9781119394883

Chapter Overview

• Stress exists on a continuum and is subjective.

• Marcus Luttrell's story illustrates extreme stress faced by individuals.

• Stress is defined as the interpretation of stressors as threatening or challenging.

• Relationships between preparation level for an exam and stress response.

3.1 Understanding Stress

Learning Objectives

• Define stress and stressors:

  • Stress: Interpretation of events (stressors) as threatening or challenging.

  • Stressor: Trigger or stimulus inducing stress.

• Identify major sources of stress;

• Describe physical and cognitive reactions to stress;

• Review potential benefits of stress.

Major Sources of Stress

• Acute and Chronic Stress:

• Acute Stress: Severe but short-term stress (e.g., car accidents, deadlines).

• Chronic Stress: Continuous stress without a definitive endpoint (e.g., ongoing wars, domestic violence).

• Impact on sexual functioning and health consequences.

Evaluation of Stress Responses

• Stress responses create physiological reactions (blood pressure, heart rate increases).

• Chronic stress can have negative effects (depression, low birth weight).

3.2 Stress and Illness

Illness Contributory Factors

• Ulcers:

• Initially thought caused solely by stress; now acknowledged as compounded by stress and H. pylori bacteria.

• Chronic Pain:

• Involves continuous pain lasting months; psychological factors amplify pain perception.

• Cancer:

  • Stress does not cause cancer but can weaken the immune response.

• Cardiovascular Disorders:

  • Stress increases risk factors like high blood pressure.

3.3 Stress Management

Approaches to Managing Stress

• Cognitive Appraisal:

• Primary Appraisal: Assessing if a situation is harmful.

• Secondary Appraisal: Evaluating available resources to cope.

• Coping Mechanisms:

• Problem-focused Coping: Strategies to directly address the stressor.

• Emotion-focused Coping: Strategies to manage emotional response.

• Importance of social support and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR).

Personality and Stress Management

• Locus of Control:

  • Internal locus: Belief in personal control over life decisions.

  • External locus: Belief that outside forces dictate fate.

• Positive Affect and Optimism:

  • Individuals with positive affect tend to have better health outcomes.

3.4 Health Psychology

Definition and Role

• Health Psychology: Studies the interaction between biological, psychological, and social aspects of health.

• Focuses on the prevention of illness, health-related behaviors, and the relation between stress and health outcomes.

• Work includes promoting healthy behaviors, educating about health risks (e.g. smoking).

Job Stress

• Karoshi: Death from overwork in Japan highlights extreme job stress.

• High job strain associated with increased risks of heart disease and suicide.

• Essential to promote workplace health and psychological well-being.