Ch 14

Introduction

• Exams and Stress: College life is inherently stressful due to exams, term papers, rising tuition, debt, and post-graduation employment challenges. Non-traditional students may face additional pressures like parenting and full-time jobs.

• Life’s Various Stressors: Beyond academic stresses, life challenges include financial insecurity, social conflicts, and minor daily annoyances.

• Psychological Interest in Stress: The chapter focuses on our understanding of stress, examining its psychological and physiological aspects, causes, consequences, and coping strategies.

14.1 What Is Stress?

Learning Objectives

• Differentiate between stimulus-based and response-based definitions of stress.

• Define stress as a process.

• Differentiate between good stress (eustress) and bad stress (distress).

• Explore contributions from Walter Cannon and Hans Selye in stress research.

• Understand the physiological basis of stress and the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).

Definitions of Stress

• Historical Context: The term "stress" gained traction in the 1930s and popularized in the 1970s.

• General Usage: Often used to describe a range of unpleasant feelings, such as frustration and anger.

• Two Definitions of Stress:

  • Stimulus-Based Definitions: Define stress as a demanding event (e.g., high-stress job); however, this overlooks individual differences in perception and reactions.

  • Response-Based Definitions: Emphasizes physiological responses (e.g., increased heart rate) to demands, coined by Hans Selye.

• Comprehensive View: Stress is best viewed as a process where individuals perceive and respond to events seen as threatening or overwhelming.

Appraisals in Stress

• Primary Appraisal: Assessment of the potential harm from a stressor:

  • Appraised as a threat or challenge (e.g., job promotion viewed as stressful vs. an opportunity).

• Secondary Appraisal: Evaluating one's options for coping with the stressor and their effectiveness.

Outcomes of Appraisal

• Individuals with high self-efficacy tend to view stressors as manageable, leading to lower stress levels.

• Examples show how differing perspectives (e.g., Robin's and Madhuri's reactions to health threats) lead to varied stress experiences.

Good Stress vs. Bad Stress

• Eustress vs. Distress:

  • Eustress: Positive stress that motivates and energizes (e.g., pregame jitters enhancing performance).

  • Distress: Negative stress leading to exhaustion and health issues (e.g., extreme test anxiety).

• Performance and Stress Relationship: Performance improves with low to moderate stress levels but declines once distress sets in.

14.2 Stressors

Types of Stressors

• Chronic vs. Acute:

  • Chronic Stressors: Long-term stressors (e.g., caregiving for someone with dementia).

  • Acute Stressors: Brief events with lasting effects (e.g., accidents).

• Traumatic Events: Exposure to significant threats to health or life can lead to PTSD.

Life Changes

• Significant personal changes can cause stress, whether positive (marriage) or negative (divorce).

• Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS): Measures the stress associated with life events, giving life change units (LCUs) to quantify stressors.

  • High LCUs correlate with physical illness risk.

Daily Hassles

• Minor Irritations: Daily annoyances (e.g., traffic jams) can cumulatively lead to major stress.

• Impact of Daily Hassles: Research indicates that frequent daily hassles may predict physical and psychological health better than significant life changes.

Occupation-Related Stressors

• Different jobs pose varying levels of stress, influenced by workload, control, and environment.

• Job Strain: A combination of high demands and low control leads to job strain and burnout.

• Examples of Stressors by Occupation: Certain professions (e.g., firemen, nurses) have been identified as more stressful due to inherent job difficulties.

14.3 Stress and Illness

Psychophysiological Disorders

• Definition: Conditions where physical ailments are exacerbated by stress (e.g., hypertension).

The Immune System and Stress

• Continued stress can weaken the immune system, contributing to illnesses.

• Health Psychology: Studies the correlation between stress and health, examining factors like coping strategies.

Cardiovascular Disorders

• Negative emotional states like anger and depression are linked to cardiovascular disease risk.

Impact on Overall Health

• Stress affects both mental and physical health, linking it to chronic conditions like asthma and headaches.

14.4 Regulation of Stress

Coping Strategies

• Types of Coping: Problem-focused (addressing source of stress) vs. emotion-focused (alleviating feelings).

• Perceived Control: Individual beliefs about control significantly influence stress reactions.

• Social Support: A strong social network helps buffer the negative effects of stress on health.

14.5 The Pursuit of Happiness

Happiness Defined

• Happiness involves a blend of pleasure, engagement, and a sense of contribution to the greater good.

• Findings show the average happiness varies globally, with substantial impacts from economic stability and relationships.

Factors Influencing Happiness

• Age influences happiness positively, while money plays a role but tends to plateau after basic needs are met.

• Studies highlight that meaningful relationships and engagement with one's tasks enhance happiness levels.

Positive Psychology

• A growing field focusing on enhancing human strengths and well-being rather than merely addressing mental illness.

• Incorporates concepts like positive affect, optimism, and flow to promote overall happiness and fulfillment.