STRESS Flashcards
(37 cards)
Autonomic Nervous System(ANS)
regulates involuntary body functions like heart rate digestion
2 branches of the Autonomic nervous system
- Sympathetic branch: Activates the “fight-or-flight” response during stress increasing heart rate and energy. 2. Parasympathetic branch: Promotes “rest-and-digest” activities
How does the body react to stress
In response to a stressor, the hypothalamus activates the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which then stimulates the sympathetic branch. The sympathetic branch sends neurotransmitter messages to the adrenal medulla, triggering the release of adrenaline.”*
General adaptation syndrome (GAS)
is the three-stage process that describes the biological changes the body goes through when it is under stress. Selye (1936) proposed GAS after observing lab rats undergoing physiological changes when they were exposed to stress.
The three stages of stress are identified as ……..
alarm, resistance and exhaustion.
Conclusion - Selye
he suggested the body doesn’t have a specific response to a particular stressor; it has the same response to ALL stressors. He called this the General Adaptation Syndrome.
example studies in Stress
Chandola et al (2008), Wang et al
Aim of Chandola et al (2008)
investigated the link between workplace stress and CHD
Chandola et al conclusion
work stress is a significant indicator of CHD events in those under the age of 50.
measures of stress
FMRI, Pulse oximeter, self-report questionnaires
Wang et al (2005) aim
to use fmri to measure cerebral blood flow changes in response to mild to moderate stress as a result of a maths task
Evans and Wener (2007) conclusion
When people had to sit close to other passengers they experienced adverse reactions. These results are consistent with prior work indicating that individual spacing among persons that leads to personal space invasions is a more salient environmental condition than density per seat.
Holmes & Rahe 1967 aim
To find out if scores on the Holmes & Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale correlated with the subsequent onset of illness.
SRRS (Social Readjustment Rating Scale)
also known as the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale is a tool used to measure stress levels by assessing the impact of various life events. Higher scores on the SRRS suggest a greater likelihood of stress-related health issues.
Holmes and Rahe conclusion
The researchers concluded that as the LCUs were positively correlated with illness scores experiencing life events increases the chances of stress related illness. However
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a therapy for managing stress where you learn to control body functions like heart rate or muscle tension. Sensors provide feedback on a monitor or through sound helping you make changes like relaxing muscles or slowing breathing.
Budzynski et al (1969)
Carried out a study using an analogue monitor to measure muscle tension on the forehead. The forehead is a difficult muscle to relax deeply so the suggestion was that if biofeedback could work effectively for this it would be successful in other muscle relaxation too.
Budzynski et al (1969) conclusion
feedback does significantly reduce the amount of muscle tension in the forehead both initially and throughout the programme.
Imagery
This is visualisation and imagery sometimes called ‘guided imagery’. For this the person must systematically practise creating a detailed mental image of an attractive and restful setting
Aim of the Bridge et al (1998) study
To determine the effect of relaxation and imagery on stress in cancer patients.
Hypothesis of the study by Bridge et al (1998)
Both relaxation and imagery techniques would reduce stress compared to no treatment with the combination being more effective than relaxation alone.
Sample size in Bridge et al (1998)
139 women under 70.
Bridge et al method
- Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control (no treatment), relaxation, or relaxation plus imagery.
- Participants filled out questionnaires assessing their mood at the beginning and end of the six weeks. The treatment groups learned relaxation techniques focused on muscle groups and deep breathing. Each group listened to a daily 15 minute instructional tape and met with a researcher weekly.
- Two questionnaires were used:
o The Profile of Mood States Questionnaire (POMS) assessed mood across various dimensions, providing a total mood disturbance score.
o The Leeds General Scale measured anxiety and depression symptoms, using a four-point scale.
POMS measures
assessed mood across various dimensions, providing a total mood disturbance score.
