STRESS: Managing Stress

Question 1

What is the cognitive assumption to managing stress?

Answer 1

Stress is caused by the faulty processing of information.

Question 2

What are the three areas of Stress Inoculation Therapy?

Answer 2

1. Conceptualisation: identify negative thought patterns.
2. Skill Acquisition: coping strategies to replace negative thoughts.
3. Application and follow through: apply newly learned coping strategies to different situations.

Question 3

What is systematic desensitisation?

Answer 3

A behavioural technique NOT cognitive. Overcome phobias through gradual exposition to the stimulus.

Question 4

Meichenbaum aim?

Answer 4

Compare SIT with standard behavioural systematic desensitisation, and a control group on a waiting list.

Question 5

Meichenbaum method and design?

Answer 5

Field experiment, assessed before and after treatment using self report. It was a double blind study and matched pairs was used. Participants were randomly allocated to the SIT group, the standard systematic desensitisation group or the waiting list.

Question 6

Meichenbaum participants?

Answer 6

21 students, 17-25 years old, responded to an advert in a newspaper for treatment of test anxiety.

Question 7

Meichenbaum procedure?

Answer 7

Participants tested using a test anxiety questionnaire, IQ tests and Anxiety Adjective Checklist.
SIT group: 8 therapy sessions using the ‘insight’ approach to help identify thoughts and given positive statements to say and relaxation techniques.
SSD group: 8 sessions with progressive relaxation training to practice at home.
Control: on a waiting list and would receive therapy in the next two months.

Question 8

Meichenbaum findings?

Answer 8

Performance on all tests improved in SIT group, significant difference between therapy groups and control. SIT showed more reported improvement in their test anxiety.

Question 9

Meichenbaum conclusion?

Answer 9

SIT is a more effective way of reducing anxiety in students who have test anxiety, more effective than behavioural die to cognitive component.

Question 10

What is the behavioural assumption of managing stress?

Answer 10

We modify our behaviour through learning. Biofeedback suggests we can learn to modify our biological functioning. If we can become aware of the changes in our body, we may be able to change them, biofeedback offers information on the changes in our body.

Question 11

What is an MMPI?

Answer 11

Assesses personality traits and psychopathology.

Question 12

What is an EMG and what does it do?

Answer 12

An electromyogram, records the electrical activity of muscles.

Question 13

What is hypochondriasis?

Answer 13

Excessive preoccupation with ones own health.

Question 14

Budzynski aim?

Answer 14

To see if previous research in biofeedback as a method of reducing tension headaches was due to the placebo effect or whether biofeedback was effective.

Question 15

Budzynski method?

Answer 15

Experimental, patients trained in s laboratory and data collected by measuring muscles tension using an EMG feedback machine. Given MMPI and fill out questionnaires on their headaches.

Question 16

Budzynski procedure?

Answer 16

2 weeks, kept a record of their headaches, rating them on a scale of 0 (not severe) to 5 (severe) every hour, this gave a baseline. Groups A and B had 16 sessions of training, 2 a week for 8 weeks. Group A were taught relaxation and the clicks of the biofeedback machine reflected their muscle tension. Group B were told to concentrate on clicks and practise relaxation at home. Group C were given no training but will begin in two months. After 3 months an EMG was completed and a questionnaire.

Question 17

Budzynski participants?

Answer 17

18 who replied to an advertisement in Colorado, screened by phone and underwent psychiatric and medical examinations. 2 males and 16 females ages 22-44.

Question 18

Budzynski findings?

Answer 18

Group A’s muscle tension was significantly lower than group Bs. Group As reported headaches dropped significantly from their baseline, the others did not. MMPI tests showed high levels of hysteria, depression and hypochondriasis at the start of the study, these all reduced. Follow up questionnaire showed Group a had more reduction in symptoms and both groups reported better social relationships.

Question 19

Budzynski conclusion?

Answer 19

Biofeedback is an effective way of training patients to relax and reduce their tension headaches. Relaxation training is more effective than just being monitored.

Question 20

Why may social support help people manage stress?

Answer 20

It provides companionship during which people can share their problems with others.

Question 21

What are the 4 main functions of support?

Answer 21

Emotional support: empathy love and trust.
Instrumental support: financial support.
Information support: providing information.
Appraisal support: feedback from close friends and family.

Question 22

What does prospective mean?

Answer 22

A study starting with participants and following them to see their future behaviours.

Question 23

What does retrospective mean?

Answer 23

A study asking participants to recall their past behaviours.

Question 24

Waxler-Morrison aim?

Answer 24

To look at how a woman’s social relationships influence her response to breast cancer and survival.

Question 25

Waxler-Morrison method and design?

Answer 25

Quasi experiment with women diagnosed with breast cancer, used questionnaires, 18 interviews and an examination of medical records. Independent measures, different levels of existing and ongoing support.

Question 26

Waxler-Morrison participants?

Answer 26

135 women under 55 who were referred to a clinic in Vancouver.

Question 27

Waxler-Morrison procedure?

Answer 27

Participants were sent a self administrated questionnaire including questions on their education who they’re responsible for etc.

Question 28

Waxler-Morrison findings?

Answer 28

6 aspects of social network linked with survival rates were: martial status, support from friends, employment, contact with friends, social network and total support. Qualitative data showed practical help was the concrete aspect of support e.g. Childcare.

Question 29

Waxler-Morrison conclusion?

Answer 29

Prospective aspect of the study removed any retrospective biases. The more social networks and support, the higher the survival rate of women with breast cancer. The main factor influencing survival is still the state of the cancer at the time of diagnosis.

Question 30

What are the three approaches to managing stress?

Answer 30

Cognitive: Meichenbaum
Behavioural: Budzynski
Social support: Waxler- Morrison