Stress and Positive Psychological Growth Flashcards
POSITIVE PSCYHOLOGICAL GROWTH
- successfully coped with the trauma (e.g., with adequate social support)
- frequently reflect on the traumatizing event + relate it to some positive outcomes
SIX DOMAINS OF POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH
i. new possibilities
ii. relating to others
iii. personal strength
iv. appreciation of life
v. spiritual change
vi. life priority change
DEFINING STRESS
A lack of fit between perceived demands and perceived ability to cope with the demands
Perceived resources < perceived demands
STRESS IS SUBJECTIVE
- May depend on how we appraise events
- Primary appraisal: initial evaluation of the relevance, level of threat, and degree of stress the event brings
- Secondary appraisal: an evaluation of our ability to cope
ACUTE STRESSORS
threatening events that have a relatively short duration and a clear endpoint
(e.g. job interview)
CHRONIC STRESSORS
threatening events that have a relatively long duration and no readily apparent time limit
(e.g. relationship conflicts, financial problems, chronic diseases, heavy workload)
AMBIENT STRESS
chronic negative conditions embedded in the environment
(e.g. excessive noise, traffic, pollution, crowding, poverty)
IN RICH COUNTRIES, PEOPLE STRUGGLE TO GET THESE:
Self-actualization and esteem
IN POOR COUNTRIES, PEOPLE STRUGGLE TO GET THESE:
safety and physiological
LIFE CHANGES
any noticeable alterations in ones’ living circumstances that require readjustment
both positive + negative life changes can be stressful
SOCIAL READJUSTMENT RATING SCALE (SRRS)
measures stress caused by major life stressors
STRESS RESPONSES OCCUR AT THREE LEVELS
- emotional responses
- physiological responses
- behavioral responses
MODERATING VARIABLES INFLUENCING STRESS TOLERANCE:
social support, hardiness, optimism
