Stress - Improving Stress

Question 1

What was the aim of Michenbaum’s (1972) study on using cognitive techniques to improve stress?

Answer 1

To compare SIT (stress inoculation techniques) with standard behavioural systematic de-sensitisation and a control group on a waiting list.

Question 2

What was the method used in Michenbaum’s (1972) study on using cognitive techniques to improve stress?

Answer 2

Field experiment - students were assessed before and after treatment using self report and grade averages.

Question 3

What was the sample in Michenbaum’s (1972) study on using cognitive techniques to improve stress?

Answer 3

21 students aged 17-25 who responded to an advert for treatment of test anxiety.

Question 4

What was the procedure in Michenbaum’s (1972) study on using cognitive techniques to improve stress?

Answer 4

Matched pairs design - PPS matched on gender and anxiety levels and then randomly allocated to the SIT therapy group, the waiting list control group or the standard systematic desensitisation group. Anxiety levels were tested using a test anxiety questionnaire.

In the SIT therapy group, PPS received 8 therapy sessions. These involved being made aware of the thoughts they have in stressful exam situations. They are then taught ways to re-structure the thoughts they have by saying positive statements and relaxation techniques.

In the SSD group, PPS were also given 8 therapy sessions, but were given progressive relaxation training, which they were encouraged to practice at home.

Control group were told they were on a waiting list and would receive therapy in the future.

Question 5

What were the results from Michenbaum’s (1972) study on using cognitive techniques to improve stress?

Answer 5

Performance on the tests improved in the SIT group, compared with the other two groups. There was a significant difference between the two therapy groups and the control group.

PPS in the SIT group showed more reported improvement in their anxiety levels.

Question 6

What was concluded from Michenbaum’s (1972) study on using cognitive techniques to improve stress?

Answer 6

SIT is a more effective way of reducing anxiety in students who are prone to it in stressful exam situations. It is more effective than behavioural techniques such as systematic desensitisation as it adds a cognitive component to the therapy.

Question 7

What are 3 strengths of Michenbaum’s (1972) study on using cognitive techniques to improve stress?

Answer 7

+ Field experiment means it has high ecological validity and participants are subject to less demand characteristics.
+ Useful - we now know that SIT therapy is more effective than other behavioural techniques, so can use that instead for individuals with test anxiety.
+ Experimental method allows comparison between the groups.

Question 8

What are 3 weaknesses of Michenbaum’s (1972) study on using cognitive techniques to improve stress?

Answer 8

• Sample issues - it’s small, they’re all students and they all responded to an advert. This reduces external validity and external reliability.
• Reductionist as it only considers cognitive explanations for stress reduction.
• Self reports are used to assess test anxiety, for which responses will have been subject to social desirability bias.

Question 9

What was the aim of Budzynski et al’s (1970) study on Behavioural Treatments to improve stress?

Answer 9

To see whether biofeedback is an effective method of reducing tension headaches.

Question 10

What was the method used in Budzynski et al’s (1970) study on Behavioural Treatments to improve stress?

Answer 10

Experimental. PPS trained in a lab.

Question 11

What was the sample used in Budzynski et al’s (1970) study on Behavioural Treatments to improve stress?

Answer 11

18 participants, 2 males and 16 females who responded to an advert in a local paper in Colorado.

Question 12

What was the procedure of Budzynski et al’s (1970) study on Behavioural Treatments to improve stress?

Answer 12

PPS randomly allocated to one of 3 groups:

Group A were taught relaxation and told the ‘clicks’ of the biofeedback machine would reflect their muscle tension, with slower clicks indicating less muscle tension. 16 sessions - 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks.

Group B were told to concentrate on the various clicks, but were given pseudo feedback. 16 sessions - 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks.

Group C were given no training at all, but were told they would begin training in two months.

Question 13

What were the results for Budzynski et al’s (1970) study on Behavioural Treatments to improve stress?

Answer 13

After 3 months, Group A’s muscle tension was significantly lower than Group B’s and was significantly different by the end of the study.

Group A’s reported headaches dropped significantly from their baseline, whereas the other didn’t, and was significantly less than group B and C’s.

Drug usage decreased in Group A, more than in group B. Group A reported less headache activity than Group B.

Question 14

What was concluded from Budzynski et al’s (1970) study on Behavioural Treatments to improve stress?

Answer 14

Biofeedback is an effective way of training patients to relax and reduce their tension headaches, so can be seen as an effective method of stress management.

Relaxation training is also more effective than just being monitored, but is better when used together with biofeedback.

Question 15

What are 3 strengths of Budzynski et al’s (1970) study on Behavioural Treatments to improve stress?

Answer 15

+ This study is useful because we can now use biofeedback to treat stress/tense patients and can also ensure that relaxation training is paired with biofeedback, as we now know that this combination is more effective.
+ Objective measurements of muscle tension are used - there can be no bias when using a biofeedback machine!
+ High internal reliability due to the use of an experimental method and control group.

Question 16

What are 3 weaknesses of Budzynski et al’s (1970) study on Behavioural Treatments to improve stress?

Answer 16

• Sample issues - small sample, female-dominated (gynocentric bias), and all volunteered to be a part of the study. Also all from Colorado.
• Unethical - control group denied treatment for 2 months.
• Self reports were used to report headaches and response to these are subject to socal desirability bias.

Question 17

What was the aim of Waxler-Morrison’s (1991) study on using social support to improve stress?

Answer 17

To see how social relationships influence response to breast cancer survival.

Question 18

What method was used in Waxler-Morrison’s (1991) study on using social support to improve stress?

Answer 18

Quasi experiment - women had existing social networks.

Question 19

What was the sample in Waxler-Morrison’s (1991) study on using social support to improve stress?

Answer 19

133 women under 55 years old.

Question 20

What was the procedure in Waxler-Morrison’s (1991) study on using social support to improve stress?

Answer 20

Patients were mailed a questionnaire to gather information on their demography and existing social networks, their education level, who they were responsible for, contact with friends and family and perception of support from others.

Given a psychometric test of social network which involved marital status, contact with close family and friends and church membership.

Details of their diagnosis were extracted from their medical records between 1980 and 1981. Their survival and recurrence rates were then checked in their medical records in January 1985.

Question 21

What were the results of Waxler-Morrison’s (1991) study on using social support to improve stress?

Answer 21

Six aspects of social network were significantly linked with survival:

Marital status
Support from friends
Contact with friends
Total support
Social network
Employment

Question 22

What was concluded from Waxler-Morrison’s (1991) study on using social support to improve stress?

Answer 22

The more social networks and support, the higher the survival rate of women with breast cancer.

However, the type of cancer was still the main factor in survival of patients.

Question 23

What were 3 strengths of Waxler-Morrison’s (1991) study on using social support to improve stress?

Answer 23

+ Highly useful - can improve breast cancer survival rates by encouraging people to be more social!
+ Reliable - the same questionnaire was given to all PPS.
+ High ecological validity - real breast cancer patients with real social support/lack of social support.

Question 24

What were 3 weaknesses of Waxler-Morrison’s (1991) study on using social support to improve stress?

Answer 24

• Social desirability bias affects the self report of social support. This reduces validity and reliability.
• PPS perceptions of their social support may not be accurate. Reduced reliability.
• Reductionist - only social explanations of survival are taken into account - genetic (biological), developmental cognitive or individual difference explanations could also be used here.