Module 1/ Chapter 1 Understanding Stress “It is not the stressor but your perception of the stress that is important”

CHAPTER 1 OUTLINE What is stress? Contemporary Concept of Stress in the West Response-based concept of stress Event-based concept of stress Interactional model of stress Stressors Life events or life change events Chronic stressors Non stressors

CHAPTER 1 OUTLINE (cont’d) Effects of Stress on the Body Stress in the Overall Context Summary Points

Concept of Stress Stress is the response of: Body Mind Behaviors As a result of: Encountering environmental events (stressors) Interpreting these events Making judgments about controlling or influencing these events

Stress & Strain: Use of the Terms in Common Parlance Effects of the stressors on the mind Construed as essentially a mental phenomenon Strain: Effects of stressors on the body particularly on the muscles in the body

Response-based Model Walter Cannon’s (1932) “Fight or Flight” response General Adaptation Syndrome (Selye, 1936, 1974, 1982) Alarm Reaction Stage of Resistance Stage of Exhaustion In 1980s differentiated Eustress (good stress) & Distress (bad stress)

Event-Based Model Holmes & Rahe (1967) constructed the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) 43 events Calculated a life change unit score 150-199 LCU score: Showed a 37% chance of these stressors leading to disease in next year 200-299 LCU score: 51% chance of these stressors leading to disease in next year > 300 LCU score: 79% chance of these stressors leading to disease in next year

Interactional (Transactional) Model Primary Appraisal: Am I Ok or in trouble? Judgment based on past, knowledge about oneself, about event, from influence on others Secondary Appraisal: How much control do I have over the threat? Coping Application of means identified Reappraisal Whether the original stressor has been negated

Concept of Coping ”Cope" is derived from the Latin word "colpus" meaning "to alter" Dealing with and attempting to overcome problems and difficulties In Psychology used as: A thought process, A personality characteristic In social context ”Coping" was officially utilized by Psychological Abstracts only in 1967

Types of Coping Problem-focused coping Emotion-focused coping Based on one's capability to think and alter the environmental event or situation Emotion-focused coping Based on focusing inward on altering the way one thinks or feels about a situation or an event

Problem-focused Coping Examples of this strategy at the thought process level include: Utilization of problem solving skills Interpersonal conflict resolution Advice seeking Time management Goal-setting Gathering information about what is causing one stress Examples of this strategy at the behavioral or action level include activities such as: Joining a smoking cessation program Compliance to a prescribed medical treatment Adherence to a diabetic diet plan Scheduling and prioritizing tasks for managing time

Emotion-focused Coping Examples of this strategy at the thought process level include: Denying the existence of the stressful situation Freely expressing emotions Avoiding the stressful situation Making social comparisons Minimization of looking at the bright side of things Examples of this strategy at the behavioral or action level include: Seeking social support Use of exercise Relaxation Meditation Support groups

Types of Stressors A. Life Events or Life Change Events Discrete, observable, and objectively reportable event that requires some social and/or psychological adjustment on the part of the individual Recent -- Within past one year Remote -- Childhood events such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect

Types of Stressors … 2 B. Chronic Stressors Events encountered in everyday life, more prevalent Persistent life difficulties -- life events lasting more than 6 months, e.g. long term disability Role strains -- from performing specific roles (parenting, working, being in a relationship etc.) or multiplicity of roles at the same time Chronic strains -- response of one social group to another, e.g. overt or covert, intentional or unintentional discriminatory behavior due to race, ethnicity etc. Daily hassles -- Every day problems , e.g. standing in a queue, getting stuck in traffic Community-wide strains -- Stressors at an ecological level, e.g. living in a high crime neighborhood

Non Events Desired or Anticipated events when they do not occur (e.g. wanting to graduate but not enough credits) Desirable events that do not occur even though their occurrence is normative for people of a certain group (e.g. having an intimate friend of opposite sex as a college student) Not having anything to do (e.g. getting bored)

Thoughts for Reflection Read & reflect with a partner: 1.1 Murphy’s Laws 1.2 Why stress exists? 1.3 On attitude

Skill Building Activities Complete and discuss with a partner Worksheet 1.1: What do you know about stress? Complete and discuss with a partner Worksheet 1.2: How are your stress copings skills? Complete and discuss with a partner Worksheet 1.3: What kind of attitude do you have about stress? Complete and discuss with a partner Worksheet 1.4: The Social Readjustment Rating Scale? Complete and discuss with a partner Worksheet 1.5: Personality Type Identification? Complete and discuss with a partner Worksheet 1.6: Advantages of Stress Management