Stress Coping & Health

Question 1

Biopsychosocial Model

Answer 1

Physical illness is caused by a complex interaction of biological,
psychological and sociocultural factors.

Question 2

Health Psychology

Answer 2

Interested in how psychosocial factors impact our health and how to prevent and treat diseases.

Question 3

Definition of Stress

Answer 3

Circumstances that threaten, or are perceived to threaten, one’s well being and tax one’s coping skills

Question 4

Primary Appraisal

Answer 4

a person sees how relevant or irrelevant the event is to them and what kind of impact it will have.

Question 5

Secondary Appraisal

Answer 5

an person’s ability to cope with a specific situation

Question 6

Major types of Stress

Answer 6

Fustration - experienced whenever the pursuit of some goal is thwarted

Conflict - happens when you have competing thoughts or desires that don’t work well together.

Change - big changes in your living situation that you need to get used to

Pressure - requires specific behavior based on expectations or demands

Question 7

Types of Conflict

Answer 7

Approach -Approach: least stressful
Avoidance-Avoidance: most stressful
Approach-Avoidance: produces uncertainty

Question 8

Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)

Answer 8

measures life change as a form of stress developed by Holmes & Rahe

Question 9

Responses to Stress - Emotional

Answer 9

Inverted U Hypothesis
- performance improves arousal improves up to an optimal point. Any increase in arousal beyond the optimal point will worsen performance.

Question 10

Responses to Stress - Physiological

Answer 10

General Adaptation Syndrome

Phase 1 - Alarm
Phase 2 - Resistance
Phase 3 - Exhaustion

Question 11

Responses to Stress - Behavioral

In dealing with stress, coping responses:

Answer 11

May be adaptive or maladaptive

Question 12

Brain - Body Pathways

Answer 12

the brain sends signals along 2 pathways.

1. The pathway through the autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls the release of catecholamine hormones, which help mobilize the body for action.
2. The pathway through the pituitary gland and the endocrine system controls the release of corticosteroid hormones, which increase energy and ward off tissue inflammation.

Question 13

Type A personality

Answer 13

• Strong competitive nature
• Time urgency
• Anger & hostility

Question 14

What health risks do Type A’s face?

Answer 14

Increased coronary risk (heart attack) and high blood pressure.