Ch 11 stress and health Flashcards
(32 cards)
Stress
physical,
emotional, cognitive, and
behavioral responses to
threatening or challenging
events
Stressor
cause of stress reaction
Distress
effect of
undesirable stressors
eustress
effect of positive events
Catastrophe
unpredictable, large-
scale event
– extreme adaptation, adjustment,
feelings of threat
Acute stress disorder
anxiety,
nightmares, poor sleep, reliving the
event, concentration problems
– Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
– over 30 days of symptom
Major life changes (social readjustment rating scale)
Death of spouse, divorce, death of close family member, marriage, dismissal from work, death of a friend, foreclosure of a mortgage or loan, begin or end school, change in living condition, small mortgage or loan, Christmas, minor law violation
Major life changes (college undergraduate stress scale)
Being raped, HIV positive, pregnancy, finals week, being cheated on, financial difficulties, 2 exams in a day, marriage, roommate conflict, maintaining steady relationships, getting straight A’s, Greek life rush, falling asleep in class
Hassles
frustrations, delays, minor disagreements
Pressure
Urgent demands or expectations from an outside source
Uncontrollability
Degree of control over the situation
Frustration
Desired goal or fulfillment of perceived need blocked
Displaced aggression
Frustration focused on less threatening target
Suicide in America
1980 to 1996 – suicide (10 to 14 years of age) rates
doubled
* 2004 – third leading cause of death for adolescents
* Rates increase with age (elderly highest)
* Men four times as likely to complete suicide attempt
(as compared to women)
* American Indian/Alaskan natives particularly at risk
Signs of impending suicide
- Feelings of emptiness
- Lack of energy
- Inability to feel pleasure
- Irratability
- Sleeping problems
- Eating more or less than usual
Types of conflict
Avoidance-avoidance, approach-approach, approach avoidance
Approach-approach
Win-win, choice of 2 desirable options
Avoidance-avoidance
Lose-lose, stuck between a rock and a hard place
Approach-avoidance
Must choose or not choose goal with both positive and negative aspects
Stress and the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
Sympathetic: dilates pupils and inhibits fear glands, decreased salivation, dilates bronchi, decreases digestive functions of stomach, pancreas, & intestines; inhibits bladder contraction
Parasympathetic: constricts pupils and stimulates fear glands, increased salivation, slows heart, constricts bronchi, increases digestive functions of stomach, pancreas, intestines; allows bladder contraction
General adaptation syndrome
physiological changes to stress
three stages: (1) alarm, (2) resistance, and (3) exhaustion. Alarm, fight or flight, is the immediate response of the body to ‘perceived’ stress.
Stress and the immune system
Cognitive appraisal approach
Appraisal of stressor is a major factor in stress level
Lazarus’s Cognitive Appraisal Approach
Primary appraisal determines if a stressor is a threat, and if deemed a threat, secondary appraisal takes into account the resources
-inadequate resources lead to more stress and developing of new resources to deal with stress
