Chapter 14

Stress

Circumstances that threaten or are perceived to threaten one’s well-being, taxing coping abilities.

Cognitive Appraisal Model

Lazarus and Folkman’s model explaining how people assess stress through primary and secondary appraisals.

Acute Stress

Short-term stress with a clear endpoint.

Chronic Stress

Long-term stress with no definite resolution.

Frustration

Stress arising when goals are blocked.

Conflict

Struggles between incompatible motivations.

Pressure

Expectations to perform or conform.

General Adaptation Syndrome

Selye’s model describing the body’s three-stage response to stress: alarm, resistance, exhaustion.

Alarm Stage

Immediate activation of the sympathetic nervous system in response to stress.

Resistance Stage

Stage where the body adapts to prolonged stress but uses up energy reserves.

Exhaustion Stage

Stage where the body can no longer cope, leading to major health issues.

Fight-or-Flight Response

Physiological reaction preparing the body to respond to perceived threats.

Tend-and-Befriend

Stress response in women characterized by nurturing and seeking social support.

Emotional Arousal

Intensity of emotions experienced during stressful situations.

Adaptive Coping Strategies

Healthy ways of dealing with stress, such as problem-focused and emotion-focused coping.

Maladaptive Coping Strategies

Unhealthy ways of responding to stress, such as avoidance and substance abuse.

Learned Helplessness

A passive acceptance of stressors due to the belief of having no control over events.

Self-Compassion

Recognizing one's mistakes without excessive self-criticism to improve resilience.

Internet Addiction

Excessive use of the internet leading to negative impacts on daily life and health.

Defensive Coping

Unconscious strategies to shield oneself from stress-related emotions.

Constructive Coping

Healthful efforts to manage stress that can lead to increased resilience.

Burnout

State of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion often caused by prolonged stress.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Psychological disorder developing after exposure to extreme stress or trauma.

Chronic Inflammation

Long-term bodily response that can be linked to various diseases, triggered by persistent stress.

Social Support

Emotional and practical assistance from friends, family, and community that enhances well-being.

Optimism

General expectation that positive outcomes will occur, linked to better health outcomes.

Conscientiousness

Personality trait associated with self-discipline and organization, leading to better health.

Hardiness

Personality trait comprising commitment, control, and challenge aiding in effective stress coping.

Self-Esteem

One's sense of self-worth that influences how they respond to support and stress.

Coping Mechanisms

Strategies used to manage stress can be adaptive or maladaptive.

Relaxation Techniques

Methods such as meditation or deep breathing that help reduce physiological arousal.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

A program designed to reduce stress through mindfulness practices.

Exercise as Stress Management

Physical activity that helps reduce stress and promotes overall health.

Social Isolation

Lack of social connections leading to negative health effects.

Cognitive Restructuring

Changing negative thought patterns to improve stress management.

Physiological Responses to Stress

The body's physical reactions triggered by stress, such as increased heart rate.

Emotional Responses to Stress

Emotions triggered by stressful situations, which can be negative or sometimes positive.

Negative Self-Talk

Excessive self-blame and criticism that can lead to increased emotional distress.

Positive psychology

The study of positive emotions, strengths, and factors that contribute to human flourishing.

Resilience

The ability to recover from stress or adversity.

Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG)

Positive psychological change experienced as a result of adversity.

Oxytocin

A hormone that promotes bonding and social behaviors, involved in the tend-and-befriend response.

Types of Conflict

Three categories: approach-approach, avoidance-avoidance, and approach-avoidance.

Holmes and Rahe’s SRRS

A scale measuring stress based on life events requiring adaptation.

Chronic Stress Effects

Long-term stress leading to health issues like anxiety, depression, and weakened immune function.

Aging and Stress

The impact of stress on longevity and health as one ages.

Stress in the Workplace

Factors such as excessive workload that contribute to employee stress and burnout.

Psychosomatic Disorders

Physical illness caused or aggravated by mental factors such as stress.

Health Disparities

Differences in health outcomes experienced by different populations due to various factors.

Social Comparison Theory

The idea that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others.

Coping Appraisal

Evaluation of one's ability to cope with a stressor based on resources and skills.

Catastrophic Thinking

Exaggerating the severity of problems, leading to distress.

Behavioral Activation

Engaging in activities as a strategy to combat depression and improve mood.

Mindfulness Meditation

A practice focusing on the present moment and accepting thoughts without judgment.

Humor as Coping

Using humor to mitigate stress and enhance resilience.

Self-Care

Activities and practices that individuals engage in to reduce stress and enhance well-being.

Time Management

The practice of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities to reduce stress.

Resilience Training

Programs or interventions designed to improve an individual's ability to adapt and recover from stress effectively.

Stress-Relief Activities

Engaging in hobbies, exercise, or relaxation techniques that help alleviate stress.

Work-Life Balance

The equilibrium between an individual's work responsibilities and personal life, important for reducing stress.

Stress Management Techniques

Various methods, such as cognitive-behavioral strategies, aimed at reducing stress.

Support Networks

Groups of people who provide emotional and practical support to help individuals cope with stress.

Breathing Exercises

Techniques that involve focusing on breathing to help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Creative Outlets

Activities such as art, music, or writing that allow for self-expression and can help manage stress.

Mental Health Awareness

Understanding of mental health issues, including stress, and the importance of seeking help and resources.

Secondary Appraisal

The assessment of available resources and options to cope with a stressor.

Stress Tolerance

The ability to withstand stress without experiencing negative emotional or physical effects.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Coping strategies aimed at managing emotional responses to stress rather than changing the stressor itself.

Problem-Focused Coping

Coping strategies aimed at addressing the actual problem causing stress.

Coping Resources

Personal, social, and environmental factors that can aid in managing stress.

Stress Reappraisal

The process of reevaluating the meaning of a stressor and its potential effects.

Psychological Resilience

The capacity to maintain or regain psychological well-being in the face of adversity.

Social Support Systems

Networks that provide critical emotional, informational, and practical support during stressful times.

Mindfulness Practices

Techniques aimed at cultivating present-moment awareness, reducing stress through acceptance.

Physical Exercise

Activity that enhances physical fitness and reduces feelings of stress.

Avoidance Coping

A strategy that involves evading the stressor or the emotions associated with it, rather than confronting them.

Stress Hardiness

The ability to endure stress effectively by remaining committed and maintaining a sense of control.

Crisis Management

The process of dealing with a significant event or situation that poses a threat to health or well-being.

Mind-Body Connection

The relationship between a person's thoughts, emotions, and physical health.

Stress Inoculation Training

A cognitive-behavioral approach that prepares individuals for stressful situations by equipping them with coping skills.

Peer Support

Support provided by individuals with shared experiences, which can enhance coping abilities.

Therapeutic Techniques

Various methods used by mental health professionals to address stress and promote coping strategies.

Positive Affirmations

Statements that encourage a positive mindset and reduce stress through self-encouragement.

Conflict Resolution Skills

Techniques used to effectively resolve disputes and reduce stress related to disagreements.

Workplace Wellness Programs

Organized efforts by employers to promote health and reduce stress among employees.

Emotion Regulation

The ability to influence which emotions you have, when you have them, and how you experience and express them.

Coping Styles

Patterns of behavior or thought that people use to manage stress and emotional conflict.

Acceptance-based Coping

Acknowledging stressors and negative feelings without trying to change them.

Proactive Coping

Anticipating potential stressors and taking steps to prevent them.

Stress Management Plans

Structured strategies developed to mitigate stress and promote well-being.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

A therapeutic approach combining mindfulness practices with cognitive behavioral techniques.

Self-Reflection

The process of introspectively examining thoughts and feelings to improve emotional regulation.

Compassion-Focused Therapy

A therapy approach that aims to help improve self-esteem and emotional resilience through compassion.

Stress Audits

Systematic assessments of stress factors and coping mechanisms within a particular context.

Social Cognitive Theory

A theory that emphasizes the role of observational learning and social experiences in behavior.

Psychological Flexibility

The ability to adapt to situational demands and shift mental states effectively.

Post-Traumatic Stress Growth (PTSG)

Positive psychological changes that can occur after a traumatic event.

Self-Disclosure

The act of revealing personal information to others, which can enhance social support and reduce stress.

Behavioral Activation Therapy

A therapeutic approach that encourages engaging in positive activities to combat depression.

Nature Exposure

Interaction with natural environments, which can reduce stress and improve mental health.