Stress

Question 1

What are the three theories that explain stress?

Answer 1

Stimulus, response, transaction (person and environment)

Question 2

Describe stress as a stimulus

Answer 2

It focuses on the environment with the events or circumstances is the cause of stress

Question 3

Describe stress as a response

Answer 3

It focuses on the individual’s reaction to stressors, the psychological response and physiological response (these responses are known as strain)

Question 4

Describe stress as a transaction

Answer 4

This focuses on stress as a process and looks at the relationship between the person and environment. With continuous interactions and adjustments

Question 5

What is the definition of stress?

Answer 5

The perceived discrepancy between demands of the situation and the resources of the person that they appraise in a situation

Question 6

What are the primary and secondary appraisals

Answer 6

Primary - Involves determining if the stressor poses a threat.
Secondary - Individual evaluation of resources or coping strategies (determine what coping strategies are available)

Question 7

How do stressors impact different systems

Answer 7

Physiological system - SNS, endocrine, HR, breathing + muscles). Pyschological aspect - Cognitive or emotional.
Social aspect - social behaviour

Question 8

What are the two best know physiological models of stress

Answer 8

Fight of flight (Cannon 1932) which is acute/short term. General Adaptation Syndrome (Selye 1956) which is chronic/long term

Question 9

Describe features of the fight or flight response

Answer 9

• When homeostasis is threatened or interrupted however the response is acute/short lived. It increases physiological arousal

Question 10

What does Flight or Fight restore

Answer 10

Homeostasis but prolonged state of high arousal is harmful to health

Question 11

What are the stages of the general adaptation syndrome

Answer 11

Stressor which causes Alarm (mobilisation to fend off stressor) then resistance (continued fight against stressor) and then finally exhaustion (depletion of resources)

Question 12

What are the two physiological responses to stress

Answer 12

Sympathetic activation and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) activation

Question 13

Describe the sympathetic activation

Answer 13

Under stress the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated, catecholamines are produced (adrenaline and noradrenaline) and finally there is a quick response in seconds.

Question 14

Describe the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical activation

Answer 14

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)

Question 15

What physiological responses will short term stress induce?

Answer 15

Increased heart rate, blood pressure and metabolic rate. It can cause changes in blood flow and dilation of bronchioles

Question 16

What physiological responses can long term stress induce?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Why do responses to stress vary?

Answer 17

Coping strategy, social support, beliefs and attitudes, personaility, genetics, gender, lifestyle etc.

Question 18

What are some of the health effects of long term stress?

Answer 18

Health behaviour (risk behaviours, health compromising behaviours, cognitive & emotional), Physiological (Increased SNS stimulation, corticosteroid release)

Question 19

What are the summary results of stress and Myocardial infarction (MI)

Answer 19

Evidence for association between phycosocial stress and increase risk of acute MI

Question 20

What is the link between stress and arteries

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What is the immune system impaired by (in relation to stess)

Answer 21

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)

Question 22

What is the implications of stress on wound healing

Answer 22

It decreases the rate of wound healing

Question 23

What are the indirect effects of stress on health?

Answer 23

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.