Unit 4 - health psychology (psych)

FINAL TOPIC! you got this, not long now - push through and achieve what i know you can :)

Stress

The non-specific response of the body to any demand

• Demands can be psychological or physiological

• To experience stress, a stressor must be present

• Stress is experienced when a person perceives that the demand of the stressor exceed their ability to cope

Two types of stress (Selye, 1936)

1. Distress

2. Eustress

1. Distress (Two types of stress (Selye, 1936))

The negative psychological response to a stressor as indicated by the presence of negative psychological states

• Impedes ability to perform at an optimal level

• Can lead to health risks

• e.g. death of a loved one, financial difficulties, conflict

2. Eustress (Two types of stress (Selye, 1936))

The positive psychological response to a stressor as indicated by the presence of positive psychological states

• Occurs when when there is stress, yet a feeling of being capable to overcome

• Increases alertness and energy levels, leading to optimum performance

• It is normally enjoyable + can motivate behaviour

• e.g. exam, graduating, driving test, starting a new job, interview, skydiving, etc

Stressor

Any person, object or event that challenges or threatens an individual, thus causing feelings of stress

*they are sources of stress

4 types of stressors (Selye, 1936)

1. Environmental stressors

2. Psychological stressors

3. Social stressors

4. Cultural stressors

1. Environmental stressors (4 types of stressors (Selye, 1936))

The conditions and physical surroundings of an individual

• e.g. noise, temperature, smell, pollution, natural disasters, war, etc

2. Psychological stressors (4 types of stressors (Selye, 1936))

Caused by emotional and cognitive factors

• e.g. graduating, new job, buying a house, pressure at work, driving test, etc

3. Social stressors (4 types of stressors (Selye, 1936))

Stems from relationships and interactions with society

• e.g. peer pressure and conflict with family and friends

4. Cultural stressors (4 types of stressors (Selye, 1936))

Cultural identity, values and cultural norms

• e.g. discrimination or loss of cultural practices

3 characteristics of stressors

• Nature: types of stressors (4 types)

• Duration: time frame - short term or long term

• Strength: the severity/intensity of the stressor

Stress as a response

The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model is used to describe the physiological changes that the body automatically goes through when it responds to stress.

2 physiological changes when exposed to a stressor and experience stress

• Heart rate increases

• Breathing rate increases

3 stages of the GAS model (Selye, 1936)

1. Alarm

2. Resistance

3. Exhaustion

1. Alarm - 3 stages of the GAS model (Selye, 1936)

• This is an initial response to a stressor (4 types). The alarm stage has 2 substages

  1. Shock: the body’s resistance drops below normal. It responds as if it has been injured

  2. Countershock: the sympathetic NS activates to prepare for fight or flight

• The amygdala detects threat and signals the hypothalamus = SNS

• Triggers the release of adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol (stress hormones)

*countershock occurs 6-48 hours after initial stressor is detected

2. Resistance - 3 stages of the GAS model (Selye, 1936)

• If the stressor remains, the body enters a resistance stage as it attempts to restabilise its internal systems and fight the stressor

• The parasympathetic NS begins to counteract the heightened arousal

• Stress hormones continue to be secreted to help the body cope

• Energy is directed to managing the stress

3. Exhaustion - 3 stages of the GAS model (Selye, 1936)

• Occurs if the stressor continues for a prolonged period

• The body’s resources become depleted, leading to…

  • fatigue, low motivation, impaired immunity, and increased risk of mental illness and physical illness

• The adrenal glands lose effectiveness, blood sugar drops and physical health declines

Stress as a stimulus

Holmes and Rahe (1967) described stress as a significant change in life that requires a response or adjustment to be made.

Social Readjustment Scale (SRS) - Holmes and Rahe, 1967

*also referred to as the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale

• Assesses amount of stress that has been experienced by an individual in the past year

• Comprises of 43 life events - a score of 1 to 100 is allocated to each event

• Score = life change unit (LCU). It estimates the amount of response and readjustment required if the event is experienced

• Individual receives a score based on their total stress readjustment

Social Readjustment Scale (SRS) - Holmes and Rahe, 1967