Chapter 11 Stress and Physical Health General Psychology Chapter 11 Stress and Physical Health

What is Stress? Stress is a complex set of reactions to real or perceived threats to one’s well being that motivates adaptation Stressors – sources or stimuli for stress

Frustration-Induced Stress Results from the blocking or thwarting of goal-directed behavior Environmental or social frustration refers to blocking of goal-directed behavior by something or somebody in the environment Personal frustration – results from internal or personal reasons Fault and blame are not relevant here.

Figure 11.1: A depiction of frustration – the blocking or thwarting of goal-directed behavior.

Conflict-Induced Stress Conflict – stressor in which some goals can be satisfied only at the expense of others Approach-approach Avoidance-avoidance Approach-avoidance Multiple approach-avoidance There are 4 types of motivational conflicts.

Figure 11.2: A diagram of an approach-approach conflict. In such a conflict, a person is faced with two (or more) attractive, positive goals and must choose between or among them. Figure 11.2: A diagram of an approach-approach conflict.

Figure 11.3: A diagram of an avoidance-avoidance conflict. In such a conflict, a person is faced with two (or more) unattractive, negative goals, and must choose between or among them. This is sometimes referred to as a “no-win” situation. Figure 11.3: A diagram of an avoidance-avoidance conflict.

Figure 11.4: A diagram of an approach-avoidance conflict. Here, a person is faced with only one goal. What makes this a conflict is that the goal has both positive and negative aspects or features. Figure 11.4: A diagram of an approach-avoidance conflict.

Figure 11.5: A diagram of multiple approach-avoidance conflict. In such a conflict, a person is faced with two (or more) alternatives, each of which has both positive and negative aspects or features, and a choice must be made between or among the alternatives. Figure 11.5: A diagram of multiple approach-avoidance conflict.

Life-Induced Stress Social Readjustment Rating Scale – Holmes & Rahe Provides a list of life events that might be potentially stressful Positive correlation between scores on SRRS and incidence of illness and disease In 1967, Holmes and Rahe published the 1st version of their Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS). Important to note that while stress may predispose a person to physical illness, the scale does not demonstrate cause and effect.

Socioeconomic Status (SES) Socioeconomic status (SES) – measure that reflects income, educational level, and occupation Persons of higher SES are less likely than persons of low SES to encounter negative life events, such as unemployment, poor housing, and less access to quality health care Persons of low SES have fewer resources to deal with stressful life events when they do occur SES is related to stress in at least 2 ways.

What about Hassles? Lazarus and colleagues devised the Hassles Scale This scale is a better predictor of symptoms such as anxiety and depression than the SRRS Stressors can be pleasant and desired, even though they may bring other hassles Richard Lazarus believes that stress is a result of life’s little hassles.

Reacting to Stressors in Our Lives Stress – reaction to stressors Stress motivates people to do something about the perceived threats to one’s well-being

Table 11.1: Ten common stressors in the lives of middle-aged adults and college students.

Individual Differences in Responding to Stressors Hardy personalities – people who seem generally resistant to the negative aspects of stress. Related to: Challenge Control Commitment There are individual differences in how people respond to stress. 1. Being able to see difficulties as opportunity for change and growth, not as a threat to status. 2. Being in charge of what is happening and believing that one is master of his or her fate. 3. Being engaged and involved in life and its circumstances, not just watching life go by on the sidelines.

Individual Differences in Responding to Stressors Gender differences: Males likely to show a “fight-or-flight” reaction Females tend to exhibit “tend-and-befriend” reactions Females will often call out to their friends and family members in times of stress. In sum, some responses to stress are more effective or adaptive than others.

Seyle’s General Adaptation Syndrome General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) – physiological reactions one makes to stressors First stage: alarm – activates the sympathetic division of the ANS Second stage: resistance – drain on body resources continues Third stage: exhaustion – bodily resources become nearly depleted Upon perception of a stressor… Repeated exposure to stressors has cumulative effects!

Effective Coping Strategies Identify the stressor Remove or negate the stressor Reappraise the situation Inoculate against future stressors Take your time with important decisions Learn techniques of relaxation Engage in physical exercise Seek social support There are several strategies to consider, including: Whereas the first 5 of list may be thought of as problem-focused strategies, the others deal more with the unpleasantness of experiencing stress, and are called emotion-focused strategies.

That is, when one’s goal-directed behaviors are continually blocked or thwarted, one should consider bringing about a relatively permanent change in those behaviors, or consider changing one’s goals altogether. Figure 11.7: Reacting to frustration with learning is the most effective long-term reaction to stressors.

Ineffective Coping Strategies Procrastination Form of fixation – simply not doing something to remove the stressor Aggression Frustration-aggression hypothesis – claims that aggression was always caused by frustration Anxiety – general feeling of tension, apprehension and dread that involves predictable physiological changes It is now realized that there are other sources of aggression. Anxiety–the anxiety that results from stress can become so discomforting and maladaptive to lead a psychologist to say that a person is suffering from a psychological disorder.

Psychological Factors that Influence Physical Health Health Psychology is the field of applied science that studies psychological factors affecting physical health and illness Changing “unhealthy behaviors” Based on premise that changing unhealthy behaviors would be more effective and less expensive than treating illness or disease.

Psychological Factors that Influence Physical Health Biopsychosocial model – there may be an interaction between a number of factors to produce certain illnesses or diseases Biological factors – such as genetic predispositions Social factors – such as influence of family, social support, or one’s cultural expectations Personality factors There is a positive correlation between some personality variables and some aspects of physical health.

Type A Behavior Pattern Originally defined as describing a person who was competitive, achievement-oriented, impatient, easily aroused, often hostile and angry, who worked many tasks at the same time For nearly 20 years, many studies found a positive correlation between coronary heart disease (CHD) and behaviors typical of Type A personality. Subsequent data failed to show a clear relationship between TABP and CHD for 20 years. Now it appears that anger and hostility are related to CHD. There may be a set of behaviors within the Type A behaviors that does predict CHD. It now seems the active ingredients pf TABP related to CHD are anger and hostility. More research is necessary on adequately diagnosing TABP and its relation to CHD.

Type B Behavior Pattern Described as relaxed and easygoing. They have less need for achievement and control. How many of you would classify yourselves as Type A personalities? Type B?

Why People Die: The Unhealthy Lifestyle Many deaths are premature and preventable! Nearly 2.5 million Americans die each year Smoking, poor nutrition, obesity, and stress are behavioral risk factors Behavioral techniques may help People die for an infinite number of reasons, but some are attributable to lifestyle choices! Psychologists use behavioral techniques to promote healthy and safe behaviors.

Psychological Complications of AIDS Stress, depression, anger, anxiety, and denial are common Males with AIDS are 7.5x more likely to commit suicide than men in the general population Others, even family members, often shun the AIDS patient AIDS has unprecedented psychological complications.