Stress, Coping and Health

What causes stress? Can be a variety of things that cause stress. There are different models that explain stress too.

Models Biopsychosocial model: Physical illness is due to biological, psychological and sociocultural factors. Health psychology- deals with issues of health and causation, prevention and treatment of illness.

Definition Any circumstances that threaten or are perceived to threaten one’s well- being and tax one’s coping abilities.

Appraisal Stress is up to the individual and there are many factors that contribute to the feelings of stress. Some people are more prone than others: Neurotic Anxious Unhappy people

Major Types of Stress Frustration: Whenever the pursuit of some goal is thwarted Conflict: When two or more incompatible motivations or behavioral impulses compete for expression. High levels are associated with anxiety, depression and physical symptoms. There are three types: approach- approach, avoidance-avoidance, and approach-avoidance.

Approach- Approach The least stressful type. Being torn between two equally appealing choices that causes conflict. For example: Choosing between two colleges that both offer you a scholarship.

Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict Forced to choose between two negative alternatives. The “lesser of two evils”. Pain vs. surgery

Approach-Avoidance Conflict A choice must be made about whether to pursue a single goal that has both attractive and unattractive aspects. If you get a great new job but the commute is very long or you have to move. Often produces vacillation or indecision

More Stressors Change: life changes are any noticeable alterations in one’s living circumstances that require readjustment. Holmes and Rahe: Social Readjustment Rating Scale Pressure: Expectations or demands that one behave in a certain way. Workers on commission, comedians to be funny etc.

Responding To Stress Three processes: 1. Emotional response- Cognitive reactions to stress Annoyance, anger, rage Apprehension, anxiety and fear Dejection, sadness and grief

More Responses 2. Physiological response- flight or flight (Hans Selye’s General Adaptation syndrome 2. Behavioral response- Coping mechanisms; learned helplessness, self blame, self indulgence, aggression.

Stress and Health Psychosomatic Disease Type A personality: Strongly competitive, impatience, anger, and hostility, ambitious, hard working, perfectionists, time conscious. Brief delays easy to irritate and anger. Type B personality: Relatively relaxed, patient, easygoing, less hurried, less competitive Depression/heart disease Illness related to stress- cancer, back pain, cold, epilepsy

Stress Moderating Factors Social Support- Aid provided by your social network. Optimism- a general tendency to expect good outcomes

Health Impairing Behavior Smoking Poor Nutrition Lack of Exercise Alcohol and Drug Use

PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder- Major traumatic event Victims of war, rape, severe automobile accident, natural disaster or witnessing someone’s death Nightmares, flashbacks, alienation, problems in social relationships, anxiety, anger and guilt