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.