applications of psychology to health

stress definition (Selye)

non-specific response of the body to any demand for change

types of stress

DISTRESS = causes anxiety or concern
short or long term
unpleasant
decreases performance
can lead to mental and physical problems

EUSTRESS = motivates and focuses energy
short term
improves performance
powerful motivator

types of stressors

environmental = arise from an individuals conditions and surrounding environment

psychological = caused by emotional + cognitive factors

cultural = emerge from differing cultures, values, identity and norms

social = stems from relationships + societal interactions

characteristics of stressors

nature = environmental, psychological etc.

duration = acute or chronic

strength = mild to severe

stress as a response

Seyle 1936, 1983

general adaptation syndrome model

researched on rats —> exposed them to stressors such as heat and toxins

mechanism called adaptation where body responds to both eustress + distress

involuntary physiological change = e.g. increased heart rate and breathing rate

sympathetic nervous system

stages of the gas model

three phases:

1. alarm = the initial response to a stressor

   shock = stress resistance drops below normal

   countershock = the activation of the sympathetic nervous system - leads to physiological effects

2. resistance = if stressful situation is not present - PNS returns body to normal state

3. exhaustion = happens when there is extended stress and is the result of extended/ chronic stress

stress as a stimulus (Holmes and Rahe)

significant life event or change that demands response, adjustment or adaptation

used the medical records of 5,000 patients

43 common events

social readjustment rating scale (SRRS)

measures the intensity of anticipated readjustment

positively associated with negative affect —> higher value = greater adjustment required

limitations of stress as a response

based on studies done on animals

assumes stress is physiologically uniform

doesn’t account for psychological factors e.g. cognitive appraisal

limitations of stress as a stimulus

assumes change is inherently stressful

assumes life events demand the same level of adjustment across the population

assumes there is a common threshold of adjustment beyond which illness results

ignores factors e.g. learning, environment, support, personality, experiences

stress as a transaction

product of a transaction/ interaction between a person and their complex environment

depends on appraisal of the stressor and their ability to cope with it

Positive Dangerous Irrelevant (1st level = significance/ threat)

PRIMARY APPRAISAL

Insufficient Resources Sufficient Resources (2nd level = How can I cope?)

SECONDARY APPRAISAL

RESULTS IN STRESS

methods of coping

problem focused = changing the situation

emotion focused = change the interpretation

strengths and limitations of stress as a transaction

STRENGTHS

acknowledges stress as subjective

explains role of personal interpretation + appraisal

highlights that people can change their appraisal of a stressor

LIMITATIONS

difficult to experimentally evaluate

primary + secondary appraisals can influence each other and can be undertaken simultaneously

overlooks physiological factors

stress coping strategies

ADAPTIVE = problem focused —> confront + deal with demands

positive appraisal/ reframing - e.g. opportunity for growth

seeking social support

e.g. engaging in behaviours that support mental health

MALADAPTIVE = unproductive/ incessant without reducing source

repression/ avoidance - inhibit thoughts, feelings, stress

aggression/ blame - transfer responsibility to others