Stress
Stressful/Threatening Situation
Stress
n
Stress is a nonspecific response of the body to any
demand made on it.
n
Stressors are stimuli that cause stress.
Life Changes as Stressors
n
Life events as stressors.
n
Social Readjustment Rating scale (SRRS, Holmes & Rahe,
1967).
n
Assesses the # of life changes in a period of time and
predicts the likelihood of developing illness
Daily Stress
n
Chronic stressors
n
Hassles:
n
Frustration:
Conflicts
n
Conflicts arise when choosing between incompatible
alternatives.
n
Approach-approach:
n
Avoidance-avoidance:
n
Approach-avoidance:
Effects of Stress
n
n
Increased heart rate, muscle tension,blood pressure
n
Stress and the Immune System
n
Immune system functioning is impaired by exposure to
stress.
n
n
Compromised immune
system may be less able to resist infection and cancer development.
Stress and Serious Illness
n
Cancer is caused by:
Stress and Serious Illness
n
Heart disease is associated with:
n
Buildup of fats in blood vessels; stress increases
this effect.
n
Reducing stress alters
blood cholesterol.
n
n
Type A personalities
Personality and Stress
n
Type A personality
traits include time pressure, anger, and hostility.
Type A
n
1970s:
n
1980s:
n
1990s: Hostile, Angry
n
2000s: Hostile, Depressed
Personality and Stress
n
Hardiness is a personality type that is resistant to
stress.
n
Hardiness involves:
n
n
n
Coping with Stress
n
Coping: managing stress in some effective way
n
n
Resources to Manage Stress
n
Health and energy
n
n
Social skills
n
n
Material resources
n
Locus of Control
n
External Locus of Control: believing that chance
or outside forces beyond one’s control determine one’s fate
n
Internal Locus of Control:
Active Coping Strategies
Other Concerns of Health
Psychologists