10/29/20081STRESS, HEALTH, & COPINGChapter 12STRESS AND HEALTHÂ PsychologyThe study of the links between psychological factors and physical hlh dpy gpyhealth and .Stress• What is stress?–Pattern of responses to something thatPattern of responses to something that blocks our assess to a goal (stressor)• Stressors range from to people who talk too slowly• Stress is normal and natural– Without the experience of stress we wouldn’t work so hard to get things .Learning Objective 110/29/20082Stressful Life Events• Life events, positive or negative, to which you believe you must adjust•events• Life changes – having to adaptSocialRatingScale–Social Rating Scale– Life Change Units• Chronic stressors• Daily hassles / Frustrations• Conflict • Pressure to or conform eventsCatastrophes• Up to % of adults in U.S. have experienced at least one major (extreme stressor) in their lives… – Examples:• serious accident/natural disaster• rape or criminal assault• combat exposure • child sexual or physical abuse and/or severe neglect • hostage/imprisonment/ torture• sudden unexpected of a loved oneLearning Objective 1, 210/29/20083stress disorder• Psychological disorder occurring in a minority of people who experience a event–Rape war concentration camp–Rape, war, concentration camp• Not normal .– Flashbacks– Intense distress– Otherwise low levels of emotionLife .• How many of you have moved in the last year?• , illness in the family Life .10/29/20084Life Changes• Include any alteration in one’s living circumstance that require .• The Social Rating Scale (SRRS) includes both positive and negative and largeincludes both positive and negative and large and small events• People with higher scores on the SRRS tend to be more to physical illnessChronic StressorsDaily Hassles / Frustrations10/29/20085Conflict• Two or more motivations or impulses compete• .–Can only chose one of the twoCan only chose one of the two • .– Don’t want to do either• .– Chose a goal that has positive and negative aspects “Mary’s” Story• Mary achieved one of the first scholarships given to a woman to play on a university water polo team. She moved across the country to begin her studies at a prestigious school. Once there, she took on a large load of challenging pre‐med courses (18 h)It i th iddl f th t F k h(18 hours). It is the middle of the semester. For weeks she has complained of being extremely “stressed out.” She was considering leaving as she doesn’t get along with one of the assistant coaches, but she likes the academic possibilities here. In addition, she was given no parking permit and has to drive around for about a half an hour each morning searching for a place to park. Last week she went to the counseling center in crisis after a violent date rape. Now she is considering dropping out of school.Mary’s Stressors• Catastr o phic events –.• Conflict –doesn’t get along with coach; considering leaving• Life –moving, starting college, new athletic team• Chronic stressors –heavy academic work load• Daily hassles/frustration –problems10/29/20086Stress Responses• response• Physical response• Emotional responseil• appraisal PhysiologicalStress Response activate the autonomic nervous system– Heart rate increases; blood pressure rises; breathing deeper and slower; digestion stops; secretion of adrenaline• Stress can provoke –which impairs performance•stress raises risk of illnessPhysiological Effects of StressGeneral Adaptation SyndromeLearning Objective 210/29/20087Phase 1: Alarm .• Alarm caused by a sudden activation of your sympathetic nervous system • Mobilizes energy in stressful situations– So, your body recognizes danger and mobilizes for a"fight‐or‐flight"situationa fightorflightsituation…• System is activated but since you are in temporary shock –your resistance drops below normal – usually minor and short‐term• May show various symptoms of ‐‐headaches, fever , fatigue, sore muscles, shortness of breath, diarrhea, upset stomach, etc.Learning Objective 3Phase 2: .Time to fight the challenge• Your body responds to the challenge with an outpouring of stress hormones causing your temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration all remain high•Everything is in full force to help you cope with the stressorsEverything is in full force to help you cope with the stressors• As body defenses stabilize, the symptoms of alarm seem to disappear• The adjustment to stress and the outward appearance of normality are maintained at high cost…– During this stage, the body is more able to cope with the original stress– However, its to any other stress is lowered10/29/20088Phase 3: .• During this phase, the individual reservoir of resources is becoming .– The person is especially vulnerable to diseases and in extreme cases collapse and death (immunein extreme cases collapse and death (immune system is being challenged by the long‐term stress)• Example: .Stress Response• Emotional responses: irritability, anxiety, anger, annoyance, rage, grief, fatigue, etc.• Can interfere with ability to cope with stress –Affects .– .– Decision making Chronic stressAppraisal He wasn’t being rude –just his way of being Some stress is unavoidably bad .But a lot of stress is– Or at least an illusion of controlfriendlyYou don’t need his approval for that anywayMaybe you can convince yourself it’s his way of being friendlyBut a lot of stress is In the eye of the beholder Controllable10/29/20089Cognitive of stress• Stage 1: Evaluate the threat– Is it really a threat?– How bad is it?• Stage 2: resources to combat threath h?–Can I cope with this?• Highest stress comes from biggest threats for which we have least resources to combat• People in these cognitive appraisals• And consequently in their long‐term stress responseCognitive Appraisal• cognitive appraisal makes situation worse •thinking–Recurring intrusive thoughts about–Recurring intrusive thoughts about stressors•Thinking–Dwelling on possible negative consequences of stressorsCatastrophic ThinkingIf I fail the SAT I’m not going to get into college, and I’ll end up with some crap job, and I’ll have to marry someone who is stupid and ugly and then my kids will be stupid and ugly and my life will just be