1. Stress and Resilience
Ryan M. Denney, Ph.D.

2. Stress
When perceived demands exceed perceived resources

3. Root Stressors Frustration Change Pressure
Blocking of a desired goal (traffic)
Change
In environment or within one’s self
Pressure
Expectations or demands that one behave in a certain way
Conflict
Researchers have discovered that minor stresses, as well as major stresses, may have significantly harmful effects on physical and mental health.
Psychologists have outlined 4 principle types of stress.
Frustration occurs in any situation in which the pursuit of some goal is thwarted (Ex. traffic jams).
Life changes are any noticeable alterations in one’s living circumstances that require readjustment. Holmes and Rahe (1967) developed the Social Readjustment Rating Scale to measure life change as a form of stress, giving higher points (life change units) for more stressful events.
College Undergraduate Stress Scale
Similar to Rahe’s Social Readjustment Rating Scale
Average scores about 1247
Females higher scores than males
300+ units, 26% received Ds and Fs as final course grades
, 17%
0-149, 12%
Pressure involves expectations or demands that one behave in a certain way…pressure to perform or to comply.

4. Stressors Intervening factors Stress reactions Trauma Life changes
Failures
Disappointments
Intervening
factors
Appraisal
Perceived control
Personality
Social support
Coping behaviors
Stress
reactions
Physiological
Emotional
Behavioral

5. Cognitive Appraisal If only it really worked like this…how simple life would be.
A Activating Event
B Belief System
C Consequence
Stress:
Someone stands you up on a date you were looking forward to.
Irrational: I will never find anyone. I am a worthless person!
Angry, anxious, rejected
Rational:
I have other options. I’ll find something else to do this weekend.
Annoyed but remain hopeful

6. Cognitive Interpretations of Events—Three Axes or Continua
Personalization
internal vs. external
Me/Not me
Pervasiveness
specific vs. universal
Always/Not always
Permanence
temporary vs. permanent
Everything/Not everything

7. Multidimensional Stress Responses