Stress Pt2 Flashcards
Within each stage of appraisal a person experiences what different responses? 3
Emotional
Psychological
Behavioural
Is what is stressful/ stress trigger the same for every person?
No. It is unique, complex and multidimensional for each person
What is stressful to one is not stressful to another
What is a subjective cognitive appraisal?
Personalised perceptions of threat, influenced by familiarity with the event, controllability, predictability and so on
What is the behavioural response?
Coping refers to efforts made to Master, reduce or tolerate the demands created by stress
There are two primary types, adaptive and maladaptive coping
What is adaptive or constructive coping? (Two main things)
Confronting problems directly
– task relevant and action oriented and is a conscious effort to rationally evaluate options so you can try to solve problems
Releasing pent-up emotions and forgiveness
– Talking or writing (being able to express and discharge problematic emotions by letting your views misgivings and frustrations out lens to better health and immune function)
-forgiveness (better adjustment in well-being, reduced anger and physical symptoms)
What is the emotional response?
Many emotions can be a evoked by stressful events but some are more likely than others
But annoyance, anger, rage, apprehension, anxiety, fear, dejection, sadness and grief especially common
specific cognitive reactions to stress and emotions (for example self blame leads to guilt & helplessness to sadness)
Positive and negative emotions can occur in stressful periods
Positive emotions are correlated with a person’s resilience
What are the three main maladaptive or defensive coping responses?
Self blame and giving up (learned helplessness: is passive behaviour produced by exposure to unavoidable as aversive events; fatalism and resignation)
Striking out at others (aggression is any behaviour that is intended to hurt someone either physically or verbally. Behaving in an aggressive manner tends to feel more anger and aggression)
Indulging oneself (can lead to reduced impulse control or self indulgence. Many people engage in and wise patterns of eating drinking spending money Internet or binging)
What are the four principal types of stress?
Frustration
Conflict
Pressure
Change
What is included in frustration stressors?
When the pursuit of a goal is challenged
You want something you can’t have
This is something everyone has to deal with virtually every day
What is included in internal conflict?
When 2 or more incompatible motivations or behavioural impulses compete for expression
Are common and can be stressful. Any time you have to risk something to pursue a desirable outcome
What is included in pressure
Involves expectations or demands that one behaves in a certain way
Pressure to conform to expectations of others
Pressure to conform to own standards
Under pressure to perform when you’re expected to execute tasks and responsibilities quickly, efficiently and successfully
What is included in change
Life changes that have substantial alterations in one’s living circumstances that require readjustment
Life changes, including positive, represent key type of stress
What are external or physical stressors?
Death (spouse, loved one, close friend) Marital problems (divorce, separation or conflict) Trauma or crisis Physical illness Disability Conflict with people at work or neighbours Pregnancy (wanted or unwanted) Work or career changes (fired, new job, boring, lonely, unreasonable boss) Balancing work/family Relationship strain, disconnection Financial pressure Life transitions and changes Excessive /impossible demands
What are the internal stressors?
Feeling helplessness
Expectations (how things must/should be)
Perceiving life isn’t unfolding how you think it should
Believing you are incompetent or can’t handle a situation
Catastrophise in or drawing multi conclusions
Performance orientation (pushing yourself to excel and/or failing to achieve a desired goal)
Blaming yourself for others for bad events
History of intense stress (childhood can predispose you to overreact stresses)
And expressed feelings of internalised anger
What are hidden stressors?
Driving in busy traffic (congested freeways) Noise from roads or trains Loneliness Complaining papers Bad lighting at work or home Poor time management Always being late for appointments Too many deadlines Dogs that bark at night (sleep disturbances)
