In-depth Notes on Stress, Health, and Illness Theory

Concepts of Stress

  • Stress is a widely used term with multiple meanings, often not precisely defined.
  • Examining stress involves understanding it as:
    • A stimulus (external events that trigger stress)
    • A transaction (the interaction between the stimulus and cognitive appraisal of the individual)
    • A biological and physiological response

Stress and Its Impact

  • Daily stressors can significantly affect sleep quality, emotional well-being, and health.
  • Behavioral responses to stress (like caffeine or nicotine use) impact productivity and health, emphasizing the importance of managing stress.

Factors That Contribute to Stress

  • Factors are classified as life events that necessitate adjustment (positive or negative).

    • Holmes and Rahe's Life Events Theory (1967):
    • They developed a Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), measuring life changes in Life Change Units (LCUs).
    • More significant life events correlate to higher health risks; for instance, divorce scores 75 LCUs, while death of a spouse scores 100 LCUs.

  • Limitations of Life Events Measurement:

    • Retrospective self-reporting can lead to biases.
    • Some life events on the scale are not universally applicable.
    • Overlap and ambiguity of events may complicate assessments.
    • Studies show that frequency and interpersonal context of stressors are critical.

Daily Hassles vs. Major Life Events

  • Daily Hassles:
    • Defined as everyday frustrations that can accumulate and lead to significant stress. They often have more consistent negative health outcomes than major life events.
  • Uplifts:
    • Positive experiences that can moderate the impact of daily hassles (e.g., receiving compliments, achieving tasks).

Psychological Theories of Stress

  • Cognitive Transactional Model of Stress (Richard Lazarus):
    • Stress is subjective and mediated by cognitive appraisal processes:
    1. Primary Appraisal: Evaluating if a situation poses a threat, harm, or challenge.
    2. Secondary Appraisal: Assessing personal resources to cope with the stressor (e.g., support, skills).
    • The outcome of this appraisal affects emotional responses and potential coping strategies.

Physiological Responses to Stress

  • Stress triggers activation of the autonomic nervous system and releases hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) that prepare the body for fight or flight.
    • Prolonged activation can lead to various health issues, including cardiovascular disease and weakened immune response.
    • Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which can impair immune function and healing ability.

Stress and Health Outcomes

  • Research indicates correlations between stress exposure and various health conditions:
    • Common Cold: Higher stress levels relate to increased susceptibility to viral infections.
    • Coronary Heart Disease (CHD): Chronic stress contributes to cardiovascular issues through mechanisms like increased blood pressure and heightened inflammatory responses.
    • Cancer: Evidence of stress influencing cancer progression is inconclusive and varies by cancer type.

Stress Measurement

  • Measuring stress is complex due to its subjective nature. Various approaches include:
    • Self-reports of stress experiences (e.g., Perceived Stress Scale) that assess individuals’ feelings regarding stressors.
    • Physiological indices such as heart rate, blood pressure, and hormonal markers (e.g., cortisol levels).
  • Reliability issues arise as stress responses differ across individuals and situations.