L6: Coping & Stress

Question 1

Def of Stress

Answer 1

any event that strains or exceeds an individual’s ability to cope.

Question 2

Introduction to Stress

Answer 2

Question 3

Sources of Stress

Answer 3

Question 4

Space out your life changes when you can.

Answer 4

Question 5

Def of Frustration

Answer 5

Question 6

Def of Conflicts

Answer 6

The state in which two or more motives cannot be satisfied because they interfere with one another.

Question 7

Approach Approach Conflict

• Def
• Example

Answer 7

Question 8

Types of Conflicts

Answer 8

There are four major kinds of conflicts involving approach and avoidance:

• Approach approach conflict.
• Avoidance avoidance conflict.
• Approach avoidance conflict.
• Multiple approach avoidance conflict.

Question 9

Avoidance Avoidance Conflict

• Def
• Example

Answer 9

Question 10

Approach Avoidance Conflict

• Def
• Example

Answer 10

Question 11

Multiple Approach Avoidance Conflict

• Def
• Example

Answer 11

Question 12

Def of Pressure

Answer 12

Question 13

Environmental Conditions & Stress

Answer 13

Question 14

Psychological Reactions to Stress

Answer 14

Question 15

Physical Reactions to Stress and Health
(The General Adaptation Syndrome)

Answer 15

Question 16

Alarm Reaction

Answer 16

Question 17

Resistance Stage

Answer 17

• During the second stage of the GAS, the body s resources have been fully mobilized, and resistance to the stress is high.
• If the stress continues, the individual’s resources will eventually become depleted, leading to the third stage of the GAS.

Question 18

Exhaustion Stage

Answer 18

• If the stress continues, the individual s resources may become exhausted, and resistance to the stress and infection is lowered.
• In cases of prolonged exposure to severe physical stress (such as prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures), death can occur during the exhaustion stage.
• Psychological stress is rarely able to precipitate death, but it can severely disrupt body functioning.

Question 19

Stress & immune system

Answer 19

Question 20

Depression, anxiety, health & stress

Answer 20

• Stress gives rise to depression and anxiety in some persons and persons with high levels of depression and anxiety have impaired immune system functioning, poorer health, and higher rates of death from cardiac disease.
• The increased risk for early mortality due to depression is as great as that caused by cigarette smoking.
• Depression influences health through its effects on inflammation, heart functions, and the immune system.

Question 21

Factors that Affect Reactions to Stress

Answer 21

• Previous experience of stress
• Developmental factors
• Predictability
• Control
• Social support
• Cognition
• Personality
• Gender
• Ethnic Differences

Question 22

How does Previous experience of stress affect Reactions to stress?

Answer 22

• Stress reactions are generally less severe when the individual has had some prior experience with the stress event.
• For example, a soldier who is going into war for the fourth time will usually be less stressed by it than a soldier facing war for the first time.
• Studies of both humans and nonhuman animals suggest that prior exposure to stress can “vaccinate” to the effects of future stress.

Question 23

How does Developmental factors affect Reactions to stress?

Answer 23

The effects of stress depend, in part, on the developmental level of the person who is stressed.

• Death of spouse in older age.
• Sexual abuse in younger age.

Question 24

How does Predictability affect Reactions to stress?

Answer 24

In general, life events are less stressful when they are predictable than when they are not.

Question 25

How does Control affect Reactions to stress?

Answer 25

Life events are less stressful when the individual perceives that he or she can exert some degree of control over the stress.

Question 26

Learning Helplessness

Answer 26

A state in which people conclude that unpleasant or stressful event cannot be controlled It is a view of the world that becomes so fixed that they cease trying to modify the stressful life event even if they can exert some influence on the event.

Question 27

How does Social support affect Reactions to stress?

Answer 27

In general, the magnitude of reactions to stress are less for individuals with good social support networks of friends and family members than for individuals with limited social support, such as: - Patients with Cancer - Children who have been sexually abused

Question 28

Aspects of Social Support

Answer 28

* Having the opportunity just to get it off your chest * Just being there * Being a good listener * Simply asking how things are going * Avoiding explicit advice * Avoiding criticism

Question 29

How does Cognition affect Reactions to stress?

Answer 29

Question 30

How does Personality affect Reactions to stress?

Answer 30

- Differences among individuals in their personality traits prior to stress influence their reactions to stress. - For example, persons who are high on the personality trait of neuroticism tend to react most to stressful events. - Similarly, military recruits who were more insecure and often sought reassurance from others before the stressor of basic training were more likely to be depressed afterward - Thus, the effects of stress can be understood only in terms of a person x situation interaction

Question 31

How does Gender affect Reactions to stress?

Answer 31

- Women are more likely than men are to experience lasting reactions to traumatic events That is, they are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances after a trauma. - We are only speaking of average differences Many women are resilient in their response to traumatic stress, and many men are seriously affected by trauma.

Question 32

How does Ethnic Differences affect Reactions to stress?

Answer 32

- Minority in a society experience more stress. - Immigrant Families exposed to more stress due to: 1. the more rapid acculturation of children into the new culture 2. Parents are sometimes stressed by their children's changing behavior children are sometimes stressed by pressure from their parents to maintain the language and standards of their culture

Question 33

Effective Coping with stress

Answer 33

- Removing or Reducing Stress. - Cognitive Coping Strategies - Managing Stress Reactions

Question 33

Cognitive Coping Strategies

Answer 33

Question 33

Def of **Coping with Stress**

Answer 33

Attempts by the individual to deal with the source of stress and/or control their reactions to it.

Question 34

Managing Stress Reactions

Answer 34

When the source of stress cannot realistically be removed or changed, another effective option is to manage our psychological and physiological reactions to the stress, such as: - Relaxation activities and exercises - Hobbies - Spending time with friends - Seeking professional training from psychiatrists

Question 35

Ineffective Coping

Answer 35