Stress and Health PDF
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Hamilton College
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This document provides an overview of stress and health, focusing on the biopsychosocial model. It delves into topics such as the physiological response to stress, health disparities, and the factors that influence health outcomes. The document touches upon historical perspectives, the emergence of health psychology, and its scope.
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tress and Health S Biopsychosocial Model of Health’ Biopsychosocial Model & Stress “A physiological response to an environmental event that is perceived as taxing or even exceeding one’s ability to adapt” Uncertainty Lack of control...
tress and Health S Biopsychosocial Model of Health’ Biopsychosocial Model & Stress “A physiological response to an environmental event that is perceived as taxing or even exceeding one’s ability to adapt” Uncertainty Lack of control Concern with being evaluated and/or being treated negatively by others General Adaptation Syndrome Alarm Stage ○ “Fight or flight” ○ Increased heart rate ○ Palms sweat ○ Release of cortisol and epinephrine ○ Stress resistance is low Resistance Stage ○ Greater cardiovascular support ○ Greater immunological functioning ○ Stress resistance is high (temporarily) Exhaustion Stage ○ Weakened immune system ○ Inability to physically adapt to ongoing stressor ○ Stress resistance is sharp decline Stress, Health, and Demographics Health disparities: Differences in health outcomes due to various demographic characteristics Higher socioeconomic status (SES) is consistently related to better health outcomes. ○ Access to health care, medicine, and other resources There are also known links between SES and healthy behavior Individuals who believe they have lower status than others in the community: ○ Feel less in control of their experiences ○ Report other negative emotions Can prolong body’s response to stress ○ Find it harder to fall asleep at night Have a higher resting heart rate ○ Are at higher risk of obesity What Is Health Psychology? Key Questions What is health psychology? What kinds of questions does a health psychologist ask? Historical Perspective Early explanations: Divine punishment, harmony with nature Later explanations: Genetics, pathogens, injury Modern understanding: Includes social and psychological factors Emergence of Health Psychology Developed over the past 50 years Focuses on positive environments and actions for well-being Interdisciplinary field linking behavior, cognition, and physical health Scope of Health Psychology Investigates risk behaviors, personality traits, and mind-body connections Career opportunities in various fields (medicine, public health, psychology, etc.) Key Health Trends Shift in leading causes of death (e.g., heart disease, infectious diseases) Role of modern lifestyle in health outcomes Importance of behavioral science in public health (e.g., vaccination efforts) Relevance of Health Psychology Addresses complex health puzzles Examines risk factors for various diseases Focuses on promoting healthy behaviors and environments ○ Are more susceptible to illness The Biopsychosocial Model Definition and Overview The biopsychosocial model is a foundational concept in health psychology that recognizes the interconnectedness of biological, psychological, and social factors in health outcomes. Key Components Biological factors Psychological factors Social context Benefits of the Biopsychosocial Approach Allows for targeting multiple factors to create healthier outcomes Enables researchers to address health promotion and disease prevention from various levels of analysis Application Example: Smoking The biopsychosocial model can be applied to understand why people continue to smoke despite known health risks: Biological level: Nicotine addiction and brain reward pathways Psychological level: Rationalizations for continuing to smoke Social level: Influence of social norms and legislation on smoking behavior Integration in Medical Education There is a growing recognition of the need to integrate biopsychosocial perspectives in medical training: Association of American Medical Colleges' 2011 report emphasizing behavioral, psychological, and interpersonal factors Inclusion of behavioral and social sciences in the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) since 2015 Importance in Healthcare The biopsychosocial model promotes better patient care by encouraging physicians to consider complex patterns of social and psychological characteristics that influence health behaviors. 10.3 What is stress Stress: It is a physiological response to some type of environmental event that is subjectively appraised as taxing or even exceeding one’s ability to adapt 10.4 What stresses us out? Catastrophic events major life events disrupt the social safety nets that support our everyday experiences ○ daily hassles Key Concepts in Stress Appraisals 1. Objective Stressors vs. Perceived Stress Objective stressors are environmental factors that can be identified as potentially stressful. Perceived stress is the subjective evaluation of how stressful an event is to an individual. 2. Stress Appraisal Theory Developed by R. S. Lazarus and Folkman (1984, 1999) Focuses on how individuals appraise events and their role in shaping emotional experiences 3. Types of Appraisals Primary Appraisal: Perception of the demands of a situation Secondary Appraisal: Assessment of one's ability to deal with those demands 4. Perceived Stress High perceived stress occurs when primary appraisal (demands) exceeds secondary appraisal (ability to cope) 5. Role of Cognition in Stress Can amplify, mitigate, or trigger stress responses Thinking about stressful events can trigger physiological stress responses Not all objectively stressful events are perceived as stressful by everyone 6. Resilience in Face of Trauma Example: 20-50% of childhood abuse victims show no increase in mental health symptoms Resilience partly due to effective appraisal of negative events and coping strategies Implications Understanding stress appraisals can help in developing more effective stress management techniques and interventions. Individual differences in stress perception highlight the importance of personalized approaches to stress management. The General Adaptation Syndrome: Stages of the Body's Response to Stress Background Hans Selye's accidental discovery in the 1930s at McGill University led to the development of the general adaptation syndrome theory. Stage 1: Alarm Reaction Brain mechanisms are alerted to a threat Initial shock may cause resistance to dip below normal Energy stores are mobilized for fight or flight response Stage 2: Resistance Body's defense systems gear up Cardiovascular support increases to provide oxygen to muscles Immunological functioning is enhanced Growth-oriented processes (e.g., digestion, reproduction) are stalled to conserve energy Stage 3: Exhaustion Marked by inability to physically adapt to ongoing stressor If no relief, adrenal failure can occur Prolonged stress response can be as damaging as the stressor itself Most people rarely experience this stage Significance This model highlights the physiological impact of stress on the body and its potential long-term health consequences if not managed properly. wo Systems of Physiological Response: The SAM and HPA Axes T Introduction The body's response to stress involves two main physiological systems: Sympathetic-adreno-medullary (SAM) axis Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis Stress Response Activation Both systems are activated by the hypothalamus through the release of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Sympathetic-adreno-medullary (SAM) Axis Function Responsible for the body's immediate or acute response to stress. Process Releases epinephrine and norepinephrine from the adrenal medulla Activates the sympathetic nervous system for "fight or flight" response Physiological Changes Increased heart rate Quickened breathing Elevated blood pressure Response Patterns The SAM axis can produce two different cardiovascular patterns: Challenge reactivity: Heart beats faster with greater force and volume; arteries expand Threat reactivity: Increased heart rate and force, but blood vessels constrict Role of Parasympathetic Nervous System Helps restore homeostasis after a stressor has passed by down-regulating the sympathetic nervous system. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) Axis Function Responsible for the body's prolonged response to stress. Process Adrenal cortex releases cortisol into the bloodstream Effects of Cortisol Increases blood sugar for energy Suppresses the immune system by inhibiting inflammation Interaction between SAM and HPA Axes While considered separate systems, the SAM and HPA axes work together: SAM axis: More involved in the cardiovascular response to stress HPA axis: More involved in the immune system's response to stress Health Implications Exaggerated or prolonged response by either system can have negative health consequences. The Impact of Chronic Stress on Health 1. Evolution of Stress Response Stress response evolved for survival in ancestral environments Adaptive for short-term physical threats (e.g., predators, rival clans) Less suited for modern, socially-created stressors 2. Modern Stressors Primarily subjective and socially created Examples: interpersonal conflicts, academic pressures, daily annoyances Often involve rumination and intrusive thoughts 3. Physiological Effects of Chronic Stress Prolonged activation of physiological systems Inability to return to homeostasis Concept of allostatic load: wear and tear on bodily tissues and organs 4. Consequences of Chronic Stress Increased risk of health problems (e.g., ulcers) Accumulation of damage from daily stressors Potential intensification of symptoms 5. Comparison to Animal Stress Animals (e.g., zebras) face periodic acute stress Humans deal with prolonged mental and emotional stress Human stress response less adapted to modern stressors 6. Importance of Stress Management Need for recovery and relaxation periods Importance of addressing chronic stressors Potential benefits of developing resilience through mild stress exposure Gene × Environment Interactions in Health and Stress 1. Diathesis-Stress Model Traditional view of gene-environment interaction Genes provide inherent susceptibility (diathesis) for health outcomes Stressful events trigger latent vulnerabilities Genetic predisposition influences sensitivity to stressors 2. Differential Sensitivities Hypothesis Alternative approach to gene-environment interaction Some individuals are genetically predisposed to be more affected by their environment Sensitive individuals: More impacted by stressful events Benefit more from supportive environments Other individuals are more resilient to environmental influences . Genetic Factors in Environmental Sensitivity 3 Serotonin transporter gene variants: Two short alleles associated with higher environmental sensitivity Increased reactivity to stressful experiences Greater benefit from positive environments 4. Epigenetics Study of how life events change gene expression Stress or lack of caregiving can lead to gene methylation Key findings from rat studies: Neglected pups showed more methylated genes and higher stress reactivity Environmental factors (caregiving) impacted gene expression more than biological parentage Drug treatment could reverse genetic changes and reduce stress levels Conclusion Gene × environment interactions play a crucial role in determining individual responses to stress and overall health outcomes. Understanding these interactions can lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for stress-related health issues.
