1 / 23

Stress and Health

Stress and Health. Chapter 16. Health Psychology. Understand connection between physical & psychological health Understand role of stress Promote disease detection & prevention. Process of Stress. Stressors Stress Mediators Stress Response Life changes Predictability Physical

kamala
Download Presentation

Stress and Health

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Stress and Health Chapter 16

  2. Health Psychology Understand connection between physical & psychological health Understand role of stress Promote disease detection & prevention

  3. Process of Stress • Stressors Stress Mediators Stress Response Life changes Predictability Physical Catastrophic Control Psychological events Coping resources Emotional Daily hassles & methods Cognitive Chronic stressor Social support Behavioral

  4. Stressors • Both pleasant & unpleasant events • Life changes • New circumstances • Catastrophic events • Sudden, potentially life-threatening experiences • Daily hassles • Frequent pressures/annoyances • Chronic stressors • Continue over time

  5. Process of Stress • Stressors Stress Mediators Stress Response Life changes Predictability Physical Catastrophic Control Psychological events Coping resources Emotional Daily hassles & methods Cognitive Chronic stressor Social support Behavioral

  6. Stress Mediators • Individual differences in response to same stressor • Perception of stress • Predictability & control • Coping resources & methods • Problem-focused • Emotion-focused • Social support

  7. Coping • Problem-focused • Altering or eliminating stress • Confronting • Seeking support • Problem-solving • Emotion-focused • Dealing with emotional effects of stress • Distancing • Reappraising • Accepting responsibility • Escaping or avoiding

  8. Coping Examples • Cognitive • Reappraising (“I can manage this”) • Emotional • Support • Behavioral • Time management • Physical • Substance use • Progressive muscle relaxation

  9. Planning to Cope Identify specific stressor(s) & effects (e.g., fatigue) Set goals – what is changeable Planning – specific steps to take Action – implement coping Evaluation – changes as result of coping Adjustment – alter coping if necessary

  10. Coping – Social Support • Social support • Eliminate stressor (e.g., friend helps fix car) • Eases impact (companionship) • Ideas for coping • Effects of support • Reduces emotional stress • Reduces illness

  11. Social Support Causal direction: coping social support Depends on quality of relationship Amount & type of support

  12. Individual Differences in Response • Stress-related illness more common if • “Disease-prone” personality: angry, anxious, depressed • Avoid dealing with stressors • Catastrophize & blame self • Low self-efficacy • Stress-related illness less common if • “Disease-resistant” personality: sociable, optimistic • See stressor as temporary challenge

  13. Process of Stress • Stressors Stress Mediators Stress Response Life changes Predictability Physical Catastrophic Control Psychological events Coping resources Emotional Daily hassles & methods Cognitive Chronic stressor Social support Behavioral

  14. Physical Response • Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) • Sequence • Alarm • Resistance • Exhaustion

  15. Alarm Stage Fight or flight Sympathetic division of autonomic NS Adrenal & pituitary glands

  16. Alarm - Adrenal Gland Hypothalamus stimulates adrenal gland Adrenal gland secretes adrenaline/noradrenaline, which circulate in bloodstream, activating organs Liver, kidneys, heart, lungs Muscle tension, blood sugar, blood pressure

  17. Alarm – Pituitary Gland HPA Axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical) Hypothalamus stimulates pituitary Pituitary secretes hormones (e.g., ACTH) ACTH stimluates adrenal to secrete corticosteroids & pituitary releases endorphins (painkillers) Corticosteroids: release energy supplies & fight inflammation Alarm generates energy If alarm persists, resources can be exhausted

  18. Resistance If stressors persist Body continues to respond but at reduced rate

  19. Exhaustion Physical wear & tear in organs Suppresses immune function Can result in death Selye called diseases caused or worsened by stress diseases of adaptation

  20. Psychological Response • Emotional • Fear, anger, frustration, tension • Behavioral • Affect, posture, escape stressors (quit school), aggression • Cognitive • Decreased concentration, memory, & decision-making • Catastrophizing

  21. Stress & Illness • Immune system • Stress decreases number of “natural killer” cells • Cardiovascular system • Frequent activation of alarm system is linked to • Coronary heart disease • High blood pressure • Strokes

  22. Healthy Behavior Smoking cessation Moderate or no alcohol use Abstinence or safe sex

  23. Health Beliefs Perceive a personal threat Perceive seriousness of threat Perceive specific behavior change will reduce threat Comparison of costs & benefits of behavior change

More Related