Health Psychology – Stress and Coping (Chapter 8)

30 question-and-answer flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on acculturative stress, patterns of cultural adaptation, psychosomatic disorders, biofeedback, personality types related to health, and a variety of stress-management techniques.

What is acculturative stress?

Stress experienced while adapting to a foreign culture.

In cultural adaptation, what does the pattern of integration involve and how stressful is it?

Maintaining one’s original cultural identity while actively participating in the new culture; it is minimally stressful.

What does the separation pattern of cultural adaptation entail and what is its stress level?

Maintaining one’s old cultural identity while avoiding contact with the new culture; it is highly stressful.

What characterizes the assimilation pattern of cultural adaptation, and how stressful is it?

Adopting the new culture as one’s own and having contact with its members; it is moderately stressful.

What happens in marginalization during cultural adaptation, and how stressful is it?

Rejecting one’s old culture while also being rejected by the new culture; it is highly stressful.

Define a psychosomatic disorder.

A disorder in which psychological factors cause real bodily damage or harmful changes in bodily functioning.

Which bodily systems most commonly present complaints in psychosomatic disorders?

Respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.

How is a psychosomatic disorder different from hypochondria?

Psychosomatic disorders involve real physical changes, whereas hypochondriacs merely imagine they have diseases.

What is biofeedback?

The use of informational feedback to gain voluntary control over bodily processes such as blood pressure and heart rate.

List two health problems that biofeedback can help relieve.

Muscle-tension headaches and migraine headaches (also chronic pain).

Why may relaxation benefits arise during biofeedback training?

Because the technique encourages general relaxation and supports self-regulation.

Describe the Type A (cardiac) personality.

A personality marked by time urgency, chronic anger or hostility, and an elevated risk for heart disease.

Which component of Type A behavior is considered the key factor in heart-disease risk?

Anger or hostility.

What defines a Type B personality?

A personality that lacks Type A characteristics and is therefore less prone to heart attacks.

What is a hardy personality?

A personality unusually resistant to stress, marked by commitment, a sense of control, and viewing life as a series of challenges.

Define stress management.

The use of cognitive and behavioral strategies to reduce stress and improve coping skills.

How does exercise help manage bodily reactions to stress?

It dissipates stress-based physiological arousal through full-body activity.

What is meditation in the context of stress management?

A practice that quiets the body and promotes relaxation.

Explain progressive relaxation.

Tensing then relaxing muscle groups to produce deep bodily relaxation.

What is guided imagery?

Visualizing calming or beneficial images to induce relaxation.

How can “slowing down” modify ineffective, stress-producing behavior?

By deliberately performing tasks at a slower pace to reduce time pressure and tension.

Why does organization help lower stress?

Because disorganization creates confusion and additional stressors.

What does it mean to "strike a balance" for stress control?

Ensuring no single life element (e.g., work or school) dominates to the point of causing damaging stress.

Why is it important to recognize and accept your limits?

Setting gradual, achievable goals prevents overload and reduces stress.

How does seeking social support benefit stress management?

Close, positive relationships enhance health and morale, easing stress.

What stress-related benefit comes from writing about your feelings?

It improves coping with upsetting experiences and reduces stress.

Define stress inoculation.

The internal use of positive coping statements to counter fear, anxiety, and negative self-talk.

What are coping statements?

Reassuring, self-enhancing thoughts used to stop self-critical or negative thinking.

How can humor serve as a stress-reduction tool?

Cultivating humor lightens mood, shifts perspective, and lowers stress.