Stress, Coping, & Health Flashcards
What is stress?
A sensation of tension, discomfort that arises when a stressor strains coping mechanisms
What are the 3 approaches to stress?
- As a stimulus
- As a transaction
- As a response
How is stress approached if thought of as a stimulus?
Focusing on stressful events, identifying situations and people that cause strong reactions
How is stress approached if thought of as a transaction?
Examines how people interpret and cope with stressful
events
How is stress approached if thought of as a response?
Assesses psychological & physical reaction to stress
How might stress be measured
By the number of major life events over the past year
What are hassles?
Minor annoyances that strain the ability to cope
What is general adaptation syndrome (GAS)?
A pattern of response to stress
What is an alarm reaction?
When the autonomic nervous system is activated and stress hormones are released
What is resistance in the context of stress?
Finding ways to adapt and cope with stressors
What is exhaustion in the context of stress?
The breaking down of resistance to stressors
What does “tend and befriend” mean in the context of a stress response?
A person nurtures (tends) or seeks social support (befriends) when faced with a potentially dangerous situation
Long-lasting stress reactions can result in what two different types of disorders?
- Acute stress disorder
- Post traumatic stress disorder
What is our body’s defence against invading bacteria, viruses, etc. called?
Immune system
What is psychoneuroimmunology?
Study of the relationship between the immune system &
central nervous system
What is Coronary Heart Disease?
The complete or partial blockage of the arteries that provide oxygen to the heart, top cause of death and disability in the USA
What are some examples of social support to cope with stress?
Interpersonal relationships with people, groups, and larger communities
What is catharsis?
The disclosing of painful feelings
What is crisis debriefing and why is it unhelpful?
A single session conducted several hours after a traumatic event designed to ward off PTSD, but rather increases risk according to research
What is hardiness?
A set of attitudes where one can see life as a challenge instead of a threat
What are some benefits to being an optimistic person?
More productive and focused, better immune system response, better frustration management
What are 4 ways to promote good health?
- Not smoking
- No alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise
What are 4 reasons as to why change is easier said than done?
- Personal inertia
- Misestimating risk and causes of death
- Feeling powerless to change
- Prevention programs attempt to stop unhealthy habits before they develop
What is biofeedback?
Feedback by a device that provides almost an
immediate output of a biological function, such as heart rate
What are 3 benefits to meditation?
- Heightened creativity, empathy, self-esteem
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Increased blood flow to brain and immune function
