Stress Flashcards
Define stress.
The nonspecific response of the body to any demand.
Describe General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).
Consists of three stages: alert, resistance and exhaustion.
At the alert stage, cortisol and adrenaline are released. The body responds with fight or flight.
At the resistance stage, if the stressor has passed, the body returns to normal and repairs itself. If the stressor has not passed, the body adapts to live with this higher stress level. Cortisol will continue to be released. There may be outward signs such as irritability and poor concentration.
At the exhaustion stage, the body is no longer able to fight the stress effectively. Signs of exhaustion include depression and anxiety.
Describe the causes of stress.
Life events.
Work stress.
Personality type.
Describe the study by Chandola et al. (2008).
It is a longitudinal study investigating the link between workplace stress and coronary heart disease (CHD).
Sample consisted of 10,000 civil servants in London from both genders and a variety of age groups.
Findings show that work stress is a significant indicator of CHD in those under the age of 50.
Describe the study by Rahe (1970).
Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) given to 2500 male American sailors to assess the life events they had experienced in the orevious six months. During the following six months, while the sailors were on a a tour of duty, their health status was recorded. Results showed that as life change score increased, so did frequency of illness.
Describe someone with type A personality.
Somebody who is prone to competitiveness, time urgency and hostility.
Describe someone with type B personality.
Somebody who is more relaxed, patient and easy-going.
Describe the study by Friedman and Rosenman.
They conducted a longitudinal study on 3,000 men. Half were type A and the other half were type B. They were followed for 8.5 years. Results showed those with type A were twice as likely to develop CHD than those with type B, even after smoking and lifestyle factors were taken into account.
