1. Living Psychology by Karen Huffman
PowerPoint  Lecture Notes Presentation
Chapter 3: Stress and Health Psychology
Judith Phillips, Palomar College
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Lecture Overview
Understanding Stress
Stress and Illness
Health Psychology in Action
Living Psychology- Health and Stress Management
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Living Psychology

3. Understanding Stress: Module 3.1
What is Stress?
Stress is a
nonspecific response of the body to any demand made on it;
the arousal to situations or events that we perceive as threatening or challenging;
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Sources of Stress
1. Life Changes: life events that require some adjustment in behavior or lifestyle;
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2. Chronic Stressors: ongoing, long unpleasant events;
3. Hassles: small, everyday problems that accumulate;
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4. Frustration: unpleasant tension that results from a blocked goal;
5. Conflict: having to choose between two or more incompatible goals or impulses;
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3 types of Conflict
a. Approach-approach: having to choose between two or more desirable alternatives;
b. Avoidance-avoidance: having to choose between two or more undesirable alternatives;
c. Approach-avoidance: having to choose between two or more alternatives which have desirable and undesirable results;
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Living Psychology

8. Effects of Stress: a dual system
a. activation of the sympathetic nervous system;
b. the HPA Axis
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Elevated cortisol:
is linked to increased levels of depression, memory problems and
is directly related to impairment of immune system functioning;
A suppressed immune system leaves the body vulnerable to disease.
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10. The General Adaptation Syndrome
3 stages developed by Seyle:
a. alarm reaction
b. resistance stage
c. exhaustion stage
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11. Stress and Illness: Module 3.2
Cancer: caused by hereditary disposition and environmental factors;
Cardiovascular Disorders: contributing factors are stress hormones, certain personality types & certain behaviors;
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: exposure to extraordinary stress;
Gastric Ulcers: caused by bacteria or stress?
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Living Psychology

12. Health Psychology in Action: Module 3.3
Health Psychology: studies how biological, psychological and social factors affect health and illness;
Major health risks include:
a. Tobacco
b. Alcohol & binge drinking
Chronic Pain- pain that lasts over 6 months; it responds to treatments of behavior modification, biofeedback, and relaxation;
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Living Psychology

13. Living Psychology- Health and Stress Management Module 3.4
There are two different approaches to coping:
a. emotion-focused forms of coping-based on changing one's perceptions of stressful situations;
b. problem-focused forms of coping-using problem-solving strategies to decrease stress;
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Living Psychology

14. Is stress in the eye of the beholder?
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15. Resources for Healthy Living
1. Health & exercise
2. Positive beliefs
3. Social skills
4. Social support
5. Material resources
6. Personal control
Internal locus of control
7. Relaxation
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Living Psychology