Stress

Crowding (environmental factors)

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Differences between allostasis and homeostasis

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HPA axis (How it works)

1. When the threat is perceived, the hypothalamus is activated. 2. The hypothalamus releases cortiocotrophin (CRH) which stimulates the nearby pituitary gland. 3.Pituitary gland in turn secretes a hormone called adrenocorticotropic (ACTH). 4. ACTH travels through the bloodstream and stimulates the adrenal glands (located just above the kidneys). 5. Stimulated adrenal glands secrete many 'stress hormones' including: Adrenaline (aka. epinephrine) Noradrenaline (aka. norepinephrine) Cortisol These boost activity of the sympathetic nervous system (increases heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate - thus allows more oxygen more muscles to have energy to FIGHT/FLIGHT. Cortisol: a hormone that increases metabolism and concentration of glucose in blood to make fuel for our muscles. If prolonged stress, this can weaken the immune system

Transaction

An encounter between an individual and their environment

Appraisal

An individual's interpretation of the stressor and their ability to cope with it.

Meditation

An intentional attempt to bring about a deeply relaxed state in order to reduce one or more effects of stress-related symptoms

Relaxation

Any activity that brings about state of reduced psychological or physiological tension

Stressors

Any person, situation or event that produces stress

Harm/loss.

Assessment during primary appraisal that damage has been done

Neutral/irrelevant/positive-benign

Assessment during primary appraisal that the potential stressor is ^ therefore, not stressful.

Mild stress

Can be stimulating and motivating; elevated level of arousal can enhance performance.

Protective factors (Social factors)

Factors in a person's life, such as stable life, good family, strong social network, that help an individual to face stressors with greater resilience.

Social support

Help or assistance from other people when needed

Physical exercise

Physical activity that is usually planned and performed to maintain one's physical condition

Allostasis

Refers to body's ability to maintain a stable physiological environment by adjusting and changing to meet internal and external demands - in other words, helps our body achieve stability by changing

Aerobic

Sustained increase in oxygen consumption and promote cardiovascular fitness

Allostatic overload

When the demands of the stressor exceed the body's ability to cope

Psychological responses to stress

- Behavioural - Emotional - Cognitive

Limitations of Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

- Difficult to test through experimental research because subjective nature, variability and complexity of human stress response. - Primary and secondary appraisal interact and are often undertaken simultaneously and so it is difficult to isolate them and study them as 2 separate variables. - Psychologists doubt that there is a need to appraise something as causing stress to have a stress response. (eg. we can experience stress without ever having thought about a situation or event. Individual not always conscious of/able to label ALL factors causing them to experience stress response.

Limitations of homeostasis

- Excludes role of cognitive processes (Limited usefulness in explaining human stress response and other states with a psychological nature) - Our body needs to be able to adjust to wider range of internal changes - Some physiological systems in body are not constant → changes help to stabilise body

Strengths of Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

- Other models (e.g HPA axis) focus on involuntary physiological responses and so they may overlook cognitive processes and individual differences This model focuses on psychological determinants of the stress response thus emphasising personal nature and individuality - Much more variability in human stress response and explains why different individuals respond in different ways to the same types of stressors - Model views stress as involving interaction with the environment where the individual has an active role involving personal appraisals of a situation or an event that may be a stressor (personal perspective) - Reappraisal means that model allows for stressors and circumstances under which they occur can change overtime We can change our thinking about the stressful situation and how it affects us as well as adjust our responses to it. - Proposes different methods for managing psychological responses to stressors This enhances understanding of the importance of stress management strategies and programs.

Examples of problem-focussed coping

- Reappraising the stressor by examining it from a new perspective - Obtaining more information about stressor by talking to someone who can help - Redefining the stressor in a way that is more manageable - Learning new skills to effectively manage stressor

Strategies for emotion-focussed coping

- Relaxation - Denial - Avoiding - Acceptance - Distraction - Expecting worse case scenario - Physical exercise

Social readjustments

A change that requires an individual to adjust their lifestyle and established ways of thinking, feeling and behaving would cause stress in varying amounts.

Distress

A negative psychological response to a stressor, as indicated by presence of negative psychological states such as anger, anxiety, irritability, tension

Eustress

A positive psychological response to a stressor, as indicated by presence of positive psychological states such as feeling enthusiastic, excited, active and alert.

Stress

A state of physiological and psychological arousal produced by internal or external stressors that are perceived by the individual as challenging or exceeding their ability or resources to cope.

Lazarus and Folkman's transactional model of stress and coping

A theory that proposes stress involves an encounter ('transaction') between an individual and their external environment, and that a stress response is unique because it depends on the individual's interpretation ('appraisal') of the stressor and their ability to cope with it.

Threat

Assessment during primary appraisal that there is potential for damage (harm/loss).

Challenge

Assessment during primary appraisal that there is potential for personal gain or growth.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback involves a patient being given real-time information about one or more of their autonomic responses (such as heart rate, brainwaves, skin temperature, moisture on skin and muscle tone) and controlling these by psychological means.

Catastrophising

Considered to occur when we dwell on and overemphasise the potential consequences of negative events

Allostatic load

Cumulative exposure to increased secretion of the stress hormones (over weeks, months or years), can lead to 'wear and tear' on the brain and body.

Reappraisal

Determine the extent to which additional resources are needed to cope with the situation.

Appraisal support

Help from another person that improves the individual's understanding of the stressful event and the resources and the coping strategies that may be needed to deal with it. E.g. Talking to friend because u feel stressed and don't know why. Friend helps you identify stressor(s) and ways to cope.

Chronic stress

High level of arousal over long period of time (e.g. VCE: 1-2 years)

Emotional forecasting

In the primary appraisal phase, the person experiences an emotional response to the given situation. In the secondary appraisal phase, the person considers how they will feel when considering each different option. In other words, predicting what feelings the situation will produce.

Secondary appraisal

In the transactional model of stress and coping, an evaluation of our coping options and resources (internal/external) and our options for dealing with the stressful situation

Primary appraisal

In the transactional model of stress and coping, an evaluation of the significance of a potential stressor resulting in a decision that is either irrelevant, benign-positive or stressful.

Information support

Information from people about how to cope with the stressor. E.g. google symptoms/cures for a medical condition. SAC info sheet

Anaerobic

Involves short bursts of muscle activity that can strengthen muscles and improve flexibility

Tangible support

Involves the provision of material support, such as services, financial assistance or goods, that may help offset the effects of stressful event. E.g. When friend lends money

Problem-focused coping

Involves trying to manage or change the cause of the problem (stressor) by using practical strategies. Tends to be used when we believe we have some control over the situation.

Emotion-focused coping

Involves trying to reduce the negative emotional feelings associated with the stressor such as embarrassment, depression, fear or anxiety. Tends to be used when we believe we have little or no control over situation and can't do anything to change circumstances.

Homeostasis

Refers to body's ability to maintain a stable physiological environment by keeping certain bodily conditions constant (eg. body temperature and blood oxygen level)

Acculturation (Cultural factors)

Stress triggered by adapting to the values, customs and language of a new culture. Usually applies to immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers

Emotional support

Targets emotional reactions by reassurance; warmth and nurturance provided by other people can enable a person under stress to be more confident. E.g. "everything will be okay"

Cognitive appraisal

The process through which people evaluate the meaning of a specific event with regards to its personal significance.

Fight-or-Flight response

Triggered by the hypothalamus, it is a state if increased/heightened arousal that occurs when the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is activated. This prepares and mobilises the body to either confront (fight) a sudden and immediate threat or flee (flight) to safety.

Physical exercise can be:

aerobic, anaerobic