psy255: week 12 - Understanding Stress and Managing Stress

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering various aspects of stress and its management.

Stressor

Any type of physically or psychologically challenging event or situation.

Stress

The process through which we perceive and respond to stressors.

Primary appraisal

The automatic cognitive emotional evaluation of a situation.

Secondary appraisal

Assessment of one’s ability to manage a situation.

Eustress

Moderate or normal psychological stress that is interpreted as beneficial.

Psychological Resilience

An individual’s ability to adapt despite adverse conditions.

Sources of Stress

Include relationships, work, environment, major events, and internal conflict.

Approach-approach conflict

Choosing between two compelling but conflicting options.

Approach-avoidance conflict

One option is compelling but in conflict with goals.

Avoidance-avoidance conflict

Choosing between two negative options.

Self-Report Inventories

Tools such as the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSC) to measure stress.

Physiological measures

Includes physiological arousal and biochemical measures.

Fight-or-Flight Response

Cannon’s model of physiological preparation for dealing with threat.

Homeostasis

The body's stable, balanced physiological state.

Epinephrine

Also known as adrenaline, a hormone released during stress.

Norepinephrine

Also known as noradrenaline, a hormone involved in stress response.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

A three-stage model of stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Allostatic load

Wear and tear on the body caused by chronic stress.

Physical consequences of stress

Impacts on the brain, nervous system, hormones, heart, and immune system.

Psychological consequences of stress

Can lead to mental health problems, difficulty concentrating, and changes in behaviors.

Coping

Efforts to manage the stressful demands of a situation.

Problem-Focused Coping

Strategies directed at changing the situation causing stress.

Emotional-Focused Coping

Strategies aimed at changing how one feels about a situation.

Avoidance Coping

Strategies that involve ignoring or avoiding the problem.

Types of Social Support

Includes emotional support, belongingness support, and instrumental support.

Informational support

Providing advice or guidance to help someone cope.

Esteem support

Validation support that helps an individual feel valued.

Buffering hypothesis

The theory that social support protects against stress.

Direct effect hypothesis

The theory that social support improves health outcomes directly.

The Religion/Spirituality–Health Link

Involvement in religion is associated with better psychological health.

Healthy behaviors

Encouraged by many religions that contribute to better health.

Extraversion

A personality trait marked by sociability and enthusiasm.

Positive affect

The extent to which an individual feels enthusiastic or energetic.

Optimism

A general tendency to expect positive outcomes.

Conscientiousness

A trait characterized by self-discipline and goal orientation.

Internal locus of control

Belief that individuals can influence their own life outcomes.

Neuroticism

A personality trait associated with negative affect and emotional instability.

Type A behavior

A personality pattern linked to competitiveness and anger.

Stress coping strategies

Include physiological mechanisms, grit, and self-compassion.

Relaxation response

A state of reduced tension and anxiety through relaxation techniques.

Progressive muscle relaxation

A method of relaxing muscles in a structured manner.

Biofeedback

Using electronic monitoring to train individuals to control physiological processes.

Mindfulness

A practice that fosters awareness and presence in the moment.

Exercise

Physical activity that improves mood and reduces stress.

Nature exposure

Spending time in natural environments to boost well-being.

Therapy

Mental health support that can provide additional coping resources.

Key Takeaway: Stress depends on interpretation

How individuals interpret stressors affects their experience.

Chronic stress effects

Impact on physical and psychological health due to prolonged stress.

Coping and support impact

Coping strategies and social support shape health outcomes.

Adaptation strategies

Methods individuals use to adjust to stressful situations.

Self-report methods

Subjective measures of stress and coping effectiveness.

Behavioral changes

Alterations in actions as a response to stress.

Physiological responses to stress

Body's automatic reactions to perceived threats.

Stress hormones

Chemical signals in the body that are released during stress.

Cognitive appraisal

Mental evaluation process in response to stressors.

Social relationships

Connections with others that can affect health and stress.

Therapeutic interventions

Various methods used to alleviate mental health issues related to stress.

Health psychology

A field that studies how biological, social, and psychological factors influence health.

Chronic disease risk

Increased likelihood of health issues due to prolonged stress.

Resilience factors

Attributes that help individuals cope with stress effectively.

Stress management techniques

Strategies to reduce or cope with stress.

Adversity adaptation

The ability to adjust positively in the face of adversity.

Mind-body connection

The relationship between mental states and physical health.

Supportive relationships

Social connections that provide emotional and practical support.

Mindful practices

Techniques designed to bring awareness and calm.

Stress reduction exercises

Physical activities aimed at lowering stress levels.

Nature therapy

Use of natural environments for therapeutic purposes.

Psychological well-being

A state of mental health where an individual feels good and functions well.

Burnout

A state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress.

Capacity to manage stress

Individual ability to cope with and respond to stressors.

Social adjustment

The process of adapting to social interactions and relationships.

Health outcomes

Results of health-related behaviors and stress responses.

Coping flexibility

Ability to adapt coping strategies to different situations.

Intrusive thoughts

Unwanted thoughts that can increase stress and anxiety.

Support networks

Groups of individuals that provide emotional and tangible assistance.

Sleep hygiene

Healthy sleep practices that contribute to stress management.

Stress reactivity

Individual differences in how one reacts to stress.

Adaptive coping mechanisms

Strategies developed to effectively manage stress.