Stress and Health Psychology Overview

Stress

Negative emotional and physical response to taxing events.

Cognitive Appraisal

Personal evaluation of an event's stressfulness.

Coping Strategies

Methods used to manage stress and challenges.

Health Psychology

Study of health influenced by biological and social factors.

Biopsychosocial Model

Health determined by biological, psychological, and social interactions.

Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)

Scale measuring stress from life events with numerical ratings.

Life Change Units

Numerical values assigned to life events' stress impact.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Anxiety disorder from traumatic events with intrusive thoughts.

Daily Hassles

Minor everyday events causing annoyance and stress.

Psychological Distress

Emotional suffering impacting mental health and well-being.

Cumulative Stressors

Accumulation of minor stressors leading to significant stress.

Burnout

Chronic stress response characterized by exhaustion and cynicism.

Work Overload

Job demands exceeding a worker's capacity to cope.

Sense of Community

Supportive workplace environment reducing stress and burnout.

Traumatic Events

Severe negative situations exceeding normal life expectations.

Anxiety Disorders

Mental health conditions with intense anxiety as a core.

Emotional Numbness

Reduced emotional responsiveness often following trauma.

Sleep Disturbances

Disruptions in sleep patterns related to stress or anxiety.

Irritability

Increased sensitivity and annoyance often due to stress.

Gender Differences in Stress

Variations in stress experience and frequency between genders.

Psychological Vulnerability

Increased risk of stress-related disorders in certain individuals.

Health-Related Behaviors

Actions influenced by health psychology impacting well-being.

Adaptation

Adjustment to changes or stressors in life.

Unhealthy Behaviors

Actions that negatively affect physical or mental health.

Resilience

Ability to recover from stress and adversity.

Chronic Stress

Ongoing stress due to a stressful environment.

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

Economic level affecting psychological health and stress.

Psychological Distress

Mental suffering from stress or adverse experiences.

Daily Hassles

Minor irritations contributing to overall stress levels.

Health Problems

Physical issues arising from prolonged stress exposure.

Sheldon Cohen Study

Study linking social status perception to virus infection.

Microaggressions

Subtle discrimination causing stress in minority groups.

Acculturative Stress

Stress from adapting to a new culture.

Acculturation Patterns

Four types: Integrated, Assimilated, Separation, Marginalized.

Mind-Body Connection

Link between stress and physical health effects.

Fight-or-Flight Response

Physiological reaction to perceived threats.

Walter Cannon

Physiologist who described the fight-or-flight response.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the nervous system activating stress responses.

Catecholamines

Hormones like adrenaline released during stress.

Hans Selye

Pioneer in stress research and General Adaptation Syndrome.

General Adaptation Syndrome

Three-stage response to prolonged stress: alarm, resistance, exhaustion.

Adrenal Glands

Glands that secrete hormones during stress responses.

Corticosteroids

Hormones released in response to long-term stress.

Cortisol

Primary corticosteroid involved in stress response.

Immune System Effects

Stress causes shrinkage of immune system glands.

Stomach Ulcers

Physical consequence of prolonged stress exposure.

Thymus Gland

Key immune system gland affected by stress.

Lymph Glands

Glands involved in immune response, shrink under stress.

Health Risks

Increased likelihood of stress-related health issues.

Racism and Discrimination

Major stressors for minority groups affecting health.

Telomeres

DNA sequences protecting chromosomes during cell division.

Chronic Stress

Long-term stress leading to psychological and physical issues.

Immune System

Body's defense system against pathogens and tumors.

Lymphocytes

Specialized white blood cells fighting infections.

Psychoneuroimmunology

Study of interactions between psychology, nervous, and immune systems.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of CNS influencing immune function and lymphocytes.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals transmitting signals in the nervous system.

Cortisol

Hormone released during stress affecting immune response.

Stressors

Events causing physical or psychological stress responses.

Placebo Effect

Benefits derived from non-active treatments or placebos.

Anterior Cingulate Cortex

Brain region activated during pain relief from placebos.

Healing Time

Duration for wounds to recover, affected by stress.

Acute Diseases

Short-term illnesses often exacerbated by stress.

Chronic Diseases

Long-lasting health conditions linked to prolonged stress.

Psychological Problems

Mental health issues arising from chronic stress exposure.

Health-related Habits

Lifestyle choices impacting overall physical health.

Heredity

Genetic factors influencing individual health risks.

Nutrition

Dietary factors affecting immune system and health.

Medical Care Access

Availability of healthcare services impacting health outcomes.

Infection Susceptibility

Increased risk of illness due to stress.

Wound Healing Study

Research showing stress delays recovery time by 40%.

Common Stressors

Everyday events negatively impacting immune function.

Negative Life Events

Adverse experiences affecting mental and physical health.

Stress and Aging

Chronic stress linked to premature aging processes.

Cognitive Expectations

Mental anticipations affecting pain perception.

Learned Associations

Connections formed through experience influencing responses.

Emotional Responses

Feelings impacting perception of pain.

Personal Control

Sense of agency reducing stress impact.

High-Control Group

Residents with choices in daily activities.

Low-Control Group

Residents with decisions made by staff.

Judith Rodin

Researcher studying control in nursing homes.

Ellen Langer

Co-researcher on control's effects on health.

Explanatory Style

How individuals interpret failures and setbacks.

Optimistic Explanatory Style

Positive interpretation leading to persistence.

Pessimistic Explanatory Style

Negative interpretation leading to giving up.

Martin Seligman

Psychologist studying explanatory styles and health.

Chronic Negative Emotions

Persistent feelings linked to chronic diseases.

Positive Emotions

Feelings associated with health benefits and longevity.

Type A Behavior Pattern

Characterized by urgency, hostility, and competitiveness.

Type B Behavior Pattern

Relaxed and laid-back behavioral style.

Meyer Friedman

Cardiologist studying behavior patterns and health.

Ray Rosenman

Co-researcher on Type A and heart disease.

Heart Disease Risk

Increased likelihood linked to Type A behavior.

Correlational Studies

Research showing relationships, not causation.

Personality Factors

Traits potentially influencing health outcomes.

Health Habits

Behaviors affecting overall physical well-being.

Prospective Studies

Long-term tracking of health and habits.

Stressors

External factors causing stress responses.

Longevity

Increased lifespan associated with positive emotions.

Resistance to Infection

Enhanced immunity linked to positive emotional states.