Psychology of Health: Stress and Coping

Questions and Answers

What type of coping involves attempting to change someone's mind?

Escape-avoidance

Positive reappraisal

Self-controlling

Confrontative coping (correct)

Which type of support focuses on providing emotional care and concern?

Appraisal support

Instrumental support

Informational support

Emotional support (correct)

What is the main effects model regarding social support?

It is beneficial regardless of stress levels. (correct)

It reduces stress only in times of crisis.

It only helps individuals with high stress.

It is generally harmful to health.

Which coping strategy involves making a planned approach to dealing with problems?

Planful problem-solving Signup and view all the answers

Which gender is more likely to seek social support according to general trends?

Women Signup and view all the answers

How does the hormone oxytocin influence women in stress situations?

It promotes feelings of affiliation and caregiving. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant risk associated with stress?

Increased likelihood of depression and anxiety disorders. Signup and view all the answers

What is rumination in the context of stress?

Dwelling on past events, often negatively. Signup and view all the answers

Which approach is considered an effective method for managing stress?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about online social networks is true?

They can have both positive and negative effects on stress. Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential consequence of caregiver stress?

Higher risk for developing PTSD. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of caregiver stress on physical health?

Reduced telomere length Signup and view all the answers

What is a common coping strategy mentioned for managing stress?

Using biofeedback techniques. Signup and view all the answers

What factor may influence the relationship between stress and sleep?

Job-related stress. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the primary role of a caregiver?

To manage relentless responsibilities and vigilance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributes to caregiver stress?

Constant demands and hassles Signup and view all the answers

How does caregiver stress relate to emotional health?

It can result in emotional fatigue and burnout Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic associated with caregiver stress?

Infrequent hassles Signup and view all the answers

What might a caregiver experience as a part of their role?

Chronic stress due to relentless demands Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential long-term effect of prolonged caregiver stress?

Negative impacts on physical health Signup and view all the answers

For caregivers, which social factor can exacerbate stress?

Lack of necessary resources Signup and view all the answers

Which coping strategy might NOT be effective for managing caregiver stress?

Avoidant coping Signup and view all the answers

What coping mechanism is often least effective for caregivers dealing with stress?

Ignoring their own needs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding Stress and Coping

Stress arises from perceived threats or demands, impacting the body's system.
The fight-or-flight response and the General Adaptation Syndrome are foundational theories explaining stress response.

Types of Stress

Distress: Negative stress occurring from feeling inadequate to handle situations, leading to adverse health impacts.
Eustress: Positive stress associated with engaging challenges, beneficial for health and related to optimal arousal.

Stress Duration and Impact

Acute stress can evolve into chronic stress, particularly with rumination.
Chronic stressors are characterized by frequency and duration rather than intensity.

Stressful Situations

Common stressors include job roles, caregiving responsibilities, life events, and factors tied to socioeconomic status, gender, and race.

Job stress factors: high demands and low autonomy, effort-reward imbalance, and mismatch between job demands and employee capabilities.

Life Events and Stress Measurement

The Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) assesses life stress without differentiating between positive and negative events.
Frequent minor stressors may cause more stress than rare major life events.

Caregiving and Its Consequences

Caregivers experience relentless responsibilities that can negatively affect physiological markers like telomere length.

Sociological Factors Influencing Stress

Lower socioeconomic status correlates with poor health outcomes, hindered nutrition, and increased exposure to stressors linked to gender and race.

Personal Factors in Stress Experience

Stress proneness linked to Type A personality traits (anger, hostility), and negative affectivity associated with higher susceptibility to stress.

Stress Appraisal

Primary Appraisal: Identifying the threat's magnitude.
Secondary Appraisal: Assessing available resources to cope with the threat.

Coping Mechanisms

Problem-focused coping: Tackling the problem directly.
Emotion-focused coping: Managing emotional responses in stressful situations.
Avoidant coping: Ignoring the issue and emotions related to it.

Coping Strategies and Gender Differences

Women’s stress response may diverge due to oxytocin's role, encouraging caregiving rather than fight-or-flight.
Coping tools include emotional disclosure through journaling and exercise for stress reduction.

Stress and Mental Health

High stress significantly contributes to anxiety, depression, and PTSD, with rumination exacerbating these conditions by prolonging stress responses.

Stress and Sleep

There is a bidirectional relationship between stress and sleep, influenced by job-related stress, digital media use, and shift work.

Stress Management Techniques

Various interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), biofeedback, relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, and pharmacological treatments are crucial for stress management.

Online social networks offer mixed benefits for perceived support, falling short of the positive effects seen in face-to-face interactions.

Future Research Directions

Continued examination of the relationship between stress and health, acute responses leading to chronic diseases, and the design of effective interventions.

Coping Strategies from the Ways of Coping Scale

Confrontative coping: Attempting to persuade the other party.
Distancing: Acting as though an incident didn’t occur.
Self-controlling: Practicing restraint.
Seeking social support: Discussing issues with others.

Additional Coping Mechanisms

Accepting responsibility: Recognizing personal involvement in a problem.
Escape-avoidance: Engaging in escapist behavior, like excessive sleeping.
Planful problem-solving: Creating and following a strategic plan.
Positive reappraisal: Making personal changes in response to stressors.

Four primary types of social support: emotional, instrumental, informational, and appraisal support.
Main Effects Model: Social support generally has a positive influence on well-being.
Buffering Model: Social support can mitigate the negative effects of stress on health.

Gender Differences in Seeking Support

Women tend to seek social support more frequently than men, highlighting a significant gender divide in coping strategies.

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of stress and coping within the context of health psychology. It addresses the differences between distress and eustress, the impact of life events on health, and the importance of social support and coping strategies. Gain insights into the health consequences of stress and how to manage it effectively.