Stress, Coping, and Health

stress

the tension, discomfort, or physical symptoms that arise when a situation strains our ability to cope effectively

corticosteroid

stress hormone that activates the body and prepares us to respond to stressful circumstances

posttraumatic growth

the perception of beneficial change or personal transformation in the struggle to overcome adversity

primary appraisal

initial decision regarding whether an event is harmful

secondary appraisal

perceptions regarding our ability to cope with an event

problem-focused coping

coping strategy by which we problem solve and tackle life’s challenges head on

emotion-focused coping

coping strategy that features a positive outlook on feelings or situations accompanied by behaviours that reduce painful emotions

hassle

minor annoyance or nuisance that strains our ability to cope

general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

stress-response pattern proposed by Hans Selye that consists of three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion

tend and befriend

reaction that mobilizes people to nurture or seek social support under stress

social support

relationships with people groups, and the larger community that can provide us with emotional comfort and personal and financial resources

proactive coping

anticipation of problems and stressful situations that promotes effective coping

catharsis

expressing anger or other intense negative emotions to provide relief

hardiness

set of attitudes marked by a sense of control over events, commitment to life and work, and courage and motivation to confront stressful events

optimism

a tendency to view life’s events more positively

rumination

excessive, repetitive thoughts that interfere with other forms of mental activity

spirituality

search for the sacred, which may or may not extend to belief in God

immune system

our body’s defense system against invading bacteria, viruses, and other potentially illness-producing organisms and substances

psychoneuroimmunology

study of the relationship between the immune system and central nervous system

psychophysiological

a category of illness such as asthma and ulcers in which emotions and stress contribute to, maintain, or aggravate the physical condition

biopsychosocial perspective

the view that an illness or a medical condition is the product of the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors

coronary heart disease (CHD)

damage to the heart from the complete or partial blockage of the arteries that provide oxygen to the heart

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

a mental health condition that’s caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event

Type A personality

personality type that describes people who are competitive, driven, hostile and ambitious

health psychology

field of psychology, also behavioural medicine, that integrates the behavioural sciences with the practice medicine

aerobic exercise

exercise that promotes the use of oxygen in the body

alternative medicine

healthcare practices and products used in place of conventional medicine

complementary medicine or integrative health medicine

healthcare practices and products used together with conventional medicine

biofeedback

feedback by a device that provides almost an immediate output of a biological function, such as heart rate or skin temperature

personal inertia

the tendency to misestimate risk, and feelings of powerless

acquired immune deficiency sndrome (AIDS)

chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), making it difficult for the body to fight off infections and diseases.