7 - health, stress and coping

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

A theory describing physical, psychological, cognitive, and emotional responses to stress

Alarm Reaction

Initial response to stress; activates fight or flight response with physiological changes (e.g., heart rate, GSR)

Resistance Stage

Body remains on alert with reduced but sustained physiological arousal to cope with ongoing stress

Exhaustion Stage

Prolonged stress leads to physiological breakdown and the need for recovery and repair

Fight or Flight Response

Instinctive reaction to perceived threats where the body prepares to confront or escape danger

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Describes the relationship between arousal (stress) and performance in an inverted U-shape

Low Arousal (Under-stress)

Leads to boredom, low motivation, poor focus, and reduced performance

Optimal Arousal (Moderate Stress)

Leads to peak performance, enhanced focus, and engagement (the “sweet spot”)

High Arousal (Over-stress)

Leads to anxiety, panic, impaired focus, and decreased performance

Stress Response Types

Behavioural, Cognitive, Emotional, Psychological

Behavioural Responses

Observable actions or habits that change in response to stress (e.g., substance use, sleep changes, self-harm)

Cognitive Responses

Negative thinking styles including rumination, catastrophising, mental set, and functional fixedness

Emotional Responses

Atypical emotional reactions such as outbursts, suppression, prolonged emotions, and lack of control

Trait Theory of Personality

Suggests individual personality traits (e.g., conscientiousness, tenseness, flexibility, risk-seeking) influence stress response

Mental Health

Psychological condition involving serious impacts like stress, depression, and anxiety that affect thoughts, emotions, and behaviour

Wellbeing

Ability to manage daily, predictable challenges; includes emotional regulation, sleep, and relationships

Sources of Wellbeing

Relationship wellbeing, friends and family, professional wellbeing

Professional Mental Health (Tidal Wave)

Focuses on severe mental health issues (e.g., PTSD); reactive in nature; responds to major stressors

Professional Wellbeing (Erosion)

Focuses on daily stressors unique to professions; proactive in identifying/responding to small but persistent challenges

Wellbeing Challenges for Prison Officers

High presenteeism, absenteeism, high turnover due to ongoing work stress

Environmental Threat

Perception that physical safety is at risk in the workplace

Environmental Unpredictability

Perception that the workplace is erratic and unstable

Expectation of Workplace Trauma

Belief that exposure to traumatic events is likely

Need for Vigilance

Ongoing expectation to remain hyper-aware during work

Inability to Achieve Workplace Respite

Most stressful factor; inability to mentally and physically disengage while on duty

Action Consequence

Belief that workplace decisions carry high-risk consequences for self and others

Adaptive Responses to Prison Work Stress

Tendencies to cope via interpersonal (social), cognitive (mental strategies), or behavioural (action-based) approaches

Interpersonal Response

Coping by seeking social interaction or support

Cognitive Response

Coping using mental strategies like cognitive restructuring or downward comparisons

Behavioural Response

Coping through actions such as symbolically disconnecting from work (e.g., removing regalia)