Stress Management Module 1 - Psychophysiology

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Questions and Answers

Which physiological change occurs in the body during the fight-or-flight response?

Enhanced digestive processes

Reduced respiration rate

Increased glucose level in blood (correct)

Decreased heart rate

What is a common psychological symptom of stress?

Euphoria

Improved concentration

Burnout (correct)

Increased energy

Which of the following is NOT a physical symptom of stress?

Gastrointestinal upset

Body pain

Fear (correct)

Headache

During the fight-or-flight response, how does the body react in terms of sense perception?

Heightened sensitivity of sense organs Signup and view all the answers

What effect does stress have on respiration during the fight-or-flight response?

Increased speed of respiration Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of stress?

A physiological and emotional response to both negative and positive events. Signup and view all the answers

According to Life-Event Theory, what contributes most to an individual's level of stress?

Frequent, minor stressful events. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Hardiness Theory propose as factors that help in stress management?

Commitment, control, challenge. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of stressor is likely to cause the highest level of stress?

Negative and unexpected stressors. Signup and view all the answers

What role does social support play according to Social Support Theory?

It helps mitigate stress by providing assistance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fight-or-flight response related to?

Stress reactivity. Signup and view all the answers

How are stressors defined?

Stimuli with potential to trigger emotional responses. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of stressor can be characterized as controllable?

Routine work tasks with flexible deadlines. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the hypothalamus in the stress response process?

To stimulate the pituitary gland Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland during a stress response?

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone Signup and view all the answers

What effect do adrenalin and noradrenalin have on the body?

They stimulate the sympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What does the HPA axis refer to?

Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Adrenal Gland Axis Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system?

The end of a stressful event Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a physiological change associated with the fight-or-flight response?

Lower blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

What component of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for the fight-or-flight response?

Sympathetic Nervous System Signup and view all the answers

Which organs are primarily involved in the secretion of hormones during the stress response?

Pituitary gland and Adrenal glands Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Parasympathetic Nervous System?

Calm the body down for routine functions Signup and view all the answers

What is a common example of psychosomatic disease?

Asthma Signup and view all the answers

Which effect is associated with chronic stress according to the content?

Destruction of white blood cells Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the digestive system during the activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System?

It is temporarily deactivated Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is identified as a somatogenic disease?

Cancer Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is NOT associated with the activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System?

Normal blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

How does chronic stress contribute to coronary heart diseases?

It increases cholesterol and blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic symptom of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Experience after a traumatic event Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of PTSD?

Emotional distress Signup and view all the answers

In the Two Factor Model of Stress, what does 'Primary Appraisal' refer to?

Interpretation about the event Signup and view all the answers

What type of stress results in negative outcomes like decreased performance?

Distress Signup and view all the answers

According to Schachter and Singer, which factor is NOT part of the Two Factor Model of Stress?

Emotional Numbing Signup and view all the answers

What does the Yerkes-Dodson Curve suggest about stress and performance?

Moderate stress improves performance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a manifestation of PTSD in children?

Repressive behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is likely to occur if prolonged physiological arousal is not managed?

Stress and illnesses Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is TRUE regarding Eustress?

It can lead to personal growth and enhanced performance Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stress Management Module 1 - Stress and Stress Psychophysiology

Stress is a physiological and emotional response to adverse, negative, or challenging events.
Stress is a natural state of mind caused by an inability to cope with specific demands of an event.
Life-Event Theory (Holmes & Rahe): People who experience major stressful life events show a higher stress level. Routine but frequent stressful events can be more stressful than major events (DeLongis & colleagues). Examples include death of a loved one and daily arguments in a married couple.
Hardiness Theory (Kobasa & colleagues): Hardiness is a state of mind and body that includes commitment, control, and challenge. Hardy individuals view potentially stressful events as challenges rather than threats, reducing stress.
Social Support Theory (Overholser & colleagues): Social support helps cope with events and reduces stress. Support can be emotional, financial, or direct assistance. Low social support increases stress.

Stressors

A stressor is a stimulus with the potential to trigger a fight-or-flight response.
Stressors are subjective and vary between individuals.
Types of stressors:
- Positive vs. negative
- Expected vs. unexpected
- Controllable vs. uncontrollable
- Multiple tasks in a limited time frame.
Negative, unexpected, and uncontrollable stressors cause higher stress levels compared to positive, expected, and controllable stressors.

Stress Reactivity (Fight-or-Flight Response)

Stress reactivity is characterized by a fight-or-flight response.
Fight: Facing an event with courage.
Flight: Avoiding or running from a stressful situation.
Physiological changes occur to mobilize energy, including: increased blood glucose, deactivated digestive process, and increased respiration speed.

Symptoms of Stress

Physical symptoms: blood pressure changes, sugar level issues, headaches, sleep and appetite disturbances, gastrointestinal problems, and body pain.
Psychological symptoms: fatigue, burnout, lack of concentration, and forgetfulness.
Emotional symptoms: fear, worry, sadness, and irritability.
Behavioral symptoms: absenteeism, low performance, substance abuse, and aggression.

Stress Psychophysiology - Brain, Endocrine Glands, and Autonomic Nervous System

Sensory organs (eyes, ears, skin) provide information about stressors.
This information travels to the thalamus and then to the hypothalamus in the brain.
The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland, which controls other glands.
The pituitary gland releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which further stimulates the adrenal glands (located above the kidneys).
The adrenal glands produce adrenaline and noradrenaline. This process is part of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenalin (HPA) axis.
Adrenaline and noradrenaline stimulate the Sympathetic Nervous System (part of the ANS, involved in the fight-or-flight response).
The body mobilizes energy for the fight-or-flight response, leading to various physiological changes.
When the stressor is gone, the Parasympathetic Nervous System (another part of the ANS) returns the body to normal functions, slowing down the previously stimulated systems.

Stress and Illnesses

Psychosomatic diseases are physical symptoms resulting from emotional distress. Examples include headaches, asthma, allergies, ulcers, strokes, and migraines.
Somatogenic diseases are diseases caused by chronic stress, leading to cell degeneration or overgrowth.
Stress weakens the immune system, making the body susceptible to infections and diseases.
Stress-related chronic illnesses: Chronic stress can increase cholesterol levels, clogging blood vessels and causing heart attacks. This can also lead to conditions like coronary heart disease, elevated blood pressure, and higher cholesterol rates.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD develops after exposure to severe traumatic events.
Examples include natural disasters, rape, sexual abuse, accidents, and death of loved ones.
Common symptoms include emotional distress, recurrent flashbacks, ruminative thoughts, emotional numbing, threatening dreams, and regressive behavior (bed-wetting, reenacting the event in play).

Two-Factor Model of Stress (Schachter and Singer)

Stress arises from physiological arousal and cognitive appraisal of the event.
Primary appraisal involves evaluating the event (severity, consequences, past experiences).
Secondary appraisal involves evaluating your own ability to handle the event and available resources.

Eustress and Distress Model

Stress can have positive (eustress) and negative (distress) consequences.
Eustress refers to positive outcomes such as enhanced performance and personal growth.
Distress refers to negative effects like decreased performance, health deterioration, and reduced growth.
Yerkes-Dodson Curve: Moderate amounts of stress (eustress) can improve performance. Excessively high levels of stress (distress) are detrimental.

Goals of Stress Management

The goal isn't to eliminate all stress (stress can be a motivator), but to limit the harmful effects and maintain a good quality of life.

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Description

Explore the fundamentals of stress and its psychophysiological effects through this quiz. Delve into key theories like Life-Event, Hardiness, and Social Support, and understand how these concepts relate to coping mechanisms. Enhance your understanding of stress management strategies.