Stress and Coping Flashcards
What is stress?
It is used to describe how the demands of our lives seem to be becoming too great to deal with
What are the 2 components of stress?
- Stressor
2. Stress response
What is a stressor?
An event which creates demands on a person
What is a stress response?
A person’s reaction to a demand
How is a stress response influenced?
It is influenced by how a person judges the event and their capacity to react to the event effectively
Name 2 types of stress disorders
- Trauma and stressor-related disorders
2. Stress and psychophysiological disorders
Name 3 trauma and stressor-related disorders
- Acute stress disorder
2. PTSD
What is eustress?
A positive stressful experience, associated with increased motivation and acceptance of challenge
Describe the General Adaption Syndrome identified by Hans Selye
- There are 3 phases in a stress response
- Phase 1 is an alarm reaction where the body mobilizes resources and stress resistance drops slightly
- Phase 2 is resistance to stressor where the body can cope with the stressor and stress resistance increases and plateaus
- Phase 3 is exhaustion where reserves are depleted and stress resistance drops significantly
Describe the Transactional Model of Stress
- Stressors occur in the environment
- Each person has a perception filter which selects the stressors relevant
- Primary appraisal is interpretation of stressors (positive, dangerous, irrelevant)
- Dangerous stressors come under secondary appraisal (sufficient resources, insufficient resources)
- Insufficient resources lead to stress
- Coping is overcoming stress
- Reappraisal is learning from stress
When is problem-based coping used?
Used when a person feels they have control of the situation, thus can manage the source of the problem
Name 4 possible strategies of problem-based coping?
- Defining the problem
- Generating and evaluating alternative solutions
- Learning new skills to manage stressor
- Reappraising
When is emotional-based coping used?
Used when a person feels they have little control in a situation which means they cannot manage the source of the problem
Name 6 strategies used to regulate emotional distress
- Avoiding
- Distancing from the emotion
- Acceptance
- Seeking emotional support
- Selective attention
- Venting anger
What are 3 strengths of the transactional model of stress?
- Focuses on individuality of stress response
- Allows for changes to stressors over time
- Enhances and emphasises importance of stress-management strategies
What are 2 weaknesses of the transactional model of stress?
- Highly subjective
2. Debate over whether conscious appraisal is required to experience stress
Name 2 major components of the body’s physical response to stress
- Nervous system
2. Endocrine system
Describe the sympathetic response to stress
- Hypothalamus causes increased arousal in sympathetic nervous system (inc. heart rate, inc. respiration, pupil dilatation)
- Sympathetic activation prepares the body for intense motor activity
Describe the parasympathetic response to stress
- Functions under non-stressful conditions to serve regenerative, growth-promoting, energy0conserving functions
Describe the 3 components of the endocrine (HPA) axis
- Hypothalamus
- Pituitary gland
- Adrenal gland
Describe the endocrine pathway which triggers stress
- Hypothalamus triggers release of CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone)
- Activates pituitary gland which releases hormone ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)
- ACTH carried by the blood to the adrenal gland
- Adrenal gland releases stress hormones cortisol, adrenalin and noradrenalin
What is the biological explanation of stress?
Stress is a factor which disrupts homeostasis, inducing a physiologically aroused state
What 2 systems are activated during the fight or flight response?
- Autonomic Nervous System
2. Endocrine System
What is the autonomic nervous system?
An extensive network of nerve fibres connected to the CNS and all other organs of the body
What is the endocrine system?
A network of glands throughout the body which release hormones
Name 5 physical signs of stress
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Tired constantly
- Anxious or tense
- Irritable
Name 3 unhelpful thinking styles during stress
- Disqualifying the positive
- Personalisation (“my fault”)
- Emotional reasoning
What are 2 personal things which can influence a person’s behaviour in a stressful environment?
- Thoughts
2. Feelings
What are 3 feelings a person may experience during a stressful situation?
- Worry
- Anxiety
- Fear
What are 3 negative behaviours a person may exhibit as a result of stress?
- Avoidance of a particular situation
- Avoidance of interaction with others
- Avoidance of new situations
Give 3 reasons why relaxation is important
- Draws attention away from unhelpful negative thinking
- Allows the body and mind to rest
- Releases tension and reduces heart rate
Name 2 relaxation methods
- Diaphragmatic Breathing
2. Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Name 5 preventative strategies for coping with stress
- Relaxation techniques
- Active problem solving
- Rewarding yourself
- Diary writing
- Positive self-talk
