COBT 126: Understanding and Managing Stress in Correctional Settings

Vocabulary flashcards covering core stress terminology, stress categories, personality types, coping mechanisms, support structures, and physical health definitions from COBT 126.

Stress

How the brain and body respond to any demand that poses an actual or perceived threat to our physical health, mental health, or well-being.

Acute stress

The most common type of stress, which occurs for short periods of time (3 days), is easily manageable, and resolves when the stressor is no longer present.

Distress

A type of acute stress that is negative.

Eustress

A type of acute stress that is positive.

Episodic stress

Stress that occurs when acute stress reoccurs frequently and becomes a common occurrence, resulting from ineffective stress management techniques or improper coping skills.

Chronic stress

Stress that results from prolonged pressure and affects the immune system and mental health.

Post-Traumatic stress

Stress resulting from an event or series of events that can impact our minds for a long time.

Hypervigilance

A heightened state of alert sensitivity in order to maintain a safe environment.

"Type A" personalities

Personalities that are rushed, ambitious, time-conscious, and driven, which can lead to stress-related illnesses if not properly managed.

"Type B" personalities

Personalities that are much more relaxed, less time conscious, can view things more adaptively, are better able to put things into perspective, tend to think through situations, and are less stress prone.

Problem-focus coping style

A coping style that focuses on the source of the problem and how to go about tackling and changing it.

Emotion-focus coping style

A coping style concerned primarily with managing the emotional responses to what is seen as a stressful event or situation.

Self-Efficacy Expectancies

The individual's confidence in his or her ability to cope effectively.

Social Supports

A network of friends, family, and people who love and care about you and comfort you to help keep you from feeling isolated and lonely.

Community Resources

Community based programs and resources to help improve health outcomes, reduce stress, help with problem-solving, and provide information, services, and assistance to benefit people's lives.

Fitness

One's ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness without undue fatigue and with ample energy to engage in leisure time pursuits, meeting the above average physical stresses encountered during an emergency situation.

Wellness

The dynamic process of becoming aware of, taking responsibility for, and making choices that directly contribute to one's well-being and that of the common good; the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort.