STRESS- Stress 1 Flashcards
Define stress
Stress is the condition that results when person/environment transactions lead to the individual to perceive a discrepancy between the demands of a situation and the resources of the persons biological or social systems
What can stress lead to
The fight or flight response
List the key physiological effects of response
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Anger/irritability
- Exacerbation/ triggering of existing depression or mood disorders
When is the response to stress: anxiety
When there is a POSSIBLE threat
When is the response to stress: fear
When there is an imminent threat
List some physical effects of stress
- Increased heart rate
- Digestive problems
- Sleep disturbances
- Tiredness
- Headaches
List some cognitive effects of stress
- Hyper vigilance
- Poor concentration
- Indecisiveness
- Obsession worrying
Talk through the theory of cognitive appraisal
We ask ourself some questions to determine how we react to a stress event (Primary appraisal)
If you’ve determined the event is stressful move on to secondary appraisal
List the questions we ask ourselves during the primary appraisal according to the theory of cognitive appraisal
Is the event:
- benign and non threatening?
- potentially dangerous or harmful?
- threatening to ones self esteem?
If you answer yes to Q1 and no to Q2and 3 you ignore the stressor
If you answer no to Q1 and yes to Q2and 3 move on to secondary appraisal
What do we ask ourselves during the secondary appraisal according to the theory of cognitive appraisal
What resources and coping skills do I have to deal with this event?
According to the theory of cognitive appraisal when do we experience stress?
If we perceive that our resources and coping skills are inadequate to deal with an event we experience stress
Describe the vicious cycle we can enter when we are stressed
- Primary and second appraisal imbalance
- Leads to a stress response eg hyper vigilance
- We use maladaptive coping mechanisms like staying up late which in turn makes us more stressed
Give examples of some maladaptive coping mechanisms
- Comfort eating (or not eating)
- Increased smoking
- Increased drug/alcohol consumption
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Risk taking behaviour
- Hostility or violence
- Lateness/ absenteeism
- Social withdrawal
- Lack of self care
Does everyone appraise stress in the same way?
NO
What influences an individual’s appraisal?
- Previous experiences
- Genetics
- Mood
Describe people who are described as being type A
Impatient, competitive and aggressive
Describe people who are described as being type B
More satisfied with life
Patient and even tempered
Describe people who are described as being type C
‘Anger in’ personality, frustration and low self esteem
Describe people who are described as being type D
Have a negative outlook and high external locus of control
May become socially alone
What is locus of control?
Refers to an individuals belief that he or she controls personally relevant outcomes in life
What are people usually split into when we use the locus of control
Split into externals and internals
Describe the internals according to the locus of control
They believe they are in control of outcomes in life
Describe the externals according to the locus of control
They believe that luck or powerful others are in control
Give some examples of how we measure stressors?
- Social readjustment rating scale (SRRS)
2. Daily hassles and uplifts scale
What is the social readjustment rating scale (SRRS)
It is a scale developed by 43 participants who rated stressful life events in terms of level of adjustment required to cope with that event
What was the purpose of the social readjustment rating scale
To measure life events against physical and psychological health parameters
Give some examples of stressful vents asked about in the social readjustment rating scale
- Marriage was the benchmark at 500
- Divorce
- Death of spouse
- Major change at work
- Retirement
- Major personal achievement
- Moving house
What are some of the criticisms of the social readjustment rating scale
- Many events are rare and some more common events aren’t included
- The scale is based on the perception of marriage by 400 Americans in 1967
What does the daily hassles and uplifts scale define hassles as?
Defined as irritating, frustrating, distressing everyday transactions eg phone breaking, rain
What does the daily hassles and uplifts scale define uplifts as?
Uplifts defined as positive experiences such as manifestations of love, good news, good nights rest
Give some examples of hassles described in the daily hassles and uplifts scale
- Planning meals
- Wasting Time
- Being lonely
- Personal use of drugs
Give some examples of uplifts described in the daily hassles and uplifts scale
- Eating out
- Being efficient
- Relating well with friends
- Using drugs or alcohol
What conclusions did the daily hassles and uplifts scale come to?
In men: they experienced more hassles during significant life events
In women: They experience more hassles and uplifts during significant life events
Define coping
Thoughts and behaviours used to manage, master, tolerate, reduce or minimus the demands of a stressful environment
What effect does effective coping have?
- Reduces intensity and duration of stressor (appraisal)
2. Reduces likelihood that stressor will lead to illness
What can coping mechanisms be split into?
- Approach based
2. Avoidant based
Describe the approach based coping mechanism
Based on:
- Problem solving
- Seeking emotional suport
- Finding ways of expressing emotions
Describe the avoidant based coping mechanism
Based on Avoiding the problem
What can approach based coping mechanism she split into?
1, Emotion based: changing the emotional reaction to the stressor
2. Problem based: Adapting or changing the situation
Is an avoidant based coping mechanism always bad?
No it can be useful in sistuatiaiton where you are not in control or you have to wait for the outcome eg eating to test results
Define resilience
An individuals ability to bounce back, adapt, persevere, cope or withstand pressure
How down measure resilience?
By using the Connor Davidsons 10 point resilience scale
What is the Connor Davidson 10 point resilience scale
10 statements rated from 0 to 4
Give examples of some of the highest ranking statements found in the Connor Davidson 10 point resilience scale
- I believe I can achieve my goals
- I tend to bounce back after illness
- I am able to adapt when changes occur
Give examples of some of the lowest ranking statements found in the Connor Davidson 10 point resilience scale
- Under pressure I stay focused and think clearly
2. I try to see the humorous side if things when I’m face with a problem
When coping with stresses what is critical?
Social support
What can social support be split into?
- Emotional support
- Informational support
- Social companionship
- Instrumental support
What is emotional support
Sharing problems, feelings and worry without blame, ridicule or criticism
What is informational support
Advice and guidance
What is social companionship
Feedback and validation
What is instrumental support
Having assistance with instrumental tasks
What can we use to predict morbidity and mortality in cancer patients?
Social isolation and loneliness
How is social isolation and loneliness used to predict the morbidity and mortality in cancer patients?
Social relationships have shown to have. positive impact on the mortality of cancer patients
How does social support protect against stress
2 Hypotheses:
- The buffering hypothesis
- Direct effects hypothesis
Describe the buffering hypothesis
Social support affects health bu protecting us against the negative effects of high stress
According the buffering hypothesis when is social support effect?
Effective only for strong stressors
Describe the direct effects hypothesis
Social support is beneficial to health and well being regardless of the amount of stress
List some of the positive impacts of internet and social media on stress
- Informational support
- Emotional support
- Social companionship
- Accessibel everywhere
List some of the negative impacts of internet and social media on stress
- Misinformation
- Concerns about self image
- Trolls/ Misinterpretation
- Accessible everywhere so you can’t get a break
- Addiction/ FOMO
- Light emitting devices have an impact on mood and sleep quality
Can we change the way people cope with stress
We can encourage more adaptive coping mechanism
We can change the environment
How can we change the environment
- Change actual control of job demands
- Reframe/ accept issues or negotiate change
- Increase social support
