Stress Flashcards
What are the three theories that explain stress?
Stimulus, response, transaction (person and environment)
Describe stress as a stimulus
It focuses on the environment with the events or circumstances is the cause of stress
Describe stress as a response
It focuses on the individual’s reaction to stressors, the psychological response and physiological response (these responses are known as strain)
Describe stress as a transaction
This focuses on stress as a process and looks at the relationship between the person and environment. With continuous interactions and adjustments
What is the definition of stress?
The perceived discrepancy between demands of the situation and the resources of the person that they appraise in a situation
What are the primary and secondary appraisals
Primary - Involves determining if the stressor poses a threat.
Secondary - Individual evaluation of resources or coping strategies (determine what coping strategies are available)
How do stressors impact different systems
Physiological system - SNS, endocrine, HR, breathing + muscles). Pyschological aspect - Cognitive or emotional.
Social aspect - social behaviour
What are the two best know physiological models of stress
Fight of flight (Cannon 1932) which is acute/short term. General Adaptation Syndrome (Selye 1956) which is chronic/long term
Describe features of the fight or flight response
- When homeostasis is threatened or interrupted however the response is acute/short lived. It increases physiological arousal
What does Flight or Fight restore
Homeostasis but prolonged state of high arousal is harmful to health
What are the stages of the general adaptation syndrome
Stressor which causes Alarm (mobilisation to fend off stressor) then resistance (continued fight against stressor) and then finally exhaustion (depletion of resources)
What are the two physiological responses to stress
Sympathetic activation and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) activation
Describe the sympathetic activation
Under stress the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated, catecholamines are produced (adrenaline and noradrenaline) and finally there is a quick response in seconds.
Describe the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical activation
Increased levels of corticosteroids (glucocorticoids, eg, cortisol). Raise levels of brain opioids beta endorphin and enkephalin. It is a slower response system (minuets to hours)
What physiological responses will short term stress induce?
Increased heart rate, blood pressure and metabolic rate. It can cause changes in blood flow and dilation of bronchioles
What physiological responses can long term stress induce?
Retention of water and sodium by the kidneys, increased blood volume and blood pressure. Glucose broken down for energy, increased blood sugar and decreased effectiveness of the immune system
Why do responses to stress vary?
Coping strategy, social support, beliefs and attitudes, personaility, genetics, gender, lifestyle etc.
What are some of the health effects of long term stress?
Health behaviour (risk behaviours, health compromising behaviours, cognitive & emotional), Physiological (Increased SNS stimulation, corticosteroid release)
What are the summary results of stress and Myocardial infarction (MI)
Evidence for association between phycosocial stress and increase risk of acute MI
What is the link between stress and arteries
Stress induced increase in catecholeamine and corticosteroids release can damage arteries and the heart. It can promote atherosclerosis, increase heart rate and lead to the development of hypertension and coronary heart disease
What is the immune system impaired by (in relation to stess)
Physiological response to stress (Increase catecholamine and corticosteroid releases, decreased immune cell activity). Psychological state/emotions/beliefs (depression/optimism can influence immune response). Psychosocial factors (life events, social support, exersice)
What is the implications of stress on wound healing
It decreases the rate of wound healing
What are the indirect effects of stress on health?
It can increase substance abuse, increase smoking, cause lack of sleep and exercise, poor adherence to treatment and people are more likely to engage in reckless behaviour.
