Stress

Stress

Tension, discomfort, or physical symptoms resulting from a stressor exceeding our coping abilities

4 Major Components of Stress

1. Emotional

2. Physiological

3. Behaviour

4. Cognitive

Trauma

Severe stress leading to long-term psychological or health effects

Two Types of Trauma

1. Individual

2. Collective: Trauma experienced by a society

Social Readjustment Rating Scale

Ranking the number of particularly stressful events.

Hassles

Minor annoyances that strain our ability to cope can impact us as well

Why are hassles better for monitoring stress?

They are more consistent, have a cumulative effect, and less predictable

Hassles and Uplifts Scale:

53-item questionnaire that asks individuals to evaluate positive and negative experiences that occur in everyday life

2 Durations of Stress

1. Acute: Shorter with clear endpoint

2. Chronic: Longer with no clear endpoint

Stress as a transaction

A person's capacity to cope and adjust to challenges and problems is a consequence of ‘transactions’ that occur between a person and their environment

Problem-Focused Coping

Coping strategy involving problem-solving and facing challenges directly

Emotion-Focused Coping

Coping strategy focusing on positive emotions and behaviors to reduce painful feelings

Psychological Reactions to Stress

Feelings of hopelessness, depression, worry,

Physiological Reactions to Stress

Increased heart rate, rapid breathing, tense muscles