Stress and Health

Question 1

Definition of Stress

Answer 1

A state brought on by any situation that threatens or appears to threaten a person’s sense of well-being

Question 2

Stressor

Answer 2

A situation that triggers a stress response

Question 3

Difference between acute stressor and chronic stressor

Answer 3

Acute-Short term stressor that has a clear endpoint

Chronic-Long term stressor that often lacks a definite endpoint

Question 4

Major Types of Stress: Frustration

Answer 4

An emotion experienced when the pursuit of a goal is thwarted, acute or chronic stress can cause this.

Question 5

Major Types of Stress: Pressure

Answer 5

The expectation or demand that someone act in a certain way. Experienced internally whether demand is from self or others.

Question 6

Major Types of Stress: Conflict

Answer 6

Discomfort brought about by two or more goals or impulses that are perceived as incompatible.

Question 7

Approach-Approach Conflict (+/+)

Answer 7

When you have to choose between two desirable things. Least stressful, since both choices have positive outcomes.

Question 8

Approach-Avoidance Conflict (+/-)

Answer 8

When the decision to pursue a good opportunity comes at an undesirable cost. Second most stressful.

Question 9

Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict (-/-)

Answer 9

When you have to decide between two undesirable things. Most stressful.

Question 10

Micro-stressors

Answer 10

Everyday annoyances that contribute to higher stress levels. Cumulative effect when combined with other stressors over time. Include minor (traffic jams, spilled coffee while rushing), and major (relationship and financial issues,time pressure)

Question 11

How does Holmes and Rahe’s Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) and life change units weigh stress?

Answer 11

Score of under 150= little stress. 150-199= mild stress. 200-299= moderate stress. 300+= major stress.

Question 12

Criticisms of the SRRS

Answer 12

Stress from good things also happen, validity across populations- weights based on Caucasians primarily, despite evidence that others weight stresses differently.

Question 13

Cognitive Response to Stress: Perception

Answer 13

We don’t experience stress unless we perceive something as stressful.

Question 14

Richard Lazarus’ Cognitive-mediational theory of stress

Answer 14

Primary Appraisal-The extent of the danger or challenge, loss or harm.
Secondary Appraisal-Our ability to cope and respond to the stressor (perception of control)
Stress Response- Outcome of the appraisal process

Question 15

Physiological Response- Activation of the sympathetic nervous system

Answer 15

Takes only seconds to activate, nerves activate adrenal glands which release epinephrine/norepinephrine, rise in heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, muscle tension. Decrease in digestion, blood vessel constriction.

Question 16

Physiological Response- Activation of HPA-Axis

Answer 16

Takes minutes to activate, hypothalamus activates the pit gland which releases ACTH which activates outer adrenal glands to release cortisol. Increase in blood sugar and metabolism.

Question 17

Stress and Negative Emotions

Answer 17

Short term- people with more daily stress experience more negative emotions during the day.
Long term- people with more life stress experience more negative emotion generally.

Question 18

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) Discovery

Answer 18

Hans Selye, describes animal reactions to various stressors, and labels common response “stress.” Regardless of the source of stress, the stress response is always the same.

Question 19

3 stage response system of GAS

Answer 19

1. Alarm: Fight or flight response, where body attempts to respond to the stressor
2. Resistance: Higher state of arousal compared to normal, but lower than the alarm stage, occurs if stressor continues
3. Exhaustion: If stressor continues, the body cannot adapt, and energy is depleted, resulting in inability to resist the stress further.

Question 20

Behavioural Response: Coping

Answer 20

Active efforts to master, reduce, or tolerate demands of stress. Can be both adaptive and maladaptive.

Question 21

Problem focused vs emotion focused coping

Answer 21

Problem: Realistic assesment of stress and resources,r recognizing and regulating disruptive emotions, dealing with source of stress directly.
Emotion: Cognitive Reappraisal- thinking about stressor in a different way that is less stressful. Leaning into emotion: Thinking about emotional response as manifestation of a deeper issue.

Question 22

Behavioural Response: Giving up and Blaming Oneself

Answer 22

Learned helplessnes-passivity produced by unavoidable exposure to negative events.
Catastrophic thinking- self defeating and unrealistic self-criticality.

Question 23

`Behavioural Response: Lashing out

Answer 23

Angry outbursts as a vent for pent up frustration, research does not support its cathartic effect.

Question 24

Behavioural Response: Self Indulgence

Answer 24

Coping with stress through comforting indulgences. Successful if stressor is transient and simple, but not if stressor is systemic and complex.

Question 25

Behavioural Response: Defensive Coping

Answer 25

Conscious/unconscious uses of defense mechanisms. Research suggests that defense mechanisms largely avoid the problem, but can help in small doses.

Question 26

Distress vs Eustress

Answer 26

Distress-Stress caused by unpleasant situations or circumstances
Eustress-Optimal level of stress needed to promote physical and mental health.

Question 27

Inoculation

Answer 27

Exposing oneself to relatively low levels of stress in a controlled situation in order to improve performance in more stressful situations.

Question 28

Too much stress: Burnout

Answer 28

Studied in workplace, stems from ongoing imbalance between resources and demands. Involves physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and lowered self-efficacy. Results in physical illness, absenteeism, decreased committment, reduced productivity.

Question 29

Coronary Heart Disease Study

Answer 29

Friedman and Rosenman divided 3000+ men by personality type (A vs B), and followed them for 8 years. Type A’s seen to be 2X more liekly to have heart attacks, replicated with female samples.

Question 30

Psychoneuroimmunology

Answer 30

Study of stress, immune system, and health. Stress results in decreased lymphocytes and inflammation.

Question 31

Biochemical Activity

Answer 31

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine increase immune system functionality during low stress, but decrease functioning during high stress. Cortisol increases production of proteins, good for fighting infection in the short term, but causes inflammation during longer term.