Stress and Coping

Stress

Any circumstance that threatens or is perceived to threaten one’s well being & that thereby tax one’s coping abilities.

Psychoneuroimmunology

study of how feelings and brain affect the immune system

primary appraisal

initial evaluation of whether an event is (1)irrelevant to you, (2)relevant, but not threatening, or (3)stressful

second appraisal

Evaluation of your coping resources & options for dealing with stress

conflict

2 or more Incompatible Motivations or Behavioral Impulses Compete for Expression

approach-approach conflict

Choice between 2 Attractive Goals

avoidance-avoidance conflict

Choice between 2 Unattractive Goals

approach-avoidance conflict

Choice between whether to pursue a single goal that has both Attractive and Unattractive Aspects

fight or flight response

physiological reaction to a threat

general adaptation syndrome

Model of the body’s stress response Consisting of 3 stages

alarm

initial response to a stressor

resistance

body mobilizes to withstand stress in order to return to homeostasis

exhaustion

ongoing, extreme stressors deplete the body’s resources so we function at less than normal

Type A personality

individuals have an intense desire to achieve, are extremely competitive, have a sense of urgency, are impatient, and can be hostile

Type B personality

individuals are more relaxed and easy going

burnout

physical and emotional exhaustion

coping

Active efforts to master, reduce, or tolerate demands created by stress

emotion-focused coping

coping that involves managing emotions that arise from stressful situations rather than changing the situation itself.

appraisal-focused coping

coping that involves changing the way one thinks about a stressful situation, often by reframing or reassessing the situation.

problem-focused coping

coping that involves taking direct action to address the source of stress, aiming to eliminate or reduce the stressor.

personal control

our sense of controlling our environment rather than feeling helpless