Health, Stress, & Coping Flashcards
(28 cards)
The Biopsychosocial Model
Biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors all contribute to health and illness
How does Psychology Affect Health?
Placebo effect
Nocebo effect
Placebo effect
A beneficial effect, produced by a placebo drug or treatment, that cannot be attributed to the properties itself, and must therefore be due to the patients belief in that treatment. Placebo is an insert substance
Nocebo effect
Is the adverse reaction experienced by a patient who receives such a therapy.
Factors Leading to Smoking
- Family members who smoke
- Culture (is smoking common?)
- Impulsive personality characteristics
- Socioeconomic status
- Cigarettes are often used as a prop in photo shots and movies
- Smoking is associated with attractiveness, rebelliousness, and individualism
Smoking in the Movies
- Actors in films and models in fashion magazines use cigarettes as an accessory
“Torches of Freedom”
” Women began to smoke because it meant they were independent”. Started to smoke when they were able to vote. “Be a Strong, Independent Woman”
Rationalization of Smoking
- Minimize negatie health effects of smoking
- Enhance positive aspects of smoking
” The Restraint Bias”
” I have great self control”
“ I’ll be fine in tempting situations”
What is Stress?
A psychological and physiological reaction that occurs when perceived demands exceed existing resources to meet those demands
Sressors???
An event, item, or experience that causes a stress response
Immune System
Acute vs. Chronic Stress
Acute Stress?
- Enhances immunity (except for allergic responses)
- Increased number of lymphocytes(kills antigens) and macrophages
- Dependent on adrenal secretion; lasts 2-5 days
Chronic Stress
- Suppresses immunity
- Reduced number of lymphocytes and macrophages
- Increased the severity of common illnesses
Flight-or-flight response
- A set of physiological changes that occur in response to psychological or physical threats
General Adaptation syndrome (GAS)
- A theory of stress responses involving stages of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion
General Adaptation Syndrome
- Alarm
- Resistance
- Exhaustion
Common Stressors
- Financial: Lack of money, unpaid bills
- Work/school: Exams, project deadlines, traffic
- Physiological: Lack of sleep, unhealthy eating, smoking/drinking
- Psychological: Personal relationships, conflict, bullying
- Social: Family conflicts, life events
- Societal: Racism, poverty, powerlessness
Sources of Stress??
- Frustration
- Conflict
- Change
- Pressure
Types of Conflict
Approach-approach
Avoidance-avoidance
Approach-avoidance
Measuring Stress
Types of measures:
- Physiological (cortisol)
- Social
- Psychological
Crowding and Poverty
- Crowding increases arousal levels, spread of diseases
- Poverty is associated with reduced control over ones environment
Discrimination and Health
- Discrimination is also unpredictable and uncontrollable
Isolation vs. Marriage
- Chronic social isolation visas great a mortality risk as smoking obesity and high blood pressure
- Happy marriages have health benefits
