Health Psychology Exam Two Study Guide CHAPTER FIVE Defining Measuring and Managing Stress Objectives Be able to describe different theories of stress Be able to identify types of stressors Know how health psychologists measures stress Describe how stress affects health Know how people cope with stress Be able to describe behavioral interventions to manage stress Nervous System and Physiology of Stress Peripheral nervous system o Sympathetic nervous system mobilizes the body s resources in emergency stressful and emotional situations increase in rate and strength of heart contractions increase in rate of breathing constriction of blood vessels in skin decrease of gastrointestinal activity stimulation of sweat glands dilation of pupils o Parasympathetic nervous system promotes relaxation digestion normal growth functions active under normal non stressful conditions o As one system increases in function the other decreases o Main neurotransmitters are acetylcholine and norepinephrine Neuroendocrine system o The endocrine and nervous systems both share synthesize and release chemicals chemicals are neurotransmitters in the NS and hormones in the endocrine system o Activation of neurons is usually rapid but short term o Endocrine system responds more slowly and persists longer o Hormone ACTH produced by pituitary plays an essential role in stress response acts on adrenal glands which release glucocorticoids such as cortisol Physiology of the stress response Perception of stress activation of the sympathetic division of the ANS fight or flight Theories of Stress General Adaptation Syndrome Coined by Hans Selye Refers to the body s generalized attempt to defend itself against a stressor Divided into three stages o Alarm reaction body s defenses against a stressor are mobilized through activation of the sympathetic NS adrenaline epinephrine is released heart rate and blood pressure increase respiration becomes faster blood is diverted away from the internal organs toward the skeletal muscles sweat glands are activated and the gastrointestinal system decreases its activity o Resistance stage organism adapts to the stressor length of stage depends on severity of stressor and adaptive capacity of organism continuing stress will cause continued neurological and hormonal changes leading to diseases of adaptation o Exhaustion stage organism s ability to resist is depleted and a breakdown results characterized by the activation of the parasympathetic division of the ANS which functions abnormally causing a person to become exhausted exhaustion frequently results in depression and sometimes death Criticisms ignores situational and psychological factors appraisal of events and not all stressors produce the same endocrinological responses Allostatis and allostatic load emphasize the processes of adaptation and change rather than narrow regulation Allostatic load occurs when many changes are required by presence of chronic stressors Lazarus and Folkman Model Differs from Solye because he worked with humans more rather than animals which have the ability to think about and evaluate future events in ways animals do not Individual s perception of psychological situation is the critical factor not the actual event but the view of the situation Psychological stress particular relationship between the person and the environment that is appraised by the person as taxing or exceeding his of her resources and endangering his or her well being This transactional view of stress is emphasized holding that stress refers to a relationship between person and environment emphasizes the key role of a person s appraisal of situation holds that stress arises when a person appraises a situation and threatening challenging or harmful Stages o Primary appraisal When a person encounters an event they appraise the offer in terms of its effect on well being Irrelevant events are those that have no implications Benign positive events are those that are appraised as having good implications A stressful event is appraised as harmful threatening or Harm damage that has already been done such as illness or Threat anticipation of harm Challenge a person s confidence in overcoming difficult challenging injury demands o Secondary appraisal When people form an impression of their ability to control or cope with harm threat or challenge What options are available to me What is the likelihood that I can successfully apply the necessary strategies to reduce this stress Will this procedure work alleviate my stress When people believe they can successfully change a situation to achieve a positive outcome stress is reduced Appraisals change as new information becomes available Does not always results in more stress sometimes it decreases o Reappraisal stress Stress is aroused when people are vulnerable and lack resources in a situation Physical or social deficits are not sufficient to produce vulnerability what matters is whether people consider the situation personally important Vulnerability represents only the potential for threat Coping constantly changing cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage specific external and or internal demands that are appraised as taxing or exceeding the resources of a person Coping is not automatic it is a learned pattern of responding to stressful situations it also requires effort Coping is an effort to manage a situation Sources of Stress Stressors Cataclysmic events o Sudden unique and powerful single life events requiring major adaptive responses from population groups sharing the experience o Unintentional earthquakes fires floods etc o Intentional attack on world trade center o TV s bringing the aftermath into millions of homes o Proximity to event time elapsed since and intention all contribute to the amount of stress is created o Intentional disasters are more stressful than non intentional o PTSD Major life events o Can include death of spouse getting divorced being fired moving far away graduating o Can be negative or positive o Emphasize the importance of change o Change stresses people out o Usually evolve more slowly than cataclysmic events o PTSD affects adults and even children as well o Normally affect one person or a few people Everyday hassles o Originate from physical and psychosocial environments o Include living in poverty fearing crime arguing with one s spouse balancing work with family life living in crowded and polluted conditions fighting a long daily commute o Urban press