to work, family, community
Control - over outcomes
Challenge - appraise demands of situations as challenges/ opportunities rather than as threats

Control is most important in buffering stress

36
Q

Hardiness vs Resilience?

A

Hardiness = characteristics to cope w/ stress

Resilience = unexpectedly good recovery or positive growth following stress

37
Q

What is Coping Self-Efficacy?

A

The conviction that we can perform the behaviours necessary to cope successfully

38
Q

The effect of stress on sleep?

A

> Increases the time needed to fall asleep
Increases wake ups during night

> Sleep-Stress Spiral = stress reduces sleep quality which increases stress and so on

39
Q

4 Steps in the Appraisal Process of a Situation?

A

Cognitive process of appraisal
- Determines whether a life event becomes a stressor

1) Primary appraisal - appraise the demands of the situation

2) Secondary Appraisal - appraise the resources available to cope

3) Judgments of what the Consequences of the situation could be

4) Appraisal of the Personal Meaning - what the outcome might imply about us.

40
Q

What are the 3 focus points of Mindfulness as a coping strategy?

A

Paying Attention in a particular way
- On purpose
- In the present moment
- Non-judgementally

Reduces stress, regulates emotion, improves health

41
Q

Self-medication

A

Taking unprescribed drugs to alleviate stress/ anxiety

42
Q

Gender and Cultural affects on Coping Strategies?

A

Men > use more problem focused strategies

Women > use more emotion focused and social support strategies

Individualistic cultures > use problem focused

Collectivists cultures > use emotion focused and social support strategies

43
Q

What is Health Psych?

A

Studies psych and behavioural factors in the prevention and treatment of illness and the maintenance of health

44
Q

6 stages of the Transtheoretical Model of Change?

A

1) Pre-contemplation - problem unrecognized or unacknowledged

2) Contemplation - recognize problem, contemplate change

3) Preparation - prepare to try and change behaviour

4) Action - implement change strategies

5) Maintenance - behaviour change is being maintained - don’t give up upon relapse!

6) Termination - permanent change, no maintenance required

45
Q

Do people need the same psych interventions through each stage of the Transtheoretical Model?

A

No
- each stage is different
- must apply stage matched interventions

45
Q

Facts about sedentary Canadian/ PA guidelines?

A

1/3 of 18-39 y/o meet PA guidelines of
- 150 mins/ week
- average is 31 mins/ week
- Aerobic exercise 3x/ week, at 60-85% of max HR for 20-60mins = many health benefits

46
Q

Drop out rates for exercise programs?

A

50% within 6 months

47
Q

Leading causes of death?

A

Cancer, CVD, Covid, accidents, stroke, respiratory diseases, diabetes

48
Q

Annual cost of substance use in Canada?

A

$38.4 billion

49
Q

Most successful and cost-effective method in reducing substance abuse?

A

Cognitive-behavioural approaches

50
Q

What is Motivational Interviewing?

A

Lead people to their own conclusions by asking questions that focus on discrepancies between the current state of affairs and individuals’ ideal self-images, desired behaviours, and desired outcomes

51
Q

What is the Abstinence Violation Effect?

A

A lapse occurs and then person becomes upset and self-blaming and starts to feel like because they failed they can never succeed and they become hopeless and give up trying to change/ give up substance

52
Q

What is Harm reduction?

A

prevention strategy that is designed not to eliminate a behaviour, but rather to reduce the harmful effects of a behaviour when it occurs

53
Q

What is Hedonic well being?

A

Includes high levels of positive affect and low levels of negative affect.

54
Q

What is Eudaimonic well-being

A

It is a feeling of meaning and purpose in life, often derived from helping others.

55
Q
A

Psych 102 (5 decks)

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