Slide 1:Chapter 3: Stress & Health Psychology


Stress :Stress Stress is a nonspecific response of the body to any demand made on it Eustress: pleasant, desirable stress as in the stress associated with exercise Distress: is unpleasant stress as in illness Stressors are stimuli that cause stress


Life events can function as stressors… :Life events can function as stressors… Life Change – major events… College Life Stress Inventory Holmes and Rahe developed the Social Readjustment Rating scale (SRRS)


Daily Stress :Daily Stress Some stressors are chronic: Job-related Environmental stressors Hassles are small problems that accumulate to induce major stress Frustration is a negative emotional state associated with a blocked goal Conflicts arise when choosing between 2 incompatible alternatives


Effects of Stress :Effects of Stress The sympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system is activated during stress Increased heart rate and blood pressure Release of adrenaline and cortisol


Stress and the Immune System :Stress and the Immune System Immune system functioning is impaired by exposure to stress This immune response leaves a person susceptible to disease General Adaptation Syndrome (Selye): Stage 1: Alarm Reaction Stage 2: Resistance Stage 3: Exhaustion


Stress and the Immune System :Stress and the Immune System Sympathetic Nervous system linked to immune system Physiological changes due to stress can suppress immune functioning Stress-related hormones increase: Epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol


Personality and Stress :Personality and Stress Type A personality traits include time pressure, anger, being ambitious, and hostility Behavior modification is used to encourage Type A persons to slow down, follow a diet, to exercise, and to avoid cynical hostility


Coping With Stress :Coping With Stress Aerobics Biofeedback Relaxation Daily Meditations Social Support


Coping With Stress :Coping With Stress Aerobics Biofeedback Relaxation Daily Meditations Social Support


Adaptive benefits of stress… :Adaptive benefits of stress… Invigorates our lives by arousing us and motivating us Challenges us Helps us flee immediate external threats Momentary stress produces negligible costs Uncontrollable aggravations may produce considerable costs….


Smoking :Smoking Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States Smoking is a major risk factor for Coronary heart disease Cancer Low birth weight, prenatal death Fire deaths


Causes of Cancer :Causes of Cancer


Binge Drinking :Binge Drinking Binge drinking refers to the consumption of some number of alcoholic drinks in a single session Male: 5 or more drinks Female: 4 or more drinks Approximately 5.1 million Americans could be labeled as binge drinkers Most are college students


Chronic Pain :Chronic Pain Chronic pain involves continuous or recurrent pain over a 6 month or longer period Chronic pain produces Irritation Depression Anxiety Dependence on others


Stress and Serious Illness :Stress and Serious Illness Cancer is affected by psychological factors and leading cause of death for adults in U.S. Exposure to chemicals that cause cancer can be modified by behavior Sleep deprivation can reduce immune function Personality traits can alter stress response Heart disease is associated with the buildup of fats in blood vessels, stress increases this effect Type A personalities (ambitious, time urgent) are more likely to suffer heart disease Reducing stress alters blood cholesterol so as to reduce chance of blood vessel blockage


Resources to Manage Stress :Resources to Manage Stress Health and energy are key aspects to minimize the damage produced by stress Positive beliefs are important for reducing stress impact Social skills lead to social support Social support (network of friends, family) reduces stress impact Material resources can help to minimize the sources and types of stress Personal control allows people to buffer the negative reactions to stress