Stress Flashcards

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0
Q

What is the Law of Arousal?

A

State of being reactive to stimuli

U-shaped relationship between arousal & performance (some arousal needed to provide motivation to change/learn)

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1
Q

Describe the fight or flight response. Outline the organs involved in initiating this response.

A

Cannon

Catecholamines trigger short term changes to mobilise for activity

Amygdala -> hypothalamus -> pituitary -> adrenal gland -> cortisol & adrenaline

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2
Q

What is General Adaptation Syndrome?

A

Selye

Long term stress response is damaging (hunter-gatherers adapted to acute stresses, not chronic stresses)

Alarm ——————-> Resistance ————> Exhaustion
(fight/flight response) (adaptation to stressor) (depletion of resources)

Causes endocrine & immune damage

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3
Q

How can stress be measured?

A

Holmes & Rahe: Stressful Life Events = life events requiring adaptation rated by stress e.g. divorce, bereavement, moving house/job

Kanner et. al: Daily Hassles & Uplifts = e.g. losing keys, missing bus
(increased daily stress -> less likely to cope with life events)

Criticisms: different individuals react to stress differently

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4
Q

What are the different ways in which stress can be managed?

A

PHYSICAL e.g. relaxation, exercise
COGNITIVE e.g. cognitive restructuring, hypothesis testing
BEHAVIOURAL e.g. time-management, assertiveness
EMOTIONAL e.g. counselling, emotional disclosure, social support
NON-COGNITIVE e.g. medication

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5
Q

Describe the transactional model of stress.

A

(control & social support)
DEMANDS RESOURCES
| |
\ /
\ /
APPRAISAL (resources) ————————> STRESS RESPONSE

Demands: life events, daily hassles, chronic stressors
Resources: personality, social support, coping skills

PRIMARY APPRAISAL: event a threat?
SECONDARY APPRAISAL: resources/skills to cope?
REAPPRAISAL: reconsider the situation once have tried to cope with it

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6
Q

Give some examples of the impact stress has on health.

A

PHYSICAL: damage to cardiovascular system (prolonged/intense stress —-> ischaemia/atherosclerosis —–> cardiac death)

IMMUNE: short/medium term stress = increases immune system
long term stress = reduces immune system (inflammation & cortisol)
- factor in common cold, UTIs, herpes, autoimmune, cancer, AIDS

LIFESTYLE: increased stress -> increase in unhealthy behaviour (maladaptive coping mechanism)

MENTAL HEALTH (Beck): prone to cognitive distortions (e.g. overgeneralisation, catastrophising, personalisation, rumination), lack of control —-> learned helplessness (Seligman & drug experiment)

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7
Q

Give some examples of illness-related and other life events which require coping.

A

Illness-related:

  • diagnosis (emotional response)
  • physical (pain, limited mobility, other symptoms)
  • hospitalisation (loss of autonomy/privacy/status)
  • adjustment (biographical disruption, change in identity, chronic illness, acknowledgement of mortality)
  • socioeconomic (financial, social, relationships)

Other life-events:

  • family (divorce, bereavement)
  • personal (imprisonment, achievement)
  • workplace (dismissal)
  • financial (change in finances)
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8
Q

Contrast coping styles.

A

Emotion-focused:
Behavioural = do something e.g. distraction, alcohol
Cognitive = change thinking (denial)

Problem-focused:
Behavioural = reduce demands
Cognitive = expand resources e.g. motorised wheelchair

note: active coping associated with better adjustment but chronically ill patients tend to report more passive coping strategies

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9
Q

How can coping be aided?

A

Increase/mobilise social support (community resources, social services, etc.)

Increase personal control (pain management, choices, cognitive control)

Prepare for stressful events to reduce ambiguity & uncertainty (effective communication, peer contact, responsive to individual preferences, consider special cases)

Stress management techniques

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