PSYCH ATAR: Stress

unit 4: stress

define stress (WACE)

a person’s response to situations where the demands of the task/activity exceed resources available.

define stress (Selye, 1936)

The non-specific response of the body to any demand for change.

types of stress (selye, 1983)

1. eustress

2. distress

define eustress

positive results that results from challenging but attainable and enjoyable or worthwhile tasks.

define distress

negative stress that results from being overwhelmed by demands, losses, or perceived threats.

define stressor

any person, object, or event that challenges or threatens them, causing a feeling of stress.

define internal stressor

factors that originate within a person, biological or psychological.

define external stressor

  factors that original outside the body, either cultural, social, or physical environmental conditions and are forces that cannot be controlled.

types of stressors

1. environmental

2. psychological

3. social

4. cultural

environmental stressors

external conditions and physical surroundings that can affect an individual’s wellbeing.

examples:

o   Natural disasters

o   Pollution

o   Climate conditions

o   Urbanisation

psychological stressors

caused by cognitive and emotion factors, internal and often related to an individual thought, emotions & mental health.

example:

o   Work pressure

o   Academic challenges

o   Personal expectations

o   Mental health issues

 

social stressors

arise from interactions with others.

example:

o   Interpersonal conflicts

o   Social isolation

o   Relationship changes

o   Peer pressure

cultural stressors

   societal norms, values, cultural expectations.

example:

o   Discrimination & prejudice

o   Cultural assimilation

o   Socio-economic status

characteristics of stressors

1. nature

2. duration

3. strength

nature

any event, situation, or condition that triggers a physical or emotional reaction, leading to the body’s stress response and disrupt an individual’s normal state of balance or homeostasis. Stress can be categorised as environmental, psychological, or cultural.

duration

o   Acute stressors: short-term stressors that appear suddenly and have high intensity.

o   Chronic stressors: long-term stressors that persist over an extended period.

o   Episodic acute stressor: frequent occurrence of an acute stressor.

strength

o   Mid stressors: low-intensity stressors that might cause minor disruptions but are generally manageable.

o   Moderate stressors: moderate intensity and can disrupt normal functioning to a more significant extent.

o Severe stressors: high-intensity stressors that can cause substantial disruptions and that a significant impact on an individual’s well-being.

models of stress: General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), (Selye, 1936, 1983)

3 stages

1. alarm

2. resistance

3. exhaustion

alarm stage

sympathetic nervous system is activated which prepares the body for increased body activity during heightened physical and emotional arousal.

resistance stage

parasympathetic nervous system reverses the effects of the sympathetic NS to allow the body to restore its resources and repair itself.

exhaustion