Stress Coping & Health Flashcards
Biopsychosocial Model
Physical illness is caused by a complex interaction of biological,
psychological and sociocultural factors.
Health Psychology
Interested in how psychosocial factors impact our health and how to prevent and treat diseases.
Definition of Stress
Circumstances that threaten, or are perceived to threaten, one’s well being and tax one’s coping skills
Primary Appraisal
a person sees how relevant or irrelevant the event is to them and what kind of impact it will have.
Secondary Appraisal
an person’s ability to cope with a specific situation
Major types of Stress
Fustration - experienced whenever the pursuit of some goal is thwarted
Conflict - happens when you have competing thoughts or desires that don’t work well together.
Change - big changes in your living situation that you need to get used to
Pressure - requires specific behavior based on expectations or demands
Types of Conflict
Approach -Approach: least stressful
Avoidance-Avoidance: most stressful
Approach-Avoidance: produces uncertainty
Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)
measures life change as a form of stress developed by Holmes & Rahe
Responses to Stress - Emotional
Inverted U Hypothesis
- performance improves arousal improves up to an optimal point. Any increase in arousal beyond the optimal point will worsen performance.
Responses to Stress - Physiological
General Adaptation Syndrome
Phase 1 - Alarm
Phase 2 - Resistance
Phase 3 - Exhaustion
Responses to Stress - Behavioral
In dealing with stress, coping responses:
May be adaptive or maladaptive
Brain - Body Pathways
the brain sends signals along 2 pathways.
- The pathway through the autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls the release of catecholamine hormones, which help mobilize the body for action.
- The pathway through the pituitary gland and the endocrine system controls the release of corticosteroid hormones, which increase energy and ward off tissue inflammation.
Type A personality
- Strong competitive nature
- Time urgency
- Anger & hostility
What health risks do Type A’s face?
Increased coronary risk (heart attack) and high blood pressure.