Chapter 12 Stress, Coping, and Health

Vocabulary

stress

stress

the tension, discomfort, or physical symptoms that arise when a situation, called a stressor—a type of stimulus—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 that follows primary appraisal

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 behaviors 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

fight-or-flight response

physical and psychological reaction that mobilizes people and animals to either defend themselves (fight) or escape (flee) a threatening situation

tend and befriend

reaction that mobilizes people to nurture (tend) or seek social support (befriend) 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

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

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

acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

a life-threatening, incurable, and yet treatable condition in which the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks and damages the immune system

psychoneuroimmunology

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

psychophysiological

a category of illnesses 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

Type A personality

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

health psychology

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

meditation

a variety of practices that train attention and awareness

yoga

physical, mental, and spiritual practices that include postures, meditation, breathing techniques, mental concentration, visualization or guided imagery, and relaxation exercises

acupuncture

ancient Chinese practice of inserting thin needles into one or more of 2,000 points in the body to alter energy forces believed to run through the body

homeopathic medicine

remedies that feature a small dose of an illness-inducing substance to activate the body’s own natural defenses