Lect 2.1: Stress, Coping, Social Support, Resilence

Stress and Measurement of Stress

Stress: encompasses a stimulus event (stressor), a process and a reaction.

Stress Event (Stressors)

• acute stress

• chronic stress

Stress Process (Lazarus and Folkman 1984)

psychological stress - a relationship between the person and the environment, appraised as taxing or exceeding resources and endangering well-being. stress – a

The Stress Process – Appraisals

• primary appraisal – the individual’s assessment of whether an event signifies potential trouble.

• secondary appraisal – the individual’s assessment of their ability to cope with the perceived trouble, evaluating their coping skills and available resources.

• The success of responding and utilizing resources determines the level of stress experienced.

The Stress Reaction: Hans Selye 1936

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a systemic psychological response to stress.

• first stage: alarm response

• second stage: resistance

• third stage: exhaustion (if resistance fails)
  

stress can be measured physiologically (illness) or psychologically (depression, anxiety)

Measurement of Stress: The Social Readjustment Rating Scale

SRRS, aka Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, was developed to quantify the stress load.

• LCUs are assigned different weights to various life events. Higher scores on the scale indicate a greater likelihood of illness.

Stress Model and Community Psychology

• Community Stress (Hobfoll, Briggs and Wells)

• Dohrenwend’s Model (Social Stress Theory)

Community Stress (Hobfoll, Briggs and Wells)

Community psychology examines how community stressors impact groups, organisations, communities, or society.

• considers individual reactions are mediated by the community’s impact from stressors.

Dohrenwend’s Social Stress Theory

Stressful life events, especially negative ones, create stress reactions.

These reactions can lead to positive, neutral or negative outcomes, emphasizing stress as an opportunity for growth.

Two Levels:

• personal level: Includes individual coping skills, intelligence, and other characteristics.

• situational level: Encompasses the physical setting and social groups where the event occurs.

  • acts as moderators as well

• Intervention: education, skills training, political action, community organization.

Coping

• emotion-focused coping: distancing, selective attention, reinterpreting

• problem-focused coping: analyzing, weighing options, acting on solutions

Active vs. Passive Coping

• active coping: directly attempting to solve the problem

• passive coping: attempting to escape or ignore the problem

Hobfolls’ Three Dimensions of coping

1. Active-Passive

2. Prosocial-Antisocial

3. Direct-Indirect

Adaptive Schemas (Skinner et al.)

• action: coordinating actions and contingency plans

• social and personal resources: social support and special skills

• preferences and options: deciding what is preferred and exploring various coping options.

Social Support

The active participation of significant others in an individual’s stress management.

• advantages: offer help and comfort, reducing the burden of stress.

Types of Social Support

Types:

• emotional: expressing compassion and care

• instrumental: providing physical or substantive support

• informational: offering helpful advice or information

Effects:

• buffering/shielding effect: Friends share the burden of stress, mitigating its impact.

• additive/contributing to overall health: Social support can increase positivity and overall well-being.

Resilence

overcoming adversity, being at risk, yet still achieving success.

dynamic process, not a static variable (Rutter)

Kauai Studies on Resilience (Werner and Smith)

Resilience is linked to completing age-appropriate developmental challenges.

Resilient children often found support within their families and communities.

• The greater the risk factors, the more protective factors were necessary for a child to maintain resiliency and cope effectively.

Importance for Community Psychologists

• Helps understand stress and related processes.

• Assists in devising useful interventions.

• Informs prevention efforts.