Stress & Coping

Stress

Psychological, emotional, or physical response and adaptation to real or perceived changes and challenges.

Stressor

Any event, experience, or environmental stimulus that causes stress in an individual.

Eustress

Positive stress that is associated with accomplishment or achievement and generally produces feelings of well-being.

Distress

Negative or unhealthy stress that can lead to physical and emotional fatigue.

Fight-or-flight response

Physiological reaction initiated by the brain when a threat is perceived, leading to specific hormonal and body changes.

Amygdala

The center for emotions and motivation in the brain that interprets potential threats.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)

Hormone released by the hypothalamus that stimulates the adrenal response during stress.

Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body to respond to stress.

Parasympathetic nervous system

The part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body down after stress.

Chronic stress

Continuous activation of the stress response that can lead to severe health issues.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

A three-stage response to stress involving alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Alarm Stage

Initial reaction to a stressor, characterized by heightened physiological responses.

Resistance Stage

Body attempts to resist stressors and seek homeostasis, but does not fully restore balance.

Exhaustion Stage

The body’s capacity to withstand stress is depleted, leading to illness or disease.

Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping (TTSC)

Describes stress as a dynamic process influenced by how individuals appraise stressors.

Primary appraisal

Initial assessment of whether a situation poses a threat.

Secondary appraisal

Evaluation of the resources available to cope with the identified threat.

Acute stress

Short-term stress that triggers a quick physiological response.

Episodic acute stress

Frequent bouts of acute stress often associated with a disorganized lifestyle.

Traumatic stress

Stress resulting from extreme events, potentially leading to PTSD.

Psychological stressors

Events or situations that an individual interprets as negative or threatening.

Physiological stress

Stress associated with injury, illness, or extreme conditions.

Health promotion

Activities aimed at improving health and reducing stress through lifestyle changes.

Mindfulness

The practice of being fully present and aware of current experiences to reduce stress.

Complementary therapies

Alternative methods, such as massage or meditation, used to manage stress and enhance health.

Journaling

Writing about thoughts and feelings to process stress and promote mental health.

Coping strategies

Deliberate methods used to manage stress effectively.

Reactive coping

Responses that occur after encountering a stressor.

Proactive coping

Actions taken to prevent or mitigate potential future stressors.

Defense mechanisms

Subconscious strategies to protect self-esteem and manage anxiety.

Self-awareness

Being conscious of one’s thoughts and feelings to manage stress effectively.

Resilience

The ability to bounce back from adversity and adapt positively to stress.

Psychiatric emergencies

Acute mental health episodes requiring immediate intervention.

Crisis intervention

A process focused on providing immediate support during a crisis.

Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

A self-report tool measuring how unpredictable and overwhelming one's life feels.

Therapeutic communication

Communication techniques that promote understanding and trust in nurse-client relationships.

Allostasis

The process by which the body responds to stressors in a way that maintains stability.

Chronic cortisol elevation

Long-term high levels of the stress hormone cortisol that can suppress immunity.

Coping styles

Enduring characteristics that shape how a person responds to stress.

Adaptive coping

Coping strategies that help manage stress in the short and long term.

Maladaptive coping

Coping behaviors that reduce stress temporarily but increase problems over time.

Client advocacy

The act of supporting and protecting the interests of clients in health care.

Nursing process

A systematic approach to assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating client care.

Crisis

A threatening situation requiring significant emotional or behavioral responses.

Work-related stress

Stress arising from demands and responsibilities in a work environment.

Compassion fatigue

Emotional exhaustion often experienced by those who care for others in distress.

Moral distress

Conflict experienced when professional actions contradict personal or ethical beliefs.