Slide 1 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. LIFE-SPAN DEVELOPMENT 4 A Topical Approach to John W. Santrock Health

Slide 2 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Understanding Stress What is Stress? –A nonspecific response of the body to any demand made on it; –the arousal, both physical and mental, to situations or events that we perceive as threatening or challenging. 2

Slide 3 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Understanding Stress: Sources of Stress 3

Slide 4 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Understanding Stress: Sources of Stress (Continued) 4

Slide 5 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Understanding Stress: Sources of Stress (Continued) Frustration unpleasant tension resulting from a blocked goal Conflict forced choice between two or more incompatible goals or impulses 5

Slide 6 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Understanding Stress: Sources of Stress (Continued)  Three Types of Conflict Approach-Approach: forced choice between two or more desirable alternatives Avoidance-Avoidance: forced choice between two or more undesirable alternatives Approach-Avoidance: forced choice between two or more alternatives both having desirable and undesirable results 6

Slide 7 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Understanding Stress: Sources of Stress (Continued)  If this man is interested in one of the three women on the couch, is he experiencing an approach-approach, approach-avoidance, or avoidance- avoidance conflict? 7

Slide 8 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Stress and Illness Walter Cannon observed that, in response to stress, the sympathetic nervous system activates the secretion of stress hormones, triggers increased heart rate and respiration, diverts blood to skeletal muscles, and releases sugar and fat from the body’s stores, all to prepare the body for either “fight or flight.”

Slide 9 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Figure 14.2 Stress appraisal Myers: Psychology, Eighth Edition Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers

Slide 10 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Stress and Illness In addition to this first (and faster) track (fight or flight), the cerebral cortex operates on a slower track by stimulating the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland to trigger the release of glucocorticoid stress hormones, such as cortisol, from the outer part of the adrenals.

Slide 11 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Understanding Stress: Effects of Stress Sympathetic Nervous System HPA Axis 11

Slide 12 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Understanding Stress: Effects of Stress (Continued) Stress and the HPA Axis: Prolonged elevation of cortisol is related to: –increased depression, memory problems, etc. –impaired immune system, which leaves the body vulnerable to disease. 12

Slide 13 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Understanding Stress: Effects of Stress (Continued) Stress and the Immune System Psychoneuroimmunology: interdisciplinary field that studies the effect of psychological factors on the immune system 13

Slide 14 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Understanding Stress: Effects of Stress (Continued) Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome 1.Alarm 2.Resistance 3.Exhaustion 14

Slide 15 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Stress In Hans Selye’s general adaptation syndrome (GAS), the body’s adaptive response to stress is composed of three stages. In Phase 1, we experience an alarm reaction due to the sudden activation of our sympathetic nervous system. Heart rate increases and blood is diverted to the skeletal muscles.

Slide 16 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Figure 14.4 Selye’s general adaptation syndrome Myers: Psychology, Eighth Edition Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers

Slide 17 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Stress With our resources mobilized, we then fight the challenge during Phase 2, resistance. Temperature, blood pressure, and respiration remain high, and there is a sudden outpouring of stress hormones. If the stress is persistent, it may eventually deplete our body’s reserves during Phase 3, exhaustion. With exhaustion, we are more vulnerable to illness or even, in extreme cases, collapse and death.

Slide 18 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Extreme Stress Catastrophic floods, hurricanes, and fires are followed by increased rates of psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. Those who experience significant life changes, such as the death of a spouse, divorce, or loss of a job, are vulnerable to disease. Experiencing a cluster of such crises puts one even more at risk.

Slide 19 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Extreme Stress Daily hassles, such as rush-hour traffic, long lines at the bank or store, and aggravating housemates, may be the most significant source of stress. Over time, these little stressors take a toll on our health and well- being.

Slide 20 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Extreme Stress Stress can increase the risk of coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in many developed countries. It has been linked with the competitive, hard-driving, and impatient Type A personality. The toxic core of Type A is negative emotions, especially the anger associated with an aggressively reactive temperament.

Slide 21 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Extreme Stress Under stress, the body of the Type A person secretes more of the hormones that accelerate the buildup of plaques on the heart’s artery walls (epinephrin, norepinephrin, cortisol) The noncompetitive, relaxed, easy- going Type B personality is less physiologically reactive when harassed or given a difficult challenge and less susceptible to coronary heart disease. Pessimism and depression also can have a toxic effect on a person’s health.

Slide 22 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Health and Stress Management (Continued) Our emotional reaction to stress largely depends on how we interpret it. 22

Slide 23 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Style, Stress, & Health In comparison to pessimists, optimists report less fatigue, have fewer aches and pains, and respond to stress with smaller increases in blood pressure. Optimists also tend to outlive pessimists. Laughter (but not hostile sarcasm) may reduce stress and strengthen the immune system.

Slide 24 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Social Support & Stress Feeling liked, affirmed, and encouraged by intimate friends and family promotes both happiness and health. People with supportive friends and marriage partners eat better, exercise more, sleep better, and smoke less; thus they cope with stress more effectively.

Slide 25 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Social Support & Stress Social support strengthens immune functioning, calms the cardiovascular system, and lowers blood pressure. Even companionable pets help people cope with stressful events.

Slide 26 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Aerobic Exercise & Stress Aerobic exercise, sustained exercise that increases heart and lung fitness, can reduce stress, depression, and anxiety. It strengthens the heart, increases blood flow, keeps blood vessels open, and lowers both blood pressure and the blood pressure reaction to stress.

Slide 27 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Aerobic Exercise & Stress Research has linked aerobic exercise to higher levels of neurotransmitters that boost moods, to enhanced cognitive abilities, and to the growth of new brain cells in mice. One estimate suggests that moderate exercise adds two years to one’s expected life.

Slide 28 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Alzheimer's Disease Dementia: global term; Alzheimer is one form Progressive, irreversible brain disorder with gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and, eventually, physical function – Rate increasing in U.S.; no cure – Causes not fully identified; early and late onset – Age and genes play a role – Healthy lifestyle, medication can slow progression Health, Illness, and Disease

Slide 29 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Alzheimer's Disease – Early detection: MCI and special brain scans – Drug treatment and combinations – Caring for patients is exhausting, some respite care available Parkinson disease – Another type of dementia, no cure – Chronic and progressive, triggered by loss of dopamine production in brain – Drug treatment loses effect over time Health, Illness, and Disease

Slide 30 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Health Treatment for Older Adults Important factors for residents – Feelings of control and self-determination – Alert, responsive, caring staff – Effective coping skills – Opportunities to make choices – Positive staff, absent of stereotyping beliefs – Active role in medical encounters Health, Illness, and Disease

Slide 31 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Infancy Breastfeeding versus Bottle-Feeding Benefits of breastfeeding: Nutrition and Eating Behavior –Denser bones in childhood –Reduced risk of SIDS –Advanced neurological, cognitive development –Better vision acuity –Appropriate weight gain –Lowered risk of childhood obesity –Fewer allergies, lower risk of illnesses

Slide 32 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Infancy When breastfeeding is avoided – Physical difficulties – Lifestyle conditions – HIV virus Poor, developing countries – Few or no alternatives – Unsanitary health risks – Death rates linked to bottle-feeding Nutrition and Eating Behavior

Slide 33 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Nutrition in Childhood Poor nutrition is special concern for many low-income children in U.S. – Children showed more aggression, hyperactive and excessive motor behaviors Positive influences on nutrition and health – WIC program linked to reduced risk of obesity Nutrition and Eating Behavior

Slide 34 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Healthy and Unhealthy Eating Most children’s diets need improvement – Eating away from home, high fat foods – Unhealthy eating and being overweight – energy needs based on age, sex, and size – American culture encourages overeating – Children’s BMI continues to increase Good diet can have long-term effects – Include low fat foods, milk, vegetables, eaten with family away from TV Nutrition and Eating Behavior

Slide 35 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Childhood Obesity Consequences of Obesity – Increases child’s risk of medical problems – Low self-esteem and depression common; has links to bullying Treatment of Obesity – Diet and exercise – Intervention and behavior modification through numerous programs Problem among adolescents Nutrition and Eating Behavior

Slide 36 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Eating disorders Anorexia Nervosa — relentless pursuit of thinness through starvation – Most are white females from well-educated, middle- and upper-income families – Competitive families, high achievement goals – Media and American culture fashion image Bulimia Nervosa — individual consistently follows a binge-purge eating pattern – 90% are women; 70% recovery rate Nutrition and Eating Behavior

Slide 37 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Adult Development and Aging Obesity – Heredity and environmental influences – Link to health problems; rates increasing Dieting – Restrained eating — individuals chronically restrict food intake to control their weight – Concern for fad diets and obsession with thinness – Most effective programs include exercise Harms and benefits of dieting Nutrition and Eating Behavior

Slide 38 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Questions About Aging and Nutrition Calorie Restriction and Longevity – Animal studies: restriction increases life span – Restriction slows aging from oxidation stress – Very-low-calorie diets effects unknown Vitamin-and-Aging Controversy – Antioxidant supplements may slow aging process – No evidence antioxidants increase life span – Vitamin supplements still controversial Nutrition and Eating Behavior

Slide 39 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Childhood and Adolescence Concern: lack of exercise and obesity – Boys more physically active at all ages than girls – Effects of TV watching, computers, video games – Childhood habits continue in adolescence – Ethnic differences in exercise activity Getting children and adolescents to exercise – More physical activity programs at school – Plan community and school exercise activities – Encourage families to focus on physical activity Exercise

Slide 40 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Exercise in Adulthood Moderate and intense exercise may produce important physical and psychological gains – Prevention of heart disease, live longer – Aerobic exercise: sustained activity that stimulates heart and lung functioning (e.g. jogging, cycling) – Exercising enough to burn more than 2,000 calories a week can cut risk of heart attack by two-thirds –Exercise aids mental and physical health Exercise

Slide 41 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Ways to Get Yourself to Exercise More Reduce TV time Chart your progress Get rid of excuses – Eliminate “I don’t have time” by making exercise a priority Imagine the alternative Learn more about exercise Exercise

Slide 42 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Aging and Longevity Exercise benefits: –Related to preventing and treating disability –Counteract side effects of standard medical care, improve quality- of-life and outcomes –Linked to increased longevity Exercise –Minimize physiological changes in aging, health –Optimize body composition –Related to prevention of common chronic diseases –Associated with improved treatment of diseases

Slide 43 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood Cigarette smoking –The most serious but preventable problem –Smoking begins in grades 7 through 9 Painkillers –2004: 18% of U.S. adolescents report use –Main source: home or friends –Lower SES at higher risk Substance Abuse

Slide 44 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Drinking has declined among U.S. adolescents, but rates still high – 19 percent of eighth graders, 48 percent of high school seniors drank in past 30 days – Binge drinking, mostly males Smoking has declined heavily – Prices, anti-tobacco ads, social disapproval – Can cause permanent genetic lung changes Roles of parents and peers Substance Use Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood

Slide 45 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Substance Abuse in Older Adults Smoking and lung cancer risk decreasing; cigarette and cigar smoking still a concern Alcohol use declines – Majority of 65 and over abstain completely Substance Use

Slide 46 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Substance Abuse in Older Adults “Invisible Epidemic” of illicit and prescription drug abuse that goes undetected – Multiple medications – Mixing medicines with alcohol – Consequences may be attributed to other medical or psychological conditions Substance Use

Slide 47 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. The End 4