Stress and Hardiness Concepts

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Questions and Answers

What is hardiness?

Hardiness is a personality trait that is associated with a person's ability to manage and respond to stressful life events.

What does Kobasa argue?

Kobasa argues that people differ considerably in their ability to cope with stressors. She used the term hardiness to describe aspects of personality that make some individuals resistant to the effects of stress.

What are the three main elements of a hardy personality?

The 3 C's: Control, Commitment, Challenge.

What is Control (3 C's)?

It is similar to free will. When an individual feels as though they are in control of their own situation, as opposed to it being controlled by external factors. Signup and view all the answers

What is Commitment (3 C's)?

When an individual is committed to a plan or task, and maintains motivation throughout the completion of the commitment. Signup and view all the answers

What is Challenge (3 C's)?

Challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow for the future - accept the idea that there is going to be stress in your life. Signup and view all the answers

For Kobasa, what does this psychological hardiness act as?

For Kobasa, this psychological hardiness acts as a kind of buffer or protection against the negative effects of stressors. Signup and view all the answers

What does having a hardy personality result in?

Having such a personality will result in lowered physiological arousal when in the presence of stressors, leading to a reduction in stress-related disorders. Signup and view all the answers

What are people who have high scores on hardiness measures less likely to suffer from?

People who have high scores on hardiness measures are less likely to suffer from stress-related psychological and physical disorders. Signup and view all the answers

What are some differences between people high in hardiness and people low in hardiness?

<ul> <li>Hardy people identify stressful circumstances and analyze what can be done to resolve them, while those with low hardiness avoid stress by engaging in distractions. - People high in hardiness get and give social support, while those with low hardiness feel victimized. - People with high hardiness have a healthy lifestyle, whereas those with low hardiness have a poor diet and low exercise levels.</li> </ul> Signup and view all the answers

What were the Procedures in Kobasa's (1979) study?

Six hundred executives and managers completed two questionnaires: one on personality and the other on illnesses and stressful events experienced in the last 3 years. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Results in Kobasa's (1979) study?

High stress/low illness group showed more control, commitment, and acceptance of change as a challenge compared to the high stress/high illness group. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Conclusions in Kobasa's (1979) study?

People with hardy personality characteristics are better able to cope with stress and less likely to suffer from stress-related illness. Signup and view all the answers

What did Maddi et al. do?

Maddi et al. studied employees of a US company that was dramatically reducing its workforce. Two thirds suffered stress-related health problems, while the remaining third thrived and showed evidence of a hardy personality. Signup and view all the answers

Why may there be some concerns about Maddi's study, such as social desirability?

Measuring hardiness relies on self-report measures which can be influenced by social desirability and confusion from various scales used to measure hardiness. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hardiness Overview

Hardiness is a personality trait that enhances an individual’s ability to manage and respond to stress.
It serves as a protective buffer against the negative effects of stressors.

Kobasa's Perspective

Kobasa posits that individuals have varying capacities to cope with stress, introducing the concept of hardiness.
Hardiness encompasses characteristics that contribute to resilience against stress.

Key Elements of Hardy Personality

The 3 C's of hardiness are: Control, Commitment, and Challenge.

Control

Control refers to the perception of having influence over one’s circumstances, rather than being at the mercy of external factors.

Commitment

Commitment involves a strong dedication to goals or tasks, fostering motivation throughout the process.

Challenge

Challenge is viewed as an opportunity for personal growth, recognizing that stress is an inevitable part of life.

Effects of Hardiness

Individuals with high hardiness experience reduced physiological arousal in stressful situations, decreasing the likelihood of stress-related disorders.
Hardy individuals are less likely to suffer from psychological and physical disorders related to stress due to lower cortisol levels.

Differences Based on Hardiness Levels

High Hardiness: Analyze stressors for resolutions, seek and provide social support, maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Low Hardiness: Often avoid stress through distractions, feel victimized by their circumstances, and may neglect health.

Kobasa (1979) Study Methodology

Study involved 600 executives and managers who completed personality questionnaires and documented illnesses/stressful events from the past three years.
Participants were divided into two groups based on their illness scores: high stress/high illness and high stress/low illness.

Kobasa (1979) Findings

Despite both groups reporting high stressful events, the low illness group exhibited traits of hardiness: feeling in control, having a sense of purpose, and viewing change positively.

Kobasa (1979) Conclusions

Individuals embodying hardiness are better equipped to handle stress and face a lower risk of stress-related illnesses.

Supporting Research

Maddi et al. studied employees facing workforce reductions, observing that one-third thrived despite stress, largely exhibiting hardiness traits.

Concerns About Measuring Hardiness

Reliance on self-report measures for assessing hardiness may lead to biases, including social desirability effects.
Variety in hardiness scales can lead to measurement confusion and reduced clarity in findings.

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Description

Explore key concepts on stress and hardiness through flashcards. This quiz delves into how hardiness as a personality trait influences an individual's response to stressful situations. Learn about Kobasa's theories on coping mechanisms and individual differences in stress resistance.