Unit 5a:Men/Phy Health Part 1 Flashcards
(48 cards)
Health Psychology
subfield of psychology that focuses on how biological, social, and psychological factors influence health and illness.
particular interest in:
effects of stress
coping strategies
What is stress?
psychological and physiological response to perceived challenges or threats.
acute (right now)
chronic (ongoing)
Why are we concerned with chronic stress?
while short-term stress may be adaptive (fight or flight),
long-term stress can contribute to :
Hyptertension
Immune Suppression
Hypertension
high blood pressure
Immune Suppresion
the body becomes more susceptible to disease
What causes stress?
Stressors: external or internal events or conditions that cause stress.
enviornmental factors
life events
personal challenges
Eustress
Eustress:
positive form of stress
motivates and energizes
challenges are manageable
Distress
Distress:
negative form of stress
impairs performance
challenges are overwhelming
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years)
can have long-term effects on health, behavior, and life potential.
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
model that describes the body’s response to stress
explains how the body reacts to prolonged or intense stressors, and how chronic stress can impact health.
Alarm Phase
initial phase of GAS, where the body perceives a stressor and activates the fight-or-flight response.
Resistance Phase
body attempts to cope with ongoing stressor; physiological responses stabilize, but energy resources still being depleted.
Exhaustion Phase
body’s resources are depleted, leading to physical/mental exhaustion and increasing the risk of illness and burnout.
Fight/Flight/Freeze Response
perceived threat prompts the body to prepare to:
confront
escape
be still
changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and energy levels
Tend-and-Befriend Theory
suggests that in response to stress, females are more likely to nurture (tending) and socially bond (befriending) in order to cope
this theory is in contrast to the more male oriented fight-or-flight theory.
Problem-Focused Coping
individuals attempt to manage or alter the stressful situation directly by addressing the problem itself.
change the stressor
manage it more effectively
Emotion-Focused Coping
individuals focus on managing their emotional response to the stressor rather than attempting to change the situation itself.
Positive Psychology
the study and promotion of positive aspects of human life, such as happiness, well-being, personal strengths, and resilience.
Well-being
broad term that encompasses the overall state of an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical health.
positive emotions
satisfaction with life
sense of purpose
Gratitude
positive emotion or attitude that involves recognizing and appreciating the good things in life (big or small)
has been linked to:
increased happiness
better relationships
improved health.
Subjective Well-being
person’s self-assessment of their own happiness and life satisfaction.
Important Point! Subjective means according to one’s own perception.
Character Virtues
positive traits or qualities that are valued in individuals and contribute to their moral and ethical character.
Wisdom
Courage
Humanity
Justice
Temperance
Transcendence
Signature Strengths
unique personal traits/strengths that people possess and naturally use in their everyday life.
use of signature strengths in life is associated with higher levels of well-being and fulfillment
Resilience
ability to adapt to and recover from adversity, trauma, or significant sources of stress.
linked to traits such as:
emotional regulation
optimism
social connection
