Cognitive & Behavioral Responses to Stress

Cognitive Appraisal

• Subjective interpretation of a situation.
• Primary appraisal: first categorization of a potential stressor.
  • $\text{Threat}$ → potential for harm/loss → distress.
  • $\text{Challenge}$ → opportunity for growth/gain → eustress.
• Secondary appraisal (only after a threat appraisal): judgment of available coping resources.
  • Sufficient resources → low threat.
  • Insufficient resources → high threat.

Impact on Physiology

• Appraisal type alters HPA-axis activity.
  • Threat appraisal → ↑ cortisol, sympathetic arousal.
  • Challenge appraisal → ↓ cortisol, milder physiological response.
• Trier Social Stress Test: participants viewing tasks as a challenge reported less stress and showed lower cortisol than those viewing them as a threat.

Coping Strategies

• Problem-focused coping: direct actions to modify or eliminate the stressor (e.g., study plan, tutoring). Used when perceived control is high.
• Emotion-focused coping: actions to regulate emotional distress (e.g., reappraisal, journaling, exercise). Helpful when control is low.
• Avoidance (emotion-focused subtype): provides short-term relief; typically maladaptive long term.
• Coping methods can coexist; seeking social support often serves both functions.

Social Support & Buffering Hypothesis

• Social support buffers (weakens) the harmful effects of stress, especially under high stress.
• Documented benefits: better cancer survival, stronger immune response, fewer colds.
• Mechanism: social contact ↑ oxytocin → inhibits CRF & ACTH → ↓ HPA-axis activation & cortisol.

Key Terms to Know

• $\text{Cognitive Appraisal}$
• $\text{Primary \& Secondary Appraisal}$
• $\text{Threat vs\;Challenge Appraisal}$
• $\text{Problem\text{-} vs\;Emotion\text{-}Focused Coping}$
• $\text{Buffering Hypothesis}$