Atar Psychology : Stress

Unit 4, Topic; stress

define stress - psychological definition

a person’s response to situations where the demands of the task/activity exceed resources available.

define stress - Selye, 1936

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

define eustress (selye, 1983)

positive stress that results from challenging but attainable and enjoyable or worthwhile tasks.

define distress (selye, 1983)

negative stress that results from being overwhelmed by demands, losses, or perceived threats.

types of stresssors

1. environmental

2. psychological

3. social

4. cultural

environmental stressors

definition: external conditions and physical surroundings that can affect an individual’s wellbeing.

example:

o   Natural disasters

o   Pollution

o   Climate conditions

o   Urbanisation

psychological stressors

definition: caused by cognitive and emotion factors, internal and often related to an individual thought, emotions & mental health.

o   Work pressure

o   Academic challenges

o   Personal expectations

o   Mental health issues

social stressors

definition: arise from interactions with others.

o   Interpersonal conflicts

o   Social isolation

o   Relationship changes

o   Peer pressure

cultural stressors

definition:  societal norms, values, cultural expectations.

o   Discrimination & prejudice

o   Cultural assimilation

o   Socio-economic status

characteristics of stressors

1. nature

2. duration - acute, chronic, episodic acute.

3. strength - mid, moderate, severe.

nature

any event, situation, or condition that triggers a physical or emotional reaction, leading to the body’s stress response and disrupt an individual’s normal state of balance or homeostasis. Stress can be categorised as environmental, psychological, or cultural.

duration — acute, chronic, episodic acute

o   Acute stressors: short-term stressors that appear suddenly and have high intensity.

o   Chronic stressors: long-term stressors that persist over an extended period.

o   Episodic acute stressor: frequent occurrence of an acute stressor.

strength

o   Mid stressors: low-intensity stressors that might cause minor disruptions but are generally manageable.

o   Moderate stressors: moderate intensity and can disrupt normal functioning to a more significant extent.

Severe stressors: high-intensity stressors that can cause substantial disruptions and that a significant impact on an individual’s well-being.

Stress as a response – General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) Model (Selye, 1936, 1983).

stages

1. alarm

2. resistance

3. exhaustion

Alarm stage

definition: sympathetic nervous system is activated which prepares the body for increased activity during heightened physical and emotional arousal.

Physiological response

-              Increased heart rate

-              Rapid breathing

-              Elevated blood pressure

-              Heightened alertness

Resistance stage

definition: parasympathetic nervous system reverses the effects of the sympathetic NS to allow body to restore its resources and repair itself.

Physiological response

-  Heart rate & blood pressure return to prestress levels.

-  Release of stress hormone

-   Attempt to repair damage caused by the stressor

-  Sustained energy levels

Exhaustion stage

definition: body’s resources are depleted, no longer maintain normal function, results in significant physical & mental health issue.

Physiological response

-              Fatigue

-              Weakened immune

-              Increased risk of illness

-              Burnout

-              Long-term damage to bodily systems

Stress as a stimulus – Social Readjustment Scale (Holmes and Rahe, 1967).

o   developed to quantify the impact of life events (stressors) on an individual’s health, based on the hypothesis that life changes, which necessitate social readjustment, are potential sources of stress.

o   Scale lists various life events and assigns each a numerical value reflecting that amount of adjustment required.

o   Each lift event is assigned a specific of ‘Life Change Units’ (LCU) which represent the relative amount of stress it typically causes.

-              Death: 100 LCU’s

-              Divorce: 73 LCU’s

-              Job Loss: 47 LCU’s

-              Moving homes: 47 LCU’s

o   score of 150 LCU’s or below –low amount of life change and lower risk of stress-related health problems.

o   Score between 150-299 LCU’s – moderate level of stress, 50% risk of developing stress-related illnesses.

o   Score of 300 LCU’s or more suggests a high level of stress, 80% risk of experiencing health issues.

environmental stressors

definition: external events or conditions that pose a potential threat or demand.

individuals perception & response

definition: the individual’s subjective evaluation of the stressor and their resources for coping.

cognitive appraisal

1. primary appraisal

2. secondary appraisal

primary appraisal

define: the impact your stressor will have on your well-being.

§  Irrelevant: stress considered insignificant, doesn’t pose threat.

§  Benign- positive: stressor is perceived as potential beneficial.

§  Stressful: the stressor is seen as a potential harm, threat, challenge.

secondary appraisal

define: the resources that you have at your disposal that will help you to cope with the stressor. These might include internal resources or external resources.

• Internal resources: personal skills, knowledge, resilience.

•   External resources: social support, financial resources, external aids.

methods of coping

1. problem-based: the practical steps that you take to manage the problem.

2. emotion-based: how you manage your emotions when you become stressed.

problem-focused coping

define: : strategies aimed at addressing the root cause of the stressor, seeking to eliminate root cause of stressor, seeking to eliminate/reduce impact.

• Problem-solving, seeking info, planning, taking direct action.

emotion-focused coping

define: strategies aimed at managing the emotional response to the stressor than changing the stressor itself.

• Seeking emotional support, venting feelings, engaging in relaxation techniques, reframing the situation positively, accepting the reality of the stressor.

adaptive strategies

define: adaptive coping strategies are healthy and constructive ways of dealing with stress.

o   Problem-focused coping: attempt to confront and deal with the demands of the source to reduce the perceived threat.

o   Positive reappraisal/reframing: reframing thoughts to positive interpretations.

o   Seeking social support: seeking assistance from others and engaging in behaviours that support mental health.

maladaptive strategies

define: maladaptive coping strategies are unhealthy and destructive ways of dealing with stress.

o   Unproductive worry: engaging in incessant worry about the source of stress, without doing anything to reduce the source.

o   Repression/avoidance: seeking to inhibit thoughts, feelings, and emotions concerning the source, to disconnect from the entire situation.

o   Aggression/blame: seeking the transfer responsibility to others.

o   Substance abuse: using alcohol, drugs, or other substances to escape stress.