Chapter 14 - Stress, Lifestyle and Health

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Questions and Answers

Which factor is most likely to contribute to increased stress levels according to demographic data?

Full-time employment

Being married

Higher education levels

Low income (correct)

What type of stress is defined as causing feelings of fatigue and exhaustion?

Eustress

Acute stress

Cognitive stress

Distress (correct)

What physiological response may be a result of elevated stress levels?

Headaches (correct)

Decreased heart rate

Increased creativity

Improved memory

Which demographic group reportedly experiences the lowest levels of stress?

Retired persons Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between stress levels and performance, according to the stress-performance curve?

Low to moderate stress improves performance. Signup and view all the answers

What does the fight-or-flight response primarily prepare an individual to do?

Either fight or flee Signup and view all the answers

Which stage of the general adaptation syndrome describes the body's immediate response to a stressor?

Alarm Reaction Signup and view all the answers

Which physiological changes did Hans Selye observe in rats that were exposed to prolonged stress?

Adrenal enlargement and lymph node shrinkage Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of the stage of exhaustion in Selye's general adaptation syndrome?

Depletion of physical resources and potential illness Signup and view all the answers

What role does the sympathetic nervous system play in the response to stress?

Triggers arousal through adrenaline release Signup and view all the answers

According to the concepts introduced by Walter Cannon, what is considered a built-in mechanism for survival?

The fight-or-flight response Signup and view all the answers

What is one physiological change that occurs as a result of the fight-or-flight response?

Release of epinephrine Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of cortisol when released during stress?

To provide a boost of energy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following disorders is considered a psychophysiological disorder influenced by stress?

Asthma Signup and view all the answers

What can chronic stress lead to in terms of cardiovascular health?

Increased risk of heart attack Signup and view all the answers

How does stress affect the immune system's function?

It inhibits lymphocyte production Signup and view all the answers

Which field studies the interaction between psychological factors and the immune system?

Psychoneuroimmunology Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible consequence of continuous exposure to cortisol?

Weakened immune system Signup and view all the answers

What is an autoimmune disease?

The immune system attacking healthy cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT affected by stress according to the discussion of psychophysiological disorders?

Common cold Signup and view all the answers

What role does the hypothalamus play in the stress response?

Releases corticotrophin-releasing factor Signup and view all the answers

Which factor significantly increases the likelihood of developing colds among participants?

Chronic stressors lasting more than one month Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary effect of hypertension on the cardiovascular system?

Increased risk of heart disease Signup and view all the answers

What does negative affectivity primarily involve?

Experience of various distressed emotional states Signup and view all the answers

Problem-focused coping is most likely utilized when individuals perceive stressors as?

Controllable and alterable Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects emotion-focused coping?

It modifies the emotional response to stress. Signup and view all the answers

What can chronic stressors potentially lead to besides developing colds?

Hypertension and cardiovascular disorders Signup and view all the answers

Avoidance and minimization can be described as components of which coping style?

Avoidant coping Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is NOT typically associated with hypertension?

Constant fatigue Signup and view all the answers

In the context of managing stress, which strategy would best exemplify problem-focused coping?

Creating a plan to address workplace challenges Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stress

Stress is a term used to describe a variety of unpleasant feelings, such as frustration, anger, conflict, overwhelm, or fatigue.
Stimulus-based definitions define stress as a demanding or threatening event/situation, like a high-stress job.
Response-based definitions focus on physiological responses to demanding or threatening situations.
Neither definition fully encompasses the complexities of stress.

Cognitive Appraisals

Stress is a process where an individual perceives and responds to events they view as overwhelming or threatening to their well-being.
Primary appraisal: judging the potential harm or threat a stressor might entail.
Threat: a stressor that may lead to harm, loss, or negative consequences.
Challenge: a stressor that could lead to gain or personal growth.
Secondary appraisal: judging the options available to cope with the stressor and their effectiveness.
A threat is less stressful if one believes something can be done about it.

Good Stress vs. Bad Stress

Eustress: positive stress that motivates individuals to pursue their interests. Associated with positive feelings, optimal health, and good performance.
Distress: negative stress, leading to feelings of burnout, fatigue, exhaustion, and decreased performance.

Prevalence of Stress

Stress affects almost everyone.
Physiological responses to stress include accelerated heart rate, headaches, and gastrointestinal problems.
Cognitive responses to stress include difficulty concentrating and making decisions.
Behavioral responses to stress include drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking actions to eliminate the cause of the stress.
Nearly half of U.S. adults reported an increase in stress levels over the past five years.

Health Psychology

Health psychology studies the psychological influences on health, illness, and responses to illness.
It explores the connection between stress and illness.
It examines why people make certain health-related decisions. Research includes effective interventions to change behaviors.
It identifies groups at greater risk for negative health outcomes based on psychological or behavioral factors.
Surveys show higher stress levels in women, unemployed individuals, those with less education, lower income, and younger adults.

Early Contributions to the Study of Stress - Walter Cannon

Cannon was one of the first to identify the body's physiological reactions to stress.
His work detailed the fight-or-flight response, a natural response to perceived threats.

Fight or Flight Response

Adrenaline and noradrenaline are released in response to a threatening stressor.
Physiological changes include dilated pupils, increased heart rate, tense muscles, and quickened breathing.

General Adaptation Syndrome - Hans Selye

Selye observed that prolonged exposure to stressors caused consistent physiological reactions in rats.
The general adaptation syndrome describes a three-stage physiological response to stressors:
- Alarm reaction: immediate physiological reaction to a threat; provides energy to handle the situation.
- Resistance: the body adapts to and adjusts to the stressor.
- Exhaustion: the body's resources are depleted, leading to illness or death if the stress continues.

The Physiological Basis of Stress

The sympathetic nervous system triggers arousal in response to stress. This nervous system releases adrenaline.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated by stress, leading to the release of cortisol. Cortisol provides energy but excess cortisol weakens the immune response.

Stress and Illness

Chronic stress and its prolonged physiological reactions can lead to physical wear and tear on the body.
Stress can increase the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, infections, and disease.

Psychophysiological Disorders

Psychophysiological disorders are physical disorders or diseases that are worsened by stress and emotional factors.
Examples include tension headaches, asthma, acne, eczema, hypertension, Irritable bowel syndrome, and coronary heart disease.

Stress and the Immune System

Autoimmune diseases arise when the immune system mistakenly targets the body's own healthy cells.
Stressors can cause immunosuppression, making an individual more susceptible to illness and disease.
Psychoneuroimmunology studies the relationship between psychology and the immune system. Studies have shown that the immune system can be impacted by learned behaviors.
Stress reduces the production of lymphocytes (white blood cells crucial for the immune response).

Study on Stress and Immune Function - Cohen (1998)

A study determined that individuals who reported chronic stress had a higher likelihood of developing colds.

Cardiovascular Disorders

The cardiovascular system is a key target of stress-related physiological changes.
Hypertension, high blood pressure caused by stressors, can strain the heart. Possible outcomes include heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
Stress is linked to cardiovascular disease and negative affectivity.

Coping Styles

Problem-focused coping involves proactively addressing the stressor, such as seeking solutions and weighing options.
Emotion-focused coping involves managing the negative emotions associated with stress, such as avoidance, distancing, or seeking positive comparisons.

Control and Stress

A person's perception of control over a situation plays a large role in how that person responds to stress.
Higher perceptions of control relate to better physical and mental health, greater psychological well-being, and lower reactions to daily stressors.

Social support is a fundamental human need, involving establishing strong, stable relationships with friends, family, or acquaintances.
Strong social support helps individuals cope with stressors, bolster the immune system, and reduce blood pressure.

Stress Reduction Techniques

Exercise, meditation, relaxation, and biofeedback are some techniques for managing stress.

The Pursuit of Happiness

Happiness is a subject of research with various contributing factors.

Elements of Happiness

Enjoying daily pleasures, using skills for enrichment, and contributing to others.

How Happy are People Generally?

Surveys reveal overall happiness varies. In a global sense, some regions/countries report being consistently happier than others.

Factors Influencing Happiness

Age, family/social relationships, money (generally up to $75,000), religion, and culture.

Life Events and Happiness

Major life events can have a significant immediate impact, but typically they level out over time.
People often misjudge the duration of their emotions associated with events.

Positive Psychology

Positive psychology focuses on building human strengths to increase well-being and fulfillment.
It promotes well-being, satisfaction, hope, optimism, happiness, courage, capacity for love, interpersonal skills, aesthetic sensibility, perseverance, forgiveness, compassion, originality, future-mindedness, and flow experience.

Positive Affect and Optimism

Positive affect is a positive psychological state involving feelings like happiness, enthusiasm, and joy.
Optimism is a tendency to look on the bright side, expect good things, and view life's stressors as temporary.

Flow

Flow is a highly engaging experience in which a person gets completely immersed in an activity.
It occurs when an activity requires skills and challenges are optimal, which usually involves concentration and feelings of being lost in the activity.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of stress, including its definitions and cognitive appraisals. Learn about the different ways stress can be perceived and the various responses individuals may have to stressors. Test your understanding of how appraisals can affect stress levels and coping strategies.