Stress, Coping, & Health

Question 1

What is stress?

Answer 1

A sensation of tension, discomfort that arises when a stressor strains coping mechanisms

Question 2

What are the 3 approaches to stress?

Answer 2

1. As a stimulus
2. As a transaction
3. As a response

Question 3

How is stress approached if thought of as a stimulus?

Answer 3

Focusing on stressful events, identifying situations and people that cause strong reactions

Question 4

How is stress approached if thought of as a transaction?

Answer 4

Examines how people interpret and cope with stressful
events

Question 5

How is stress approached if thought of as a response?

Answer 5

Assesses psychological & physical reaction to stress

Question 6

How might stress be measured

Answer 6

By the number of major life events over the past year

Question 7

What are hassles?

Answer 7

Minor annoyances that strain the ability to cope

Question 8

What is general adaptation syndrome (GAS)?

Answer 8

A pattern of response to stress

Question 9

What is an alarm reaction?

Answer 9

When the autonomic nervous system is activated and stress hormones are released

Question 10

What is resistance in the context of stress?

Answer 10

Finding ways to adapt and cope with stressors

Question 11

What is exhaustion in the context of stress?

Answer 11

The breaking down of resistance to stressors

Question 12

What does “tend and befriend” mean in the context of a stress response?

Answer 12

A person nurtures (tends) or seeks social support (befriends) when faced with a potentially dangerous situation

Question 13

Long-lasting stress reactions can result in what two different types of disorders?

Answer 13

1. Acute stress disorder
2. Post traumatic stress disorder

Question 14

What is our body’s defence against invading bacteria, viruses, etc. called?

Answer 14

Immune system

Question 15

What is psychoneuroimmunology?

Answer 15

Study of the relationship between the immune system &
central nervous system

Question 16

What is Coronary Heart Disease?

Answer 16

The complete or partial blockage of the arteries that provide oxygen to the heart, top cause of death and disability in the USA

Question 17

What are some examples of social support to cope with stress?

Answer 17

Interpersonal relationships with people, groups, and larger communities

Question 18

What is catharsis?

Answer 18

The disclosing of painful feelings

Question 19

What is crisis debriefing and why is it unhelpful?

Answer 19

A single session conducted several hours after a traumatic event designed to ward off PTSD, but rather increases risk according to research

Question 20

What is hardiness?

Answer 20

A set of attitudes where one can see life as a challenge instead of a threat

Question 21

What are some benefits to being an optimistic person?

Answer 21

More productive and focused, better immune system response, better frustration management

Question 22

What are 4 ways to promote good health?

Answer 22

1. Not smoking
2. No alcohol
3. Maintain a healthy weight
4. Exercise

Question 23

What are 4 reasons as to why change is easier said than done?

Answer 23

1. Personal inertia
2. Misestimating risk and causes of death
3. Feeling powerless to change
4. Prevention programs attempt to stop unhealthy habits before they develop

Question 24

What is biofeedback?

Answer 24

Feedback by a device that provides almost an
immediate output of a biological function, such as heart rate

Question 25

What are 3 benefits to meditation?

Answer 25

1. Heightened creativity, empathy, self-esteem
2. Decreased anxiety and depression
3. Increased blood flow to brain and immune function