stress and health

Question 1

what is the ‘stress as a stimulus’ theory i.e) life events theory

Answer 1

focuses on external environment - objective and measurable - catastrophic events like earthquakes, floods, or plane crashes - major life events like losing one’s job, starting a new job, getting married/divorced etc. every event given a LCU rating (life change unit) - Mild= 150-199 Moderate = 200-299 Major= 300+

Question 2

what are the limitations of the life events theory?

Answer 2

cause or a consequence? age bias in experience of major life events crude measure - fails to address the moderators of stress i.e) personality/coping

Question 3

Describe the ‘stress as a transaction’ theory

Answer 3

3 key interacting contributing factors

1. the external or internal event (stressor) environment
2. individual’s characteristics and appraisals
3. the internal or external resources a person has available

stress arises when there is amismatch between our appraisals of demands and of our abilities and coping resources

primary appraisal processes = 1) does it cause harm/loss? 2) does it threaten future damage? 3) does it set a challenge?

secondary appraisal processes = 1) internal resources? 2) external resources like money/social support?

Question 4

What factors are associated with stress appraisals?

Answer 4

• proximity - imminent events ?
• unexpected or unpredictable - for life stage, redundancy
• uncontrollable - low self-control
• high amounts of life change- losing identity, caregiving, childbirth, relocation
• ambiguous - personal role, new job/medical intervention
• familiarity, confidence - greater control, self-efficacy- role of training

Question 5

Describe the ‘stress as a response’ model

Answer 5

• emotional response = annoyance, anger, anxiety etc
• physiological response = autonomic arousal, hormonal fluctuations
• behavioral response = coping efforts like blaming on others, seeking help, releasing emotions

Question 6

What is ‘coping’ ?

Answer 6

Anything we do to reduce or overcome stress

specific efforts, behavioural/cognitive, used to master, tolerate, reduce or minimize stressful events

Question 7

What are the 5 coping strategies of chronic illness?

Answer 7

1. normalising - acknowledges symptoms but redefines them as normal to neutralise threat
2. denial - can be positive or negative
3. avoidance - don’t deny but avoid situations that make symptoms worse or may cause problems
4. resignation - illness becomes all consuming - can be adaptive or maladaptive
5. accommodation - acknowledges and deals with the problems

Question 8

what are the physiological stress responses to stress?

Answer 8

endocrine response = slow - activation of hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical system - releases CRH and CRF - effects every major organ system

• increases blood flow
• decreases immune function
• inflammation of damaged tissue
• decrease glucose and fat reuptake
• increased vigilance - attention and memory

autonomic response = fast - activation of the sympathetic nervous system

releases catecholamines - adrenaline and noradrenalin - mobilises body for action

• dry mouth,
• rapid breathing
• increased heart rate
• increased blood glucose level
• dilation of skeletal muscle blood vessels
• decreased nonessential functions

Question 9

What are practical stress management tips?

Answer 9

• sleep
• decrease caffeine intake
• regular exercise
• timeout/pacing and maintaining a good work-life balance
• ventilation/support system
• changing triggers
• behavioural techniques
• relaxation techniques
• cognitive techniques - maintain realistic expectations
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