Chapter 13 Psychology and Health

Module 13.1 Stress: What It Is and What It Does to the Body

Module 13.1 Preview Questions  What is stress?  What are the major sources of stress?  How does the body respond to stress?  How does stress affect the immune system?  What psychological factors buffer the effects of stress?

Health Psychology  Study of the interrelationships between psychology and physical health  Especially concerned with effects of stress: Stress: pressure or demand placed on an organism to adjust or adapt Stress: pressure or demand placed on an organism to adjust or adapt Distress: an internal state of physical or mental pain or suffering Distress: an internal state of physical or mental pain or suffering

Sources of Stress  Hassles Can contribute to chronic stress Can contribute to chronic stress  Life events Can be negative or positive events Can be negative or positive events Role of event appraisal Role of event appraisal  Frustration  Pressure  Conflict  Traumatic stressors

Sources of Stress: Type A Behavior Pattern (TABP)  Characterized by impatience, competitiveness, and aggressiveness  Type B pattern: Slower, more relaxed pace in life  Type A is associated with a modestly higher risk of heart disease Hostility is the key element accounting for this increased risk Hostility is the key element accounting for this increased risk

Sources of Stress: Acculturative Stress  Demands immigrants experience adjusting to a new culture  Relationship between acculturation and psychological adjustment is complex  Successful adjustment depends on a number of factors

General Adaptation Syndrome  Alarm Stage: Fight-or-flight response Fight-or-flight response Strong psychological, physiological arousal Strong psychological, physiological arousal  Resistance Stage (or adaptation stage): Attempt to return to normal state Attempt to return to normal state  Exhaustion Stage: Resources seriously depleted Resources seriously depleted “Diseases of adaptation” “Diseases of adaptation”

Stress and the Immune System  Immune system is the body’s primary defense against disease and infection  Immunity develops through: Antigen “memory” Antigen “memory” Vaccinations Vaccinations  Chronic stress can weaken the immune system Increases vulnerability to disease Increases vulnerability to disease

Buffers Against Stress  Social support  High levels of self-efficacy  Predictability and controllability of the stressors  Internal locus of control  Psychological hardiness Psychological hardiness Psychological hardiness  Optimism Continue

Psychological Hardiness  Cluster of traits associated with an increased resilience to stress  Three key traits: Commitment Commitment Openness to challenge Openness to challenge Internal locus of control Internal locus of control  Acceptance of stress as a normal challenge of life Return

Module 13.2 Psychological Factors in Physical Illness

Module 13.2 Preview Questions  How are psychological factors linked to the health of our heart and circulatory system?  What roles do psychological factors play in the development of cancer?  How can we protect ourselves from sexually transmitted diseases?

Coronary Heart Disease  Disorder in which the flow of blood to the heart becomes insufficient Underlying cause is usually atherosclerosis Underlying cause is usually atherosclerosis  Leading killer of men and women

Risk Factors for CHD  Age  Gender  Family history  Hypertension  Obesity  Smoking  Diabetes  Lack of physical activity  High Cholesterol

Emotions and Your Heart  Hostility is linked to increased risk of CHD and hypertension.  Persistent emotional arousal may damage cardiovascular system. Result of effects of stress hormones Result of effects of stress hormones  Ways being developed to help learn to control emotional responses.

Cancer  Disease in which body cells exhibit uncontrolled growth Formation of malignant tumors which damage body organs, systems Formation of malignant tumors which damage body organs, systems  Many causes But 2 of 3 cancer deaths in U.S. attributable to smoking and diet But 2 of 3 cancer deaths in U.S. attributable to smoking and diet

Risk Factors for Cancer  Smoking  Diet and alcohol consumption  Sun exposure  Stress

Sexual Behavior and STDs  HIV/AIDS is the most threatening sexually transmitted disease (STD) 40 million worldwide living with HIV; 3 million die annually from AIDS 40 million worldwide living with HIV; 3 million die annually from AIDS HIV attacks and disables the immune system HIV attacks and disables the immune system  About 19 million new cases of STDs occur annually in the US  Many STDs pose serious health threats

STD Treatment

Prevention of STDs

Guidelines for Lowering Risk of Contracting an STD

Application: Module 13.3 Taking the Distress Out of Stress

Managing Stress Levels  Reduce daily hassles  Know your limits  Follow a reasonable schedule  Take frequent breaks  Develop effective time-management skills  Learn to prioritize

Various Techniques  Develop relaxation skills  Take care of your body  Gather information  Expand your social network  Prevent burnout  Replace stress-inducing thoughts with stress-busting thoughts  Don’t keep upsetting feelings bottled up

Control Type A Behavior  Take things slower  Read books for enjoyment  Leave your computer at home  Avoid rushing meals  Engage in enjoyable activities  Develop relaxing interests  Set realistic daily goals