Health Psychology Biopsychosocial Interactions- Sarafino- E.P. 7ed-pages-2

Part II: Stress, Illness, and Coping

Stress—Its Meaning, Impact, and Sources

• Definition of Stress: Stress is the perceived discrepancy between the demands of a situation and the resources available to cope, involving physical and psychological components.

Experiencing Stress in Our Lives

• Personal Examples of Stress: Vicki’s story illustrates common stressors like relationship issues, academic pressures, and health problems.

• Variability of Stress: Stress varies by individual experiences; what is stressful for one person may be perceived as challenging or negligible by another.

Appraising Events as Stressful

• Cognitive Appraisal: Stress assessment involves two stages:

  • Primary Appraisal: Evaluating the potential threat to one's well-being.

  • Secondary Appraisal: Assessing personal resources to cope with the threat.

• Types of Appraisals: Events can be judged as irrelevant, benign-positive, or stressful.

Biopsychosocial Aspects of Stress

• Biological Components: Stress is linked to physiological responses such as increased heart rate, activated sympathetic nervous system, and hormone release.

• Psychosocial Components: Personal beliefs, coping mechanisms, and social contexts influence stress perception and experience.

Sources of Stress Throughout Life

• Internal Sources: Stress can originate from within, such as illnesses or personal conflicts.

• External Sources: Sources include family dynamics and community stressors.

Measuring Stress

• Methods: Stress can be assessed via physiological measures (blood pressure, heart rate, hormonal levels), life events, daily hassles, and stress self-report tools.

Can Stress Be Good For You?

• Positive Stress: Some stress (eustress) can be motivating and lead to personal growth.

• Challenges vs. Threats: Perception influences whether an event is viewed as a challenge or a threat.

Stress, Biopsychosocial Factors, and Illness

Psychosocial Modifiers of Stress

• Social Support: Emotional or practical support from friends, family, or community can moderate stress impact.

• Personal Control: A strong sense of control or mastery over one’s environment can reduce stress-related harm.

• Personality Attributes: Traits such as resilience, optimism, and hardiness contribute positively to stress management.

How Stress Affects Health

• Behavioral Impacts: Stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and poor diet, which in turn increase disease susceptibility.

• Physiological Impacts: Chronic stress affects immune function, increases inflammatory markers, and can lead to chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and digestive issues.

Psychoneuroimmunology

• Interconnectedness of Systems: This field studies how psychological states, the nervous system, and immune response interrelate, showing that stress can impair immune function.

Psychophysiological Disorders

• Stress Related Illnesses: Conditions such as digestive disorders, asthma, recurrent headaches, and heart disease may be linked to stress.

• Emotional Health: Chronic stress can exacerbate emotional and physical health problems, affecting recovery and wellness.

Coping with and Reducing Stress

What is Coping?

• Definition: Coping entails the processes individuals use to manage perceived stress. It may involve changing the situation, altering perception, or emotional regulation.

Functions of Coping

• Emotion-focused: These strategies manage emotional responses (e.g., seeking support, using distractions).

• Problem-focused: Aimed at changing the stressor itself (e.g., seeking solutions, planning).

Coping Techniques

• Proactive Coping: Enhancing social support and personal control; organizing one’s situation to minimize stress.

• Cognitive Approaches: Techniques like stress inoculation training, cognitive restructuring, and problem-solving methods to reframe and manage stress.

• Relaxation Techniques: Methods, such as progressive muscle relaxation and meditation, to reduce stress responses.

Assessing and Adapting Coping Methods

• Diverse Strategies: Individuals utilize a range of strategies in coping (emotional, cognitive, behavioral) based on their unique experiences and environments.

• Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Biofeedback: Techniques designed to teach relaxation and stress response management.

• Modeling and Observational Learning: Learning coping behaviors through observing others can be effective in managing stress responses.

Overall Insights on Stress Management

• Social Support’s Role: Enhances well-being and can reduce negative effects of stress in both chronic and acute situations.

• Coping Evolution: Coping strategies adapt over an individual’s life span, often influenced by age, social roles, and contexts.